// WORKOUT APPS
Strong vs Hevy: Which Workout Tracking App is Best for Serious Lifters in 2025?
Strong and Hevy represent two of the most popular approaches to workout tracking in 2025, each serving millions of lifters worldwide but with fundamentally different philosophies. Strong champions minimalism and speed, offering a clean, distraction-free interface focused purely on logging sets, reps, and weights with precision. Hevy takes a more comprehensive approach, combining robust tracking with social features, pre-built programs, and modern visual design elements. The choice between these apps often comes down to training style and personality. Serious powerlifters and strength athletes typically gravitate toward Strong's no-nonsense approach and lifetime pricing model, while recreational lifters and those who enjoy community engagement tend to prefer Hevy's generous free tier and social features. Both apps excel at the core function of progressive overload tracking, but their execution and additional features differ significantly enough to make one clearly better for your specific needs.
Strong
$99
Hevy
$89
[FEATURE COMPARISON]
| Feature | Strong | Hevy |
|---|---|---|
|
Progressive Overload Tracking How effectively the app displays previous performance and tracks strength gains over time |
Excellent - Clean gray text display of previous sets with instant PR visibility | Excellent - Color-coded PR indicators with volume tracking (weight × reps × sets) |
|
User Interface Design Overall app design philosophy, visual elements, and ease of navigation during workouts |
Minimalist - Fast, distraction-free interface optimized for speed between sets | Modern - Feature-rich design with animations, muscle illustrations, and visual engagement |
|
Social Features Community aspects like sharing workouts, following friends, and social accountability |
None - Zero social features, pure individual focus | Full platform - Social feed, friend following, workout sharing, and community programs |
|
Pricing Structure Cost breakdown and value proposition for free vs paid tiers |
$4.99/month or $119.99 lifetime (limited free version with 3 routines) | Generous free tier with unlimited workouts, $8.99/month Pro version |
|
Exercise Database Number of pre-loaded exercises and ability to add custom movements |
300+ exercises with custom exercise creation and detailed templating | 400+ exercises with custom creation, pre-built programs, and community sharing |
|
Analytics & Charts Data visualization and progress tracking capabilities beyond basic logging |
Clean, essential charts - Weight progression, volume, and PR history | Comprehensive analytics - Muscle group breakdowns, frequency analysis, detailed reports |
|
Offline Functionality How well the app functions without internet connection during gym sessions |
Full offline mode - Core functionality works completely without internet | Full offline mode - Complete workout logging available without connection |
[PROS & CONS]
Strong
Pros
- Lightning-fast, distraction-free interface optimized for gym use
- Excellent lifetime pricing at $119.99 (pays for itself in 2 years)
- Rock-solid reliability with 10+ years of proven performance
- Perfect progressive overload tracking with clean data display
- Complete offline functionality for privacy-conscious users
Cons
- Limited free version restricts users to only 3 workout routines
- No social features for community motivation and accountability
- Basic analytics compared to more comprehensive competitors
Hevy
Pros
- Incredibly generous free tier with unlimited workouts and core features
- Full social platform with workout sharing and community motivation
- Comprehensive analytics including muscle group breakdowns and volume tracking
- Pre-built programs and community-shared routines for beginners
- Modern, visually appealing interface with smooth animations
Cons
- More expensive monthly subscription at $8.99/month for Pro features
- Busier interface may feel cluttered for minimalist-minded users
- Social features can be distracting for purely focused training sessions
[OUR VERDICT]
Strong wins for serious lifters who value simplicity and long-term ownership, while Hevy excels for beginners and social fitness enthusiasts with its generous free tier.
After extensive testing and analysis of real-world usage patterns, the winner depends heavily on your training philosophy and preferences. Strong emerges as the clear choice for serious, focused lifters who prioritize speed, simplicity, and long-term value. Its minimalist interface allows lightning-fast logging between sets, and the $119.99 lifetime purchase option provides exceptional value for committed lifters. The app's complete lack of social features isn't a bug—it's a feature for those who want zero distractions during training.
Hevy wins for beginners, social fitness enthusiasts, and budget-conscious users. Its generous free tier offers unlimited workouts and core functionality that rivals most paid apps. The social features genuinely help many users stay accountable and motivated, while the pre-built programs provide excellent starting points for new lifters. The modern interface and comprehensive analytics appeal to users who enjoy data visualization and community engagement.
For data-driven lifters who want the best of both worlds, consider that both apps excel at the fundamental task of progressive overload tracking. Strong's edge lies in its focused execution and lifetime pricing, while Hevy's advantage is its feature richness and free accessibility. The choice ultimately comes down to whether you value simplicity and ownership (Strong) or modern features and community (Hevy).
If forced to pick a single winner for serious lifters in 2025, Strong takes the edge due to its proven reliability, lifetime purchase option, and laser focus on what matters most: accurately tracking your strength progression without distractions. However, Hevy's free tier makes it the smart starting point for anyone unsure about committing to paid workout tracking.
Our pick:
Strong
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