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Fitness · head to head

Hevy vs StrongLifts

Hevy logo

Hevy

Fitness

Workout tracker and gym log

From
Free
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

  • Each has a real cost: Hevy free tier severely limited to 4 routines and 7 custom exercises, requiring Pro subscription for most users; 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: Hevy covers Workout tracking, StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Hevy and StrongLifts actually diverge.

Attributes where Hevy and StrongLifts differ
AttributeHevyStrongLifts
Pricing modelUnknownFree tier plus subscription
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, Apple Watch, WearOSiOS, Android
Founded2019Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Hevy

  • Workout tracking
  • Social feed
  • Progress photos
  • Personal records
  • Exercise library
  • Apple Health
  • Google Fit
  • Apple Watch

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.

Hevy

  • Workout trackingnot StrongLifts
  • Nutrition managementnot StrongLifts
  • Health monitoringnot StrongLifts
  • Fitness coachingnot StrongLifts
  • Wellness improvementnot StrongLifts

StrongLifts

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

Where each one falls short

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

Hevy

  • Free tier severely limited to 4 routines and 7 custom exercises, requiring Pro subscription for most users
  • Strava integration is one-way only, preventing synchronization of Strava activities back into Hevy
  • Social features are basic compared to dedicated social fitness communities, limited to workout feeds and comments
  • No built-in nutrition or diet tracking, complementary to but separate from full fitness platforms
  • Limited coaching and AI programming features compared to alternatives like Fitbod or Boostcamp

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

Hevy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited workout logging
    • Full exercise library (200+ videos)
    • Progress charts and personal records
  • Pro$2.99/month
    • All Free features
    • Unlimited routines
    • Unlimited custom exercises

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 Hevy if

  • You need workout tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Apple Watch, WearOS.
  • You also want social feed.
Hevy 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 Hevy or StrongLifts better?
Neither clearly leads. Hevy starts at Free and StrongLifts at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Hevy or StrongLifts?
Hevy starts at Free and StrongLifts at Free.
Does Hevy or StrongLifts run on more platforms?
Hevy runs on iOS, Android, Web, Apple Watch, WearOS. StrongLifts runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Hevy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Hevy best used for?
Hevy is most often used for workout tracking, nutrition management, health monitoring, fitness coaching. Of those, workout tracking and nutrition management are not what StrongLifts is typically brought in for.
What can Hevy do that StrongLifts cannot?
Hevy covers Workout tracking, Social feed, Progress photos, Personal records. StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking, Automatic progression, Plate calculator, Rest timer.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Hevy: Is Hevy completely free or does it have a paid tier?

Hevy has a free tier and a paid Pro tier. The free version includes unlimited workout logging and access to the full exercise library but is limited to 4 routines, 7 custom exercises, and 3 months of data history. Hevy Pro costs $2.99 per month, $23.99 per year, or $74.99 lifetime and removes these limits while adding advanced analytics and custom routine sharing.

Source
StrongLifts: Is StrongLifts free?

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

Hevy: What features does Hevy include for workout logging and progress tracking?

Hevy provides automatic rest timers, RPE tracking, one-rep max calculations, exercise performance charts, body measurement tracking, progress photos, and an exercise library with over 200 exercise videos. The app supports warmup calculators, drop sets, failure tracking, and note-taking on workouts.

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.

Hevy: Does Hevy work on Apple Watch and other devices?

Yes, Hevy is available on iOS and Android phones and tablets. It also supports Apple Watch and WearOS for basic workout logging and tracking. Additionally, Hevy has a web/desktop version for managing routines and viewing progress data.

Source
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.

Hevy: What integrations does Hevy support?

Hevy integrates with Apple Health to sync your workouts and fitness data. It also supports Strava integration, though the sync is one-way only: Hevy can send workouts to Strava, but Strava workouts will not be reflected back in Hevy.

Source
Hevy: Can I share workouts and interact with other users in Hevy?

Yes, Hevy has social features including the ability to follow other athletes, view their workouts, like and comment on workouts, and save routines created by other users. The app maintains a social feed and leaderboard features, though these are more limited compared to dedicated social fitness platforms.

Source
Hevy: Does Hevy have an offline mode for gym workouts?

While Hevy is primarily a cloud-based app, the search results do not provide explicit documentation about offline logging capabilities. The app requires syncing to log workouts and access progress data.

Source
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