Comparison

GymNext Flex Timer vs Smart Strength

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

Head to head
About

GymNext Flex Timer

This app offers advanced interval training timing with customizable modes and the ability to control an external LED display. It integrates with wearables and heart rate monitors for a comprehensive workout experience.

Highlights
  • Control external LED displays
  • Multiple customizable timer modes (Tabata, EMOM, etc.)
  • Save and recall favorite workouts
  • Apple Watch control
  • Audio sync with music
  • Heart rate monitor integration
  • Control multiple LED displays
Features
Read full description

Meet the future of interval training. GymNext Flex Timer is the only timer app that combines powerful workout programming with control of large, wall-mounted LED displays—giving you the best of both worlds. Traditional gym timers rely on clunky remotes and are difficult to use. Mobile apps are flexible, but hard to see across the room. Flex Timer solves both. Build and control your workouts from your phone while displaying them on bright, easy-to-read LED screens anywhere in your gym. Perfect for HIIT, CrossFit, circuits, bootcamps, boxing, MMA, strength training, and more. Features: • Use the app on its own or connect to GymNext LED displays for maximum visibility • Core timer modes include Count Up/Down, Round, Tabata, EMOM, Mixed Intervals, and Sets with Rest • Plan your personal workouts or full classes in advance—everything ready in one tap • Share timers with athletes and trainers instantly using simple links • Save workouts to your library for quick access • Control your timer from Apple Watch—completely hands-free • Smart audio sync keeps your music and timer cues perfectly aligned • Connect multiple Bluetooth heart rate monitors and track performance in real time • Set custom heart rate zones for better training feedback • Control multiple timers across your gym at the same time • Run different workouts simultaneously for group training • Reliable Bluetooth control with no line-of-sight limitations “This will eventually become the standard for all gyms” – Garage Gym Reviews “All our coaches love the clock” – CrossFit Barrie “We love it to death” – Wolverine Strength & Conditioning Download Flex Timer and upgrade the way you train. We’re always improving. Have feedback? Reach us at support@gymnext.com

About

Smart Strength

This AI-powered strength training app generates personalized workout programs based on your equipment, schedule, and experience. It adapts as you progress, offering smart suggestions for weight and logging your workouts and nutrition in natural language.

Highlights
  • AI-generated personalized workout programs
  • Adaptive progression based on logged workouts
  • Smart weight suggestions
  • Natural language nutrition logging
  • Progress tracking with PR detection
  • AI-powered insights on training and recovery
  • Integrations with Whoop, Renpho, and Strava
Features
Read full description

Smart Strength is the training app for clients of the SmartStrength coaching team. Your coach builds your program. You open the app and train. Every program is written by a real coach: Tom Sovocool and his trainers. They set your exercises, sets, reps and notes each week, see what you logged, and adjust from there. YOU GET • Your weekly program from your coach, with demo videos for every exercise they assign • Set by set workout logging with a timer and your numbers from last time • Speak or type your meals ("1 cup oatmeal with banana") and the macros log themselves • Progress tracking with PRs and trends • Weekly insights that connect your training, nutrition and recovery • Whoop, Renpho and Strava integrations • Works offline in the gym and syncs when you are back online HOW IT WORKS 1. Create your account and tell us your goal, schedule, equipment and any limitations. 2. Look through a sample week while your coach sets you up. 3. Your coach adds you and publishes your program. 4. Log each workout. Your coach sees it and leaves feedback. NOT WORKING WITH A COACH YET? You can still create an account, browse a sample week, and use nutrition and progress tracking. To get a program, get in touch with the SmartStrength team. PRICE Smart Strength is free. There is nothing to buy in the app. If you still have a subscription from before September 2026, you can cancel it in iOS Settings, Apple ID, Subscriptions. SUPPORT Email: support@brainbuilder.io Privacy: https://smartstrength.brainbuilder.io/privacy Terms: https://smartstrength.brainbuilder.io/terms Medical disclaimer: https://smartstrength.brainbuilder.io/medical-disclaimer

Screenshots

GymNext Flex Timer4 screens
Smart Strength4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: GymNext Flex Timer at free against Smart Strength's free with in-app purchases. GymNext Flex Timer also leads on ratings volume (2.1K vs 1). Smart Strength's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. GymNext Flex Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Smart Strength sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smart Strength holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GymNext Flex Timer has 2.1K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GymNext Flex Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, Smart Strength weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
GymNext Flex Timer versus Smart Strength: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGymNext Flex TimerSmart Strength
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (2.1K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews71.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.1K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size185 MB2 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperHomick EnterprisesBrain Builder

Customer experience

GymNext Flex Timer

All ratings2,119 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.1%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews173 reviews
Positive71.7%
Neutral6.4%
Negative22.0%

Smart Strength

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

GymNext Flex Timer

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Saved timers not consistently loading
  • Segmented timers not saving properly

Requested features

4 requests
  • Watch app integration for remote control
  • Background audio playback when app is closed
  • Customizable voice options
  • Lap timer functionality

Smart Strength

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

GymNext Flex Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Flex Timer Pro Monthly7 Days trial$8.991 Month
  • Flex Timer Pro Yearly1 Month trial$79.991 Year
1 purchases

Smart Strength

Subscriptions1
  • Smart Strength Pro7 Days trial$5.991 Month

Questions

Is GymNext Flex Timer free?
GymNext Flex Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart Strength free?
Smart Strength is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GymNext Flex Timer or Smart Strength?
Smart Strength is rated higher. GymNext Flex Timer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.1K ratings, while Smart Strength averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do GymNext Flex Timer or Smart Strength have ads?
Neither GymNext Flex Timer nor Smart Strength shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GymNext Flex Timer or Smart Strength?
GymNext Flex Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, and Smart Strength weekly. Most recently, GymNext Flex Timer was updated on October 13, 2026 and Smart Strength on October 14, 2026.

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