Comparison

GymNotes vs Forward

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side โ€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

GymNotes

Features
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Gym Notes is a simple and powerful workout log and gym tracker that can help you track your workouts without any hassle. If you are looking for a quick and minimal workout tracker that can also work offline, then look no further. The best part about this workout tracker is that it lets you log your workouts quickly. Unlike other workout trackers, this one does not ask you to fill out any forms. You can simply type your workout like a note and save it instantly. This is a simple workout log that can help you track your workouts. Using this workout tracker, you can: Track your workouts using text input Track your sets, reps, weight, and bodyweight exercises It can work as a workout log, gym tracker, and workout diary Track your strength progress and workout volume Track your workout history using date Track your personal records for every exercise The workout tracker is compatible with any workout type. Whether you are doing strength training, hypertrophy training, bodyweight training, or any other type of workout, this workout tracker can help you track your workouts. You can do squats, push-ups, weight training, and any other workout using this workout tracker. The built-in analytics also help you track your progress over time. You can view your workout volume, strength gains, and personal bests without any setup required. This makes Gym Notes a powerful yet simple fitness tracker. Gym Notes can be used completely offline. No account required, no ads, no subscription. Your data stays on your device, making Gym Notes a private yet lightweight fitness app. Gym Notes is built for fitness enthusiasts who want speed and simplicity in their gym app. We replace slow and complicated gym apps with a fast and simple experience. Have you ever used a notes app to track your workouts? Then you'll love Gym Notes. Gym Notes โ€“ Workout Log & Fitness Tracker โ€“ Download Now.

About

Forward

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Log a set in one tap. Forward is a gym workout tracker for lifters who run rotating splits, so your training never drifts across the week. FASTER LOGGING - Sets arrive pre-filled from last time, so one tap logs each one - A custom keypad built for numbers, not a fiddly system keyboard - Warm-up, drop and failure set types, one tap away - A rest timer that starts itself and lives in the Dynamic Island ROTATING SPLITS, DONE RIGHT - Training 3 on, 1 off? Your split advances when you FINISH a session, so it never drifts across weekdays like calendar-based apps - Build any rotating or weekly split, PPL, upper lower, full body, with rest days - Reorder days and exercises whenever your plan changes SEE REAL PROGRESS - Automatic personal records and estimated 1RM - Trend charts for every exercise - Per-muscle volume so you can balance your training - Body weight tracking - Streaks, weekly goals and achievements BUILT FOR THE GYM FLOOR - First-class supersets - Plate calculator - Warm-up ramp generator - Per-exercise notes for your own cues BRING YOUR HISTORY - Import your workout log from another tracking app with a CSV file - Export your whole history to CSV any time. Your data is yours PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your workouts are stored on your iPhone. There is no account to create, no servers, no analytics, no ads, and nothing is ever sold or shared. Keep iPhone Backup on and your history moves with you to a new phone. Free, with every feature unlocked.

Screenshots

GymNotes3 screens
Forward4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: GymNotes at every 2 days against Forward's every 9 days. GymNotes also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price ยท Rating ยท Positive reviews ยท Number of ratings ยท Update frequency ยท Ads ยท In-app purchases ยท Monetization ยท Best chart rank ยท Devices ยท Requires iOS

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GymNotes ships an update every 2 days, Forward every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
GymNotes versus Forward: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGymNotesForward
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 days โ€” betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 โ€” better17.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size19 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOra TechnologiesLinga Reddy Gudisha

In-app purchases

None

GymNotes

No in-app purchases

None

Forward

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GymNotes free?
GymNotes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Forward free?
Forward is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do GymNotes or Forward have ads?
Neither GymNotes nor Forward shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GymNotes or Forward?
GymNotes ships an update every 2 days, and Forward every 9 days. Most recently, GymNotes was updated on October 6, 2026 and Forward on October 11, 2026.

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