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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Stronglifts 5x5 Workout Plan

40
Value score / 100 Worth paying? No Skip it

Stronglifts 5x5 is a highly effective workout app for strength building, but its value is severely undermined by developer practices of revoking lifetime purchases and paywalling previously free or purchased features.

Free + in-app purchases seen up to $199.99 4.9★ lifetime (76,425) since 2011

Stronglifts 5x5 is praised for its simple, effective program that helps users get strong and track progress easily R4R7R12. However, many long-term users report being locked out of features they previously paid for or had access to for free, forcing them into expensive subscriptions R2R3R13R18. This bait-and-switch approach and frequent bugs make it a risky investment despite its core program quality.

Free vs paid

The app used to offer a free version and one-time 'lifetime' purchases, but now many users report that core functionalities, including basic tracking, warm-up settings, plate calculators, and even access to old data, are locked behind a subscription paywall R8R14R15. Paid features include plate tracking, progress tracking, and the ability to switch between different styles of 5x5 R128. Some users who paid for lifetime access years ago are now forced to subscribe to access those features R2R3R13R18.

Value complaints

  • Developers revoked lifetime purchases and paywalled features previously paid for or free, forcing users into subscriptions.R2R3R13R18
  • The app is now subscription-only, with no free version or option to buy a lifetime fee, making it too expensive for basic tracking.R8R14R15R24
  • Users reported being charged immediately after starting a 'free trial' or experiencing bait-and-switch tactics with subscription terms.R5R37R43R55
  • The subscription price is considered too expensive for the features offered, especially given the app's basic nature.R14R24R193R306
  • Frequent pop-ups to upgrade to Pro are frustrating and make the app annoying to use.R34R306R535

Where it delivers

  • The app provides a simple, effective, and intuitive program that helps users achieve strength gains and track progress easily.R4R6R7R12
  • Excellent customer support is responsive and resolves issues quickly, sometimes even pushing out updates.R4R36R58R118
  • Features like plate calculation, fractional plate support, and workout customization are highly valued.R48R128R193
  • The app's design is clean, simple, and purpose-built for the StrongLifts methodology, avoiding clutter.R193
Worth paying if

The paid tier might be worth it if you are a new user who understands the current subscription model and values a simple, effective, and well-supported strength training program with good Apple Watch integration R4R58. It's also suitable if you need an app that does all the thinking for you and helps with plate calculations R128.

Skip / stay free if

You should skip paying for Stronglifts 5x5 if you are a former user who made a one-time 'lifetime' purchase, as many report these purchases are no longer honored, leading to frustration and loss of access R2R3R13R18. Also skip if you are looking for a free app, as the free version is now very limited or non-existent R8R14R15R28. Users seeking more varied exercises, advanced customization like supersets, or an app that automatically deloads after breaks might find it lacking .

Evidence note: Recent reviews are heavily skewed negative due to the paywalling of previously purchased or free features, which contrasts with the high lifetime rating. Many positive reviews are older or focus on the program's effectiveness rather than pricing.

