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Fitness · head to head

Noom vs StrongLifts

Noom logo

Noom

Fitness

Psychology-based weight loss

From
$17/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: Noom coaches deliver automated, canned responses without personalization and most lack formal qualifications as registered dietitians; 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: Noom covers Psychology-based curriculum, StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Noom and StrongLifts actually diverge.

Attributes where Noom and StrongLifts differ
AttributeNoomStrongLifts
Starting price$17/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownFree tier plus subscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidiOS, Android
Founded2008Unknown

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 Noom

  • Psychology-based curriculum
  • Personal coaching
  • Food color system
  • Progress tracking
  • Community groups
  • Apple Health
  • Google Fit
  • Fitbit

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.

Noom

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

Where each one falls short

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

Noom

  • Coaches deliver automated, canned responses without personalization and most lack formal qualifications as registered dietitians
  • App crashes and freezes frequently with issues saving data, and barcode feature for food tracking malfunctions
  • Food database requires tedious manual data entry even for common items, discouraging consistent logging
  • Difficult cancellation process requiring navigating multiple steps to opt out of auto-renewal
  • FTC settlement in 2022 for $62 million over misleading auto-renewal and refund practices

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

Noom

$17/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Noom 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 Noom if

  • You need psychology-based curriculum.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want personal coaching.
Noom 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 Noom or StrongLifts better?
Neither clearly leads. Noom starts at $17/month and StrongLifts at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Noom or StrongLifts?
StrongLifts has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $17/month for Noom and Free for StrongLifts.
Does Noom or StrongLifts run on more platforms?
Noom runs on Web, iOS, Android. StrongLifts runs on iOS, Android.
Can I use StrongLifts for free?
Yes. StrongLifts has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Noom starts at $17/month.
What is Noom best used for?
Noom 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 Noom do that StrongLifts cannot?
Noom covers Psychology-based curriculum, Personal coaching, Food color system, Progress tracking. StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking, Automatic progression, Plate calculator, Rest timer.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Noom: What are Noom's pricing plans?

Noom Weight app costs approximately $70 per month on a monthly plan, $42 per month on a 4-month plan, or $209 upfront for an annual plan (roughly $17 per month). A 14-day free trial is offered but auto-converts to paid subscription if not canceled.

Source
StrongLifts: Is StrongLifts free?

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

Noom: What does Noom's coaching include?

Noom provides access to human coaches for weekly check-ins, daily psychology-based lessons, interactive challenges, and food and weight tracking. Coaching is included in all paid tiers.

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.

Noom: How does Noom's food color system work?

Noom categorizes foods using a color system based on caloric density: green (low calorie density), yellow (moderate), and red (high calorie density). This encourages behavioral changes in eating habits rather than strict dieting.

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.

Noom: What other programs does Noom offer?

Beyond Noom Weight, Noom offers five additional programs including Noom Med, a telehealth service with pricing ranging from $17/month for coaching to $279/month for GLP-1 medication plans with licensed clinicians.

Source
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