Choose the Strong app if you want a logbook: you write the routines and pick the weights, on iPhone, Android or Apple Watch. Its free version saves unlimited workouts and 3 routines of your own; Strong PRO is $29.99 a year on the US App Store. Choose RIGOR if you want the plan made for you, with the next target for every lift set by a written rule. RIGOR is iPhone only, has no free plan and costs $59.99 a year.
Side by side
Every line about Strong was read on its own site, its help centre or its US App Store listing on 10 October 2026, and links there. Strong's site gives no price, so the prices are the App Store's, in US dollars; Google Play shows only a range.
| RIGOR | Strong | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 a year or $9.99 a month | PRO is $29.99 a year or $4.99 a month; the listing also shows Strong PRO Forever at $99.99 and at $79.99 |
| Free version | No. The yearly plan starts with 7 days free | |
| Runs on | iPhone | |
| Who builds the plan | RIGOR, from your goal, your days, your session length and your gym | You. A template saves a workout to repeat |
| Who sets the next weight | RIGOR's rules, after every workout, with the reason shown | You. Strong's pages describe no rule that sets it |
| Plates and warm-up sets | Both worked out for you | A plate calculator and a warm-up calculator, both on PRO |
| Export | No |
What a week looks like in each
In the Strong app the week is yours to write. Its help centre describes a workout as a list you build: start empty or from a template, add exercises and sets, type the weight and reps. Afterwards Strong can update the template with the numbers you used. What goes up, and when, is your call: its page on how to train says "you are always in control".
RIGOR works the other way round. It asks your goal, your days, your session length and your gym, builds the plan, and after each workout sets the next target for every lift.
In Strong
- Write a template, or start an empty workout.
- Type the weight and reps for each set; you choose them.
- Save the numbers to the template for next time.
In RIGOR
- Tell it your goal, your days and your gym.
- Open today's workout; every target is set.
- Log it; the rules set next time and show why.
For a logbook that also builds the program, see RIGOR vs Hevy; for a new workout each session, RIGOR vs Fitbod.
RIGOR is a strength training app for iPhone that builds your plan and sets every weight by rules you can read.
YOUR IPHONE
Where Strong is better
On price, on reach and on freedom.
- A free version. Strong logs unlimited workouts for free, and its help centre says it always will. In RIGOR, starting a workout needs the subscription.
- Price. Strong PRO is $29.99 a year against $59.99, and the listing shows a Strong PRO Forever purchase. RIGOR has no one-time price.
- Where it runs. Android and Apple Watch as well as iPhone; its App Store listing says the watch app logs with or without the phone. RIGOR is iPhone only.
- Your own routines. Any workout you care to write, from over 200 built-in exercises or your own. RIGOR builds the plan; you can swap exercises and change targets, but not write a program from scratch.
- Your data out. Strong exports your workouts as a CSV file. RIGOR has no export.
If any of these decides it for you, choose Strong.
Where RIGOR is better
If you would rather not write the plan. RIGOR builds it, sets every target and shows the rule behind each change.
- The next target, by rule. After every workout RIGOR sets each lift's target by double progression: reps climb to the top of the range, then the weight moves to the next one your gym can load. Above: 6 reps on every set at 90 kg (about 200 lb), so 92.5 kg next. Strong's pages describe no rule that sets your next weight.
- Plates and warm-ups included. Strong keeps its plate calculator and warm-up calculator for PRO. RIGOR works out both from your gym's own plates. On this site the plate calculator and the warm up sets calculator are free.
None of this makes RIGOR the better app for everyone. Strong is the cheaper and freer logbook, in more places. RIGOR is for the lifter who wants to be told what to lift, and why.
See the reason behind every target
Strong is a trademark of its owner. RIGOR is not affiliated with it.
Questions
Is the Strong app free?
Yes, for logging. Its US App Store listing says the free version saves unlimited workouts but only 3 routines of your own.
Strong app free vs PRO: what is the difference?
By Strong's help page, PRO adds unlimited templates, body part measurements, every chart, the plate calculator, the warm-up calculator and themes. Logging workouts is free either way.
How much is Strong PRO?
$4.99 a month or $29.99 a year, in its US App Store listing on 10 October 2026. The listing also shows Strong PRO Forever at $99.99 and at $79.99. Strong's own site gives no price.
Does the Strong app tell you what weight to lift?
Strong's pages describe no rule that sets your next weight. You log what you lifted and choose the next weight yourself.
What are the best apps like Strong?
For another logbook with a free version, Hevy is the nearest. For a Strong app alternative that builds the plan and sets every weight, try RIGOR, on iPhone only.
Strong app vs Hevy: which is cheaper?
Hevy, by the two apps' own pages. Hevy Pro is $23.99 a year and its free plan holds 4 routines. Strong PRO is $29.99 a year on the US App Store and its free version holds 3.