Who should choose SteelRep over StrengthLog?

SteelRep is the better choice for lifters who want automatic progression — the app calculates when and how much to increase weight, rather than just recording what you lifted. It is also significantly cheaper at $4.99/mo versus StrengthLog Premium at $16.90/mo, and requires no account to get started. If a focused, curated barbell program library from beginner to advanced suits your training, SteelRep delivers more structure per pound.

Who should stick with StrengthLog?

StrengthLog is the right choice if you want a genuinely complete free tier — unlimited logging, 500+ exercises, and basic programs at no cost. It also suits lifters who train across multiple disciplines like powerlifting, bodybuilding, and Olympic lifting and want one app to cover all of it. If you use an Apple Watch or want an app with a large, established user base and a 4.9★ reputation, StrengthLog is the honest recommendation.

Does SteelRep automatically tell me when to increase weight, or do I have to decide myself?

SteelRep calculates progression for you — when you hit your target reps, the engine increments the weight automatically, and when you stall it adjusts accordingly. It also flags deloads when accumulated fatigue warrants one, so you do not need to programme yourself. StrengthLog, by contrast, tracks your history and surfaces the data, but leaves the decision of when to add weight to you.

SteelRep vs StrengthLog (2026): Honest Comparison

The core difference

StrengthLog is the most complete free workout tracker in the category. You can log every workout, track every exercise, and access multiple programs — all without paying a penny. Premium unlocks advanced programs and deep analytics, but the free tier is genuinely usable for serious daily training.

SteelRep’s free tier is narrower: 2 complete programs (5x5 Power Builder and Full Body Basics) and a 30-day trial of the full Pro library. After the trial, Pro costs $4.99/month. The value proposition is different: SteelRep’s core feature is automatic progression — the app calculates when and how much to increase weight. StrengthLog records what you do; SteelRep tells you what to do next.

Free tier

StrengthLog’s free tier is exceptional. Unlimited logging, 500+ exercises, basic programs, no ads. Very few apps in this category offer this much without payment.

SteelRep’s free tier is more restrictive: two programs, then a 30-day Pro trial. After the trial, access to the other 20 programs requires a subscription.

Winner: StrengthLog on free-tier breadth. No contest.

Auto-progression

This is where the apps diverge most clearly.

StrengthLog tracks your history and shows your progress. When to add weight is your decision — you review the data and judge. That works well for experienced lifters who understand periodisation and can programme themselves.

SteelRep calculates it for you. When you hit the target reps, the progression engine increments the weight. When you stall, it adjusts. When a deload is due based on accumulated fatigue, it flags it. You don’t need to think about the programming — the app handles it.

For newer and intermediate lifters, this distinction matters significantly. “I know I should progress, but I don’t know when or by how much” is one of the most common barriers to continued strength development. SteelRep removes it.

Winner: SteelRep on structured auto-progression.

Program library

StrengthLog has 100+ programs across powerlifting, bodybuilding, Olympic lifting, and sport-specific training. If you want variety across disciplines, it is hard to beat.

SteelRep has 22 programs, all built around barbell compound training — from beginner linear progression to advanced DUP and competition peaking. The library is intentionally narrow: depth over breadth.

If you need a calisthenics program on Tuesday and a powerlifting block on Wednesday, StrengthLog is the better fit. If you want a curated ladder from first barbell session to advanced periodisation, SteelRep’s library has a clear through-line.

Winner: StrengthLog on breadth. SteelRep for barbell-first lifters.

Price

StrengthLog Premium costs $16.90/month or $109/year. SteelRep Pro costs $4.99/month.

The math is straightforward: SteelRep is 3.4× cheaper at the monthly rate, and roughly half the price annually. StrengthLog’s free tier is substantially better than SteelRep’s, but if you want premium features — advanced programs, analytics — SteelRep is significantly more affordable.

Winner: SteelRep on Pro/Premium pricing. StrengthLog if the free tier covers your needs.

Ratings and track record

StrengthLog has a 4.9★ rating with over 3,300 App Store reviews — one of the highest-rated fitness apps in the category. It’s been built by Swedish lifting enthusiasts and has a genuinely strong reputation.

SteelRep is newer and has fewer reviews. The feature quality is high, but the track record is shorter.

Winner: StrengthLog on established reputation.

Verdict

StrengthLog is the best free workout tracker in the category, and it has the ratings to prove it. If you want to log training without paying anything, StrengthLog is the honest recommendation.

SteelRep makes a different bet: a 30-day free trial of structured barbell programming, then $4.99/month if the auto-progression and program structure are worth it to you. For lifters who want the app to handle the programming decisions — not just record them — SteelRep’s approach delivers more per pound.

If cost is the primary concern, StrengthLog’s free tier is hard to argue with. If structured auto-progression and a focused barbell library are what you’re after, SteelRep at $4.99/mo beats StrengthLog Premium at $16.90/mo by a wide margin.