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Fitness · head to head

StrongLifts vs WellnessLiving

StrongLifts logo

StrongLifts

Fitness

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
WellnessLiving logo

WellnessLiving

Fitness

All-in-one fitness & wellness software

From
$89/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only StrongLifts has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: 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.; WellnessLiving the Starter plan at $69 per month allows only one staff member; unlimited staff requires the Business plan at $199 per month
  • They diverge on capability: StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking, WellnessLiving covers Appointment scheduling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which StrongLifts and WellnessLiving actually diverge.

Attributes where StrongLifts and WellnessLiving differ
AttributeStrongLiftsWellnessLiving
Starting priceFree$89/month
Pricing modelFree tier plus subscriptionsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Api
FoundedUnknown2012

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 StrongLifts

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

Only in WellnessLiving

  • Appointment scheduling
  • Class booking
  • Membership management
  • Point of sale
  • Marketing automation
  • Client mobile app
  • Staff management
  • Business analytics

What people use each for

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

StrongLifts

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

WellnessLiving

  • Class and appointment booking for gyms, studios and wellness businessesnot StrongLifts
  • Membership billing, point of sale and credit card processingnot StrongLifts
  • Client-facing branded booking app and automated remindersnot StrongLifts

Where each one falls short

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

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.

WellnessLiving

  • The Starter plan at $69 per month allows only one staff member; unlimited staff requires the Business plan at $199 per month
  • The advertised $39 and $69 per month figures for Business and BusinessPro are an 80% discount that lasts 2 months, after which the rate is $199 and $349
  • Marketing, rewards and loyalty, events scheduling and lead management are all excluded from the Starter plan
  • The white label client app requires BusinessPro at $349 per month
  • Multi-location reporting, cross-location visits, a parent or HQ account and a dedicated account manager are Enterprise only
  • Enterprise is call-us with no published price
  • The 10% annual saving requires paying annually
  • Every plan, including Starter, routes through Get a demo rather than self-serve signup

Pricing, plan by plan

StrongLifts

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

WellnessLiving

$89/month
  • Basic$89/month
    • Scheduling & booking
    • Client management
    • POS
  • Advanced$129/month
    • Everything in Basic
    • Automation
    • Reviews management
  • Professional$199/month
    • Everything in Advanced
    • White-label app
    • FitVID on Demand
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Everything in Professional
    • Multi-location
    • Custom development

Which should you pick?

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

Choose WellnessLiving if

  • You need appointment scheduling.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want class booking.
WellnessLiving review

Questions people ask

Is StrongLifts or WellnessLiving better?
Neither clearly leads. StrongLifts starts at Free and WellnessLiving at $89/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, StrongLifts or WellnessLiving?
StrongLifts has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for StrongLifts and $89/month for WellnessLiving.
Does StrongLifts or WellnessLiving run on more platforms?
StrongLifts runs on iOS, Android. WellnessLiving runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
Can I use StrongLifts for free?
Yes. StrongLifts has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. WellnessLiving starts at $89/month.
What is StrongLifts best used for?
StrongLifts is most often used for a beginner lifter wanting a structured, proven barbell programme rather than designing their own, someone wanting automatic weight progression calculated for them rather than manually tracking increases, a lifter wanting a plate calculator to avoid mental maths loading a barbell, someone following 5x5 specifically who wants form videos built into the tracking app. Of those, a beginner lifter wanting a structured, proven barbell programme rather than designing their own and someone wanting automatic weight progression calculated for them rather than manually tracking increases are not what WellnessLiving is typically brought in for.
What can StrongLifts do that WellnessLiving cannot?
StrongLifts covers 5x5 programme tracking, Automatic progression, Plate calculator, Rest timer. WellnessLiving covers Appointment scheduling, Class booking, Membership management, Point of sale.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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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