Softwr

Fitness · head to head

ABC Fitness vs StrongLifts

ABC Fitness logo

ABC Fitness

Fitness

Complete fitness business solutions

From
$150/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
StrongLifts logo

StrongLifts

Fitness

5x5 barbell strength training app built around a fixed beginner programme, sold as a subscription

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only StrongLifts has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ABC Fitness split across separate products by business type, so ABC Ignite, Glofox, Trainerize and Evo are different systems rather than tiers of one; StrongLifts it is built around one specific programme, so once a lifter progresses beyond what 5x5 is designed for and stalls, the app's core structure no longer fits their needs and they typically need a different programme entirely.
  • They diverge on capability: ABC Fitness covers Payment processing, StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ABC Fitness and StrongLifts actually diverge.

Attributes where ABC Fitness and StrongLifts differ
AttributeABC FitnessStrongLifts
Starting price$150/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionFree tier plus subscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Android, WebiOS, Android
Founded1981Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Fitness).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ABC Fitness

  • Payment processing
  • Member management
  • Data analytics
  • Marketing automation
  • Mobile check-in
  • Salesforce
  • Mindbody
  • Mailchimp

Only in StrongLifts

  • 5x5 programme tracking
  • Automatic progression
  • Plate calculator
  • Rest timer
  • Form videos
  • Workout history

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ABC Fitness

  • Membership management and billing for gyms and health clubsnot StrongLifts
  • Boutique studio scheduling and class booking through Glofoxnot StrongLifts
  • Personal training programme delivery through Trainerizenot StrongLifts
  • Failed payment recovery and dues collectionnot StrongLifts
  • Multi-location and franchise operationsnot StrongLifts

StrongLifts

  • A beginner lifter wanting a structured, proven barbell programme rather than designing their ownnot ABC Fitness
  • Someone wanting automatic weight progression calculated for them rather than manually tracking increasesnot ABC Fitness
  • A lifter wanting a plate calculator to avoid mental maths loading a barbellnot ABC Fitness
  • Someone following 5x5 specifically who wants form videos built into the tracking appnot ABC Fitness

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ABC Fitness

  • Split across separate products by business type, so ABC Ignite, Glofox, Trainerize and Evo are different systems rather than tiers of one
  • ABC Evo is sold for Latin American markets rather than globally
  • GymSales and XLerate are separate products on top of the core management system
  • Pricing is not published

StrongLifts

  • It is built around one specific programme, so once a lifter progresses beyond what 5x5 is designed for and stalls, the app's core structure no longer fits their needs and they typically need a different programme entirely.
  • Full functionality requires a paid subscription, and the free tier is limited enough that serious use of the programme effectively requires paying.
  • It offers little flexibility for customising exercises or set schemes compared with general-purpose workout loggers, since flexibility is not the point of the product.
  • 5x5 as a method is not suited to every body or goal, for example it is not designed for hypertrophy-focused or advanced lifters, and the app does not steer users away from it once it stops being appropriate.
  • Subscription billing continues after a user has outgrown the programme unless actively cancelled, which is a common pattern across fitness app subscriptions generally.

Pricing, plan by plan

ABC Fitness

$150/month
  • Core$150/month
    • Billing
    • Member management
    • Basic reports
  • Complete$350/month
    • Full platform
    • Marketing
    • Analytics

StrongLifts

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Limited programme access and logging
  • StrongLifts Premium$undefined/month
    • Full 5x5 programme access
    • Custom plate settings
    • Expanded workout history and stats

Which should you pick?

Choose ABC Fitness if

  • You need payment processing.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want member management.
ABC Fitness review

Choose StrongLifts if

  • You need 5x5 programme tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android.
  • You also want automatic progression.
StrongLifts review

Questions people ask

Is ABC Fitness or StrongLifts better?
Neither clearly leads. ABC Fitness starts at $150/month and StrongLifts at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ABC Fitness or StrongLifts?
StrongLifts has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $150/month for ABC Fitness and Free for StrongLifts.
Does ABC Fitness or StrongLifts run on more platforms?
ABC Fitness runs on Ios, Android, Web. StrongLifts runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use StrongLifts for free?
Yes. StrongLifts has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ABC Fitness starts at $150/month.
What is ABC Fitness best used for?
ABC Fitness is most often used for membership management and billing for gyms and health clubs, boutique studio scheduling and class booking through glofox, personal training programme delivery through trainerize, failed payment recovery and dues collection. Of those, membership management and billing for gyms and health clubs and boutique studio scheduling and class booking through glofox are not what StrongLifts is typically brought in for.
What can ABC Fitness do that StrongLifts cannot?
ABC Fitness covers Payment processing, Member management, Data analytics, Marketing automation. StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking, Automatic progression, Plate calculator, Rest timer.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ABC Fitness: How do I find out ABC Fitness pricing?

ABC Fitness does not publish pricing online. Interested gym and fitness club operators must request a demo or contact the sales team to discuss pricing tailored to their club's size and features required.

Source
StrongLifts: Is StrongLifts free?

There is a free tier with limited access; full programme features require a paid subscription.

ABC Fitness: What does ABC Fitness software help fitness clubs accomplish?

ABC Fitness is designed to help fitness clubs get more members and keep more members through management tools and member engagement capabilities.

Source
StrongLifts: Is this the same as the Strong app?

No, Strong is a general-purpose workout logger for any routine; StrongLifts is built specifically around the 5x5 programme.

StrongLifts: Who is 5x5 suited for?

Primarily beginner to early-intermediate lifters building a strength base; it is not designed as a long-term or advanced programme.

Share

Related pages

More on ABC Fitness

More on StrongLifts

Keep looking

Other head to heads