Frequently asked

Is Stronglifts 5x5 still free to use?
No, many recent reviews indicate that Stronglifts 5x5 is no longer free and now requires a subscription for basic functionality, even locking out users who previously had free access or made one-time purchases R8R14R15R28.
Does Stronglifts 5x5 honor 'lifetime' purchases?
No, numerous long-term users report that Stronglifts 5x5 does not honor past 'lifetime' purchases or 'power pack' access, forcing them into new subscriptions to access features they already paid for R2R3R13R18.
How much does Stronglifts 5x5 cost?
While specific prices vary, users mention subscription costs around $60 per year, and the app's highest in-app purchase is listed at $199.99 R24R306R54.
Are there bugs in the Stronglifts 5x5 app?
Yes, several users have reported bugs such as the app not staying active during workouts, crashing, forgetting weights, issues with input fields, and problems with features like increment functions R2R10R51R85.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] 1/5 · US Buggy and they keep putting features behind paywalls: I paid for this app years ago before it was a subscription. It’s gotten much worse and they keep adding features I paid for behind a paywall.
  2. [R3] 1/5 · US This was a great app, but: Update. After 10 years of use, StrongLifts has taken away the power pack I purchased 10 years ago and is trying to force me to use a $60 yearly subscription to access those features. I reached out to them and they refuse to honor my purchase. I’m very disappointed and will probably look for another way to record my workouts.
  3. [R13] 1/5 · US Deceptive “Lifetime” purchase.: I’ve been using this app off and on for ten years, ever since I made the decision to pay upfront for a "lifetime pass" under the clear impression that I would have access to the service for as long as the app existed. It is incredibly disappointing to see the developer now unilaterally revoke that access and force long-term supporters into a monthly subscription mod
  4. [R18] 1/5 · US Not honoring the lifetime purchase: This had a lifetime purchase. Now the developer has gone the subscription way and locked people out of the lifetime subscription they have paid for. This is theft and needs to be reported.
  5. [R8] 1/5 · US Not free: I used this app all the time and took a break due to injury. Came back to it to find out now I have to pay for it
  6. [R14] 1/5 · US Terrible app: I used to love the app. It is now subscription only and there isn’t even an option to buy a lifetime fee. Although if there was I wouldn’t pay for it, this app is way too basic to even think of it as worthy of any subscription service. Get a different free app.
  7. [R15] 1/5 · US Bait and switch: New update locks the entire app behind subscription. Useless. Theft
  8. [R24] 1/5 · US Ok app to not worth $60 a year: Once was an ok app that kept good rep/set count with $ addons. Now force users to $60 a year subscription(cheapest offer btw). Not a chance for a rep/set counter. To the developer welcome to lost revenue and good luck. Deleted!
  9. [R5] 1/5 · US Free Trial Bait and Switch: I tried to start the 1-week free trial but switched the subscription to monthly, then cancelled within a week because I realized my gym doesn’t have reliable barbell access. Got charged at the end of what I thought was a free week, then realized the 1-week trial is only for the yearly subscription. That’s intentional and predatory. Give me a refund.
  10. [R37] 1/5 · US Subscription scammers!: The app says 7 days free subscription and then charges you immediately. Then apple wont reverse the charge and stronglifts says there’s nothing they can do. Fix your app and stop scamming people.
  11. [R43] 1/5 · US only kg, no lbs: You can only set weights in lgs, not pounds. Useless for someone like me who has weights measured in pounds. It also forces you into a subscription (don’t believe the free trial lie) before you can do even a single workout. Zero stars.
  12. [R55] 1/5 · US Free Trial Scam: Won’t let me cancel and charged me.
  13. [R193] 3/5 · US Okay but overpriced and lots of room for improvement: Pros • Clean, simple interface. The app is clearly designed around StrongLifts and avoids the clutter common in general workout apps. • Purpose-built for the StrongLifts methodology. It doesn’t try to be everything, which makes it easy to follow and hard to misuse. • Workout customization is flexible enough for most real-world situations while
  14. [R306] 3/5 · GB Good but expensive: This program is good and has helped me get stronger, and the new Liquid Glass update looks great. However, the Pro subscription is too expensive, and the frequent pop-ups are very frustrating.
  15. [R34] 2/5 · US Spams you to upgrade: Been going on for years. They constantly spam you to upgrade. Makes the app annoying to use. The dev will comment on this review a generic reply and just lie. It’s just a glorified timer app
  16. [R535] 3/5 · CA Constant Membership Popup: I have a lifetime membership from a long time ago and the constant membership pop up for pro is making the app feel almost unusable.
  17. [R4] 5/5 · US Best lifting app!!: I love this workout! Support is the best. They take care of things right away and they have a ton of FAQs to help with lifting and support for the app. I would never consider using anything else! Whatever they ask for the Pro Subscription, pay it! You won’t be sorry.
  18. [R6] 5/5 · US Great app!: This app has everything you need to follow a simple preset program or build your own. Great price, no frills and meets my needs perfectly!
  19. [R7] 5/5 · US Intuitive and great: I’ve been using StrongLifts for years. It’s simple, and helps me get it done. Great app!
  20. [R12] 5/5 · US Gets Results: I have used StrongLifts on and off for about 10 years, and I find it very helpful in getting results lifting weights.
  21. [R36] 5/5 · US Great app: Emailed support about an issue with the app and they fixed it within 48 hours. Great app!
  22. [R58] 5/5 · US As close to perfect as an app can get: May, 2025 Update, i’ve been renewing my premium subscription for three years now and never hesitate. This is one of the best designed apps ever. The Apple Watch integration is absolutely key. Every time I’ve had an issue, support IMMEDIATELY resolves it and will even push out a new update to the App Store in the rare instance that I discover some obscure bug
  23. [R118] 5/5 · US You shouldn’t be using anything else: These guys are the best. Incredibly responsive if you ever need any assistance in any way.
  24. [R48] 5/5 · US Great app for a great workout: 50+ guy here, hands down best weight workout for older guys. App helped everything from tracking to setting the weights for you (even with my weirdly sized squat bar and rackable ez curl). Don’t hesitate - try it for a few months. Only complaint is how body weight exercises show you your weight plus added weight. I really only care about checking and tracking the
  25. [R128] 5/5 · US Great workout app: I have been using for years. This app allows you to use fractional weights and it calculates and tells you your plates for the workout. Makes your workouts easier. I also have the lifetime subscription and that is not available anymore. If you purchased the lifetime and don’t see it. You just have to restore your purchase in the app.
  26. [R28] 1/5 · US Heartbroken: I’ve used this app for years. I’m saddened to see there is no longer a free version. I refuse to pay that much money for an app. I’ll use an excel spreadsheet ✌️
  27. [R54] 1/5 · US Not worth it: I've been using this app for over a year and generally liked it but the latest update after my annual subscription expired stripped out features I relied on daily and locked them behind the paid subscription. I paid for a year initially. During that time zero features were added. The free version now has fewer features than it did when I initially started using it. Oh and the annual
  28. [R10] 2/5 · US Declining Quality: I’ve used this app for around three years. In the beginning, it was one of the best weightlifting apps I had tried. It was reliable, easy to use, and made tracking my workouts simple. Things started to change after the lifetime subscription was introduced. I don’t know whether it was related, but it gave me the impression that the focus shifted away from maintaining and improvi
  29. [R51] 3/5 · US Update meh: Dislike this last update and the changes made it less user friendly. And deleted all my work outs.. after 599 workouts logged time to find something else…
  30. [R85] 3/5 · US Mostly great: I overall love this app and this program. Every once in a while however I get signed out of my account and I'm unable to sign back in and restore my purchase without contacting support. A huge anxiety, and waste of my time to have to contact support and do a back and forth just to have access to a purchase I made years ago. As for the program and information it's a tremendous resourc

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store