Almost every lifting app calls itself free. Most of them mean "free until you want a fourth routine or a chart older than three months." I'm the developer of Gymgress, which is free with no Pro tier, so I have a stake here. Below is what "free" actually means for the popular trackers, so you can pick without getting paywalled mid-program.
What "free" means in each app
| App | What free includes | What costs money |
|---|---|---|
| Gymgress | Everything: unlimited routines, full history, PRs, stats, friends, leaderboard, clubs, challenges, chat | Nothing. No Pro tier as of September 2026. |
| Strong | Unlimited logging, 3 routines, basic history | Unlimited routines, advanced stats and 1RM charts. $4.99/mo, $29.99/yr, $99.99 lifetime |
| Hevy | Logging, 4 routines, 7 custom exercises, feed, basic charts | More routines and custom exercises, full-range graphs. $2.99/mo, $23.99/yr, $74.99 lifetime |
| Fitbod | 3 trial workouts | Everything after the trial. Roughly $13/mo or $80/yr |
Prices from App Store listings and a July 2026 check. They move, so confirm before you buy.
The questions to ask before you commit
1. Is my log ever locked?
The worst version of freemium is when your own history goes behind a paywall. Strong, Hevy and Gymgress all let you keep logging for free forever. Fitbod does not. Whatever you pick, make sure the answer is "never".
2. How many routines do I actually need?
If you run one program with an upper and lower day, Strong's three-routine limit is fine. If you rotate blocks, or you write a plan for each friend you train with, you'll hit Strong's and Hevy's caps inside a month. Gymgress has no cap.
3. Are the stats free?
Progress charts and estimated 1RM are the reason to log at all. Strong puts advanced stats behind Pro. Hevy limits graphs to a three-month window on free. Gymgress shows PR history, strength progress, muscle breakdown, monthly and lifetime stats to everyone.
4. Does it make money some other way?
A truly free app has to be paid for somehow. Gymgress is a student project; it costs me a small hosting bill and I'm fine with that while it grows. There are no ads, no analytics SDKs and no data selling, which you can verify in the privacy policy. If a free app has an ad SDK, you are the product.
Why Gymgress has no Pro tier
I built it for my own lifting group because our "tracking" was screenshots in a group chat. The point of the app is the group: friends feed, Rankings leaderboard, clubs and challenges, group chat. Those only work if everyone in the group is on it, and a paywall is the fastest way to lose half the group. So it's free, and the goal for now is users, not revenue.
What you give up with Gymgress
It's iPhone only, there's no Apple Watch app yet, and it launched in September 2026. If you need Android or a Watch app today, Hevy's free tier is the next best thing. Full comparison: Gymgress vs Strong vs Hevy.
Free · iPhone · no subscription, no paywall
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Strong, Hevy and Fitbod are trademarks of their respective owners and are not affiliated with Gymgress.