Nishaana
Hevy vs StrongLifts at a glance
TL;DR: Pick Hevy for a flexible logger that handles any program, the biggest social feed and a cheap $74.99 lifetime; pick StrongLifts if you want the most guided, near-foolproof way to run 5x5 and simple barbell linear progression as a beginner.
Hevy and StrongLifts are both excellent, but they aren't really competing for the same job. Hevy is a general-purpose workout logger built to handle whatever program you throw at it, wrapped in a 14M+ social feed and priced cheaply, with a $74.99 lifetime option. [3] StrongLifts is built around one thing done extremely well: guiding you through the StrongLifts 5x5 program and simple barbell linear progression, telling you exactly what to lift each session and adding weight automatically. [4]
Neither is a wrong answer. The right pick comes down to whether you want maximum flexibility for any program (Hevy) or maximum guidance on a simple, proven beginner program (StrongLifts).
Hevy vs StrongLifts: full comparison table
Hevy values are verified from hevy.com and the Hevy Help Centre; StrongLifts values from stronglifts.com and its app-store listings, as of July 2, 2026 (see References).
Details reflect publicly available information verified July 2026 and can change — always check hevy.com/pricing and stronglifts.com for current numbers. Hevy and StrongLifts are trademarks of their respective owners.
Pricing compared: Hevy vs StrongLifts
Answer: Hevy is free with limits, and Hevy Pro is $2.99/month, $23.99/year, or $74.99 lifetime — cheap, with a lifetime unlock. StrongLifts offers a free core 5x5 experience plus a paid StrongLifts Pro subscription; we don't publish an unverified Pro price, so check stronglifts.com or the app store listing for the current figure.
Hevy's paid pricing is one of the cheapest among serious trackers, and the $74.99 lifetime unlock pays for itself in about three years and then never charges again. [1] Its free tier is usable but capped at 4 routines, 7 custom exercises and 3 months of stats history, so heavier use nudges you toward Pro. [2] StrongLifts gives you the core 5x5 program free and gates its extras behind StrongLifts Pro, a subscription. [4] We've deliberately left the exact StrongLifts Pro price out rather than invent a number — confirm it on the official site or store listing.
| Plan | Hevy | StrongLifts |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 4 routines · 7 custom · 3-mo stats | Core 5x5 free |
| Monthly | $2.99 / mo | Pro subscription |
| Annual | $23.99 / yr | Pro subscription |
| Lifetime | $74.99 one-time | — |
Programs & progression
Answer: This is the core difference. Hevy handles any program you build — PPL, upper-lower, 5/3/1, your own split — with optional auto-progression via Hevy Trainer (Pro). StrongLifts is narrow by design: it guides you through 5x5 and simple linear progression, auto-adding weight each session and telling you exactly what to do, which makes it near-foolproof for beginners.
Hevy is the generalist. Build any routine, log it fast, and let Hevy Trainer (a Pro feature) apply progressive overload automatically if you want it. [3] That flexibility is its strength — and its trade-off: it won't hold your hand through a specific program. StrongLifts is the specialist. It's built around StrongLifts 5x5 (and now offers some other programs), but its identity and best-in-class experience is guided linear progression: it prescribes each session, adds weight when you succeed, and tells you precisely which sets, reps and load to hit. [4] For an advanced lifter running highly custom programming, StrongLifts feels limited; for a beginner who wants to be told exactly what to lift, it's about as guided and foolproof as trackers get.
Community & platforms
Answer: Hevy has the biggest social feed in mainstream lifting — 14M+ athletes — plus a large exercise library. StrongLifts has a smaller community and a more focused feature set built around its program. Both are phone-first, well-rated apps that export your data as CSV.
Hevy treats lifting as social: following friends, liking workouts and saving routines from a 14M+ feed is a real motivator, and it ships a 400+ exercise library. [3] StrongLifts is more focused — a smaller community and a leaner library centred on the core barbell lifts (plus more), which fits its guided-program identity. [4] Both are highly rated on the app stores, Hevy at roughly 4.9, and both let you export your own data as CSV if you ever move on. [5] If community and a big library matter, Hevy fits; if you just want a focused, guided program, StrongLifts does the job.
Platforms
Both are phone-first for live logging. Hevy ships iOS, Android and an Apple Watch app, plus a web presence at hevy.com for building routines and reviewing analytics — though the actual session still happens on the phone or watch. [3] StrongLifts covers iOS and Android with Apple Watch support, and is designed to be logged on the phone during your session. [4] Neither offers full live workout logging in a browser. That's the one gap the web-first option below fills.
When to pick Hevy
Answer: Pick Hevy if you want a flexible logger that handles any program, the biggest social community, and the cheapest price with a $74.99 lifetime unlock.
- You want flexibility — Hevy logs any program you build, not just one. [3]
- Community motivates you — its 14M+ feed is the biggest in mainstream lifting.
