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Fitness · head to head

Lose It! vs StrongLifts

Lose It! logo

Lose It!

Fitness

Lose weight with your friends

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: Lose It! photo-based logging (Snap It) is Premium-only and has inconsistent accuracy; 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: Lose It! covers Calorie counting, StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Lose It! and StrongLifts actually diverge.

Attributes where Lose It! and StrongLifts differ
AttributeLose It!StrongLifts
Pricing modelUnknownFree tier plus subscription
PlatformsiPhone, Android, WebiOS, Android
Founded2008Unknown

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 Lose It!

  • Calorie counting
  • Barcode scanner
  • Meal planning
  • Challenges
  • Progress photos
  • Fitbit
  • Apple Health
  • Google Fit

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.

Lose It!

  • 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 Lose It!
  • Someone wanting automatic weight progression calculated for them rather than manually tracking increasesnot Lose It!
  • A lifter wanting a plate calculator to avoid mental maths loading a barbellnot Lose It!
  • Someone following 5x5 specifically who wants form videos built into the tracking appnot Lose It!

Where each one falls short

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

Lose It!

  • Photo-based logging (Snap It) is Premium-only and has inconsistent accuracy
  • No natural language input for food logging, requires manual database search for every food
  • Limited micronutrient tracking beyond basic macros
  • Lacks built-in meal planning in free tier
  • No artificial intelligence for personalized recommendations

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

Lose It!

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Lose It! review.

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 Lose It! if

  • You need calorie counting.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iPhone, Android, Web.
  • You also want barcode scanner.
Lose It! 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 Lose It! or StrongLifts better?
Neither clearly leads. Lose It! 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, Lose It! or StrongLifts?
Lose It! starts at Free and StrongLifts at Free.
Does Lose It! or StrongLifts run on more platforms?
Lose It! runs on iPhone, Android, Web. StrongLifts runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use Lose It! for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Lose It! best used for?
Lose It! 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 Lose It! do that StrongLifts cannot?
Lose It! covers Calorie counting, Barcode scanner, Meal planning, Challenges. StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking, Automatic progression, Plate calculator, Rest timer.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Lose It!: Can Lose It track macronutrients?

Yes, basic macro tracking is included in the free tier. Advanced macro tracking and meal planning features are available in the Premium tier.

Source
StrongLifts: Is StrongLifts free?

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

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.

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