- Price matters — $23.99/year or $74.99 lifetime is hard to beat.
- You want optional auto-progression — Hevy Trainer handles it on Pro.
When to pick StrongLifts
Answer: Pick StrongLifts if you're a beginner who wants the most guided, near-foolproof way to run 5x5 and simple barbell linear progression, with the app telling you exactly what to lift and adding weight for you.
- You're new to lifting — StrongLifts guides beginners through linear progression beautifully. [4]
- You want to be told what to do — it prescribes each session and auto-adds weight.
- You want 5x5 done right — it's the best, most guided way to run the program.
- You prefer simplicity over building and managing your own custom split.
The web-first alternative: Nishaana
Answer: Both Hevy and StrongLifts are phone-first for live logging. Nishaana runs the full workout tracker in any browser on desktop or phone with no app-store download, includes a built-in 5x5 program plus PPL, 5/3/1 and upper-lower, adds free 1RM, TDEE and macro calculators and free auto-progression, and imports your Hevy or Strong history in about a minute.
If neither phone-first model fits — maybe you plan programming on a laptop, use a shared gym computer, or just don't want another app on your phone — Nishaana is worth a look. The whole tracker lives in the browser: warm-ups, working sets, rest timers and notes all happen in a tab, on desktop or phone, from one account. It ships a built-in 5x5 program plus PPL, 5/3/1 and upper-lower, free 1RM, TDEE and macro calculators that neither Hevy nor StrongLifts offers on the web, gives basic auto-progression free, and adds a daily 0–100 training score for consistency.
We're honest about the trade-offs: StrongLifts' guided beginner 5x5 experience and Hevy's social feed and lifetime price are all real strengths Nishaana doesn't try to out-hype — and we're newer, with a smaller community, and our Apple Watch and Wear OS support is still on the roadmap. But if browser access is the deciding factor, it's a fair third choice — and moving over is easy.
Bring your history in about a minute.
Export your CSV and drop it into Nishaana — your exercises, workouts and PRs come straight across, nothing lost.
References
Hevy and StrongLifts facts on this page were verified from the following primary sources in July 2026.
- Hevy — Pricing (Pro $2.99/mo, $23.99/yr, $74.99 lifetime) hevy.com
- Hevy Pro Subscription: free-tier limits (4 routines / 7 custom exercises / 3-month stats) Hevy Help Centre
- Hevy — the #1 workout tracker: 14M+ athletes, platforms, feed hevyapp.com
- StrongLifts 5x5 — official site (program, features, Pro) stronglifts.com
- StrongLifts 5x5 Weight Lifting — App Store listing (ratings, platforms) Apple App Store
- StrongLifts 5x5 — Apps on Google Play (ratings, platforms) Google Play
Hevy vs StrongLifts FAQ.
Is Hevy or StrongLifts better?
It depends on how you train. Hevy is better if you want a flexible general-purpose logger that handles any program, the biggest social feed in lifting, and the cheapest price with a $74.99 lifetime unlock. StrongLifts is better if you are a beginner who wants the most guided, near-foolproof way to run 5x5 and simple barbell linear progression, being told exactly what to lift each session.
Is StrongLifts good for beginners?
Yes — it is arguably the most guided 5x5 experience there is. StrongLifts walks you through linear progression session by session, auto-adds weight when you succeed, and tells you exactly which sets, reps and load to hit. For a beginner who wants to be told what to do on a simple barbell program, it is near-foolproof.
Can Hevy do the 5x5 program?
Yes, but you build it yourself. Hevy is a flexible logger, so you can create a 5x5 routine and log it perfectly, though it will not hold your hand. StrongLifts guides the same program automatically — it prescribes each session and progresses your weight for you. Hevy gives flexibility; StrongLifts gives guidance.
How much do Hevy and StrongLifts cost?
Hevy is free with limits, and Hevy Pro is $2.99 per month, $23.99 per year, or $74.99 lifetime. StrongLifts offers a free core 5x5 experience plus StrongLifts Pro, which is a paid subscription; check stronglifts.com or the app store listing for the current Pro price, as we do not publish an unverified figure.
Which is more flexible for custom programs?
Hevy. It is a general-purpose logger built to handle any program you design — PPL, upper-lower, 5/3/1, your own split — with a large exercise library and full customization. StrongLifts is narrow by design: it is excellent for guided 5x5 and simple linear progression, but less flexible for advanced or highly custom programming.
Is there a workout app that runs in a browser instead?
Yes. Both Hevy and StrongLifts are phone-first, so live logging happens on the app. Nishaana runs the full workout tracker in any browser on desktop or phone with no app-store download, includes a built-in 5x5 program plus free 1RM, TDEE and macro calculators and free auto-progression, and imports your Hevy or Strong history in about a minute.
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