Alpha Progression vs Fitbod vs Hevy vs Boostcamp: Which Strength App Is Best for Which Type of Lifter?

If you’ve spent any time looking for a proper strength training app, you’ll have come across the same four names again and again: Alpha Progression, Fitbod, Hevy and Boostcamp.

I’ve used all four in the gym. Alpha Progression has been my main app for well over a year now, and I’ve also reviewed Fitbod in depth. Hevy and Boostcamp have both spent time on my phone, too.

Here’s the thing, though. They’re not really competing for the same person. One tells you exactly what to lift, one builds your whole session for you, one is a brilliant free logbook, and one is a library of famous programs.

In a hurry? Here’s the quick rundown…

• Best overall: Alpha Progression – the smartest set-by-set progression for any level.
• Best free workout tracker: Hevy – generous free plan and great social features.
• Best for proven programs: Boostcamp – 5/3/1, GZCL, nSuns and more, free.
• Best for beginners and home workouts: Fitbod – builds each session around your recovery and equipment.

How I Compared These Strength Training Apps

I didn’t want to compare these apps on gut feel, or my own unconscious biases… so I based my testing around 6 fundamental things I believe a good workout app should do.

1. Progression guidance – does the app tell you what weight and reps to do next, or just record what you did? For me, this is the big one. Progressive overload is what builds muscle and strength.
2. Programming – can it build a plan for you, or give you access to proven programs?
3. Logging experience – how quick and painless is it to record a set mid-workout?
4. Exercise library and form videos – especially important if you’re newer to lifting.
5. Progress tracking – charts, PRs, body measurements and data export.
6. Price and free plan – what you get for free, and whether the paid version is worth it.

I also considered who each app is really built for, because the best app for a powerlifter running 5/3/1 isn’t the best app for someone training with dumbbells in their spare room. All prices below are the US prices listed on each app’s website or app store page at the time of writing, and they vary by country.

For each app below, I’ve scored it out of 5 on all 6 criteria, then averaged them for an overall score. That way, you can see exactly where each one excels and where it falls short.

Alpha Progression – Best Overall

• Best for: Lifters focused on building muscle who want to be told exactly what to lift on every set.
• Price: Free version available. Pro is $12.99/month or $79.99/year, with a 14-day free trial on the annual plan.
• My score: 4.9/5

Alpha Progression is the app I keep coming back to. I first tried it over a year ago, I’ve written a full Alpha Progression review, and it’s still the app I use in the gym today. Here’s how it stacked up against my six criteria.

Progression guidance (5/5)

This is where Alpha Progression leaves the others behind. When I opened a session, every set already had a target weight, rep count and intensity waiting for me, based on what I did last time. I logged my set, added my RIR (how many reps I had left in the tank), and the next recommendation adjusted. If I had a strong set, it nudged me up. If I struggled, it held me back. It felt like having a coach who had memorised every workout I’d ever done. None of the other three apps did this as precisely, set by set.

Programming (5/5)

When I set it up, the plan generator asked about my goal, experience, equipment, how many days I could train, how long my sessions were and which muscles I wanted to prioritise. A minute later, I had a full split, such as Push Pull Legs or Upper Lower. What really impressed me was that it built in periodisation and deload weeks. Most apps just repeat the same plan until you get bored or stall.

Logging experience (4.5/5)

Logging was quick and clean. The rest timer ran on my iPhone lock screen, so I wasn’t constantly unlocking my phone between sets, and the plate and warm-up calculators saved me doing sums with sweaty hands. It also worked offline, which was handy in a basement gym with no signal. My only gripe was that there’s no Apple Watch app, so my phone had to come with me to every station.

Exercise library and form videos (5/5)

There are 795 exercises, each with a real form video filmed by trainers in an actual gym, plus setup and execution cues. When my usual machine was taken, I could filter by muscle group and equipment and find a swap in seconds. Fitbod has more exercises, but I found Alpha Progression’s videos more useful.

Progress tracking (5/5)

I could see charts for every exercise, personal records, body measurements and evaluations of how each exercise was progressing. It syncs with Apple Health, and I also liked that I could export everything to CSV, so my data was never locked in.

Price and free plan (4.5/5)

The free version now covers unlimited logging, manual plans and the full video library. But the features that make Alpha Progression special – the recommendations and plan generator – are in Pro. At $79.99 a year, it’s cheaper than Fitbod, and with code FD20 Fitness Drum readers get 20% off.

Pros

• The most precise set-by-set progression of any app here
• Plan generator with periodisation and deloads
• Real-gym form videos
• Multiple gym profiles for home and commercial gyms
• Works offline and syncs with Apple Health
• Rated 4.9 on the App Store and 4.8 on Google Play, with 5M+ downloads

Cons

• No Apple Watch app
• The best features need Pro
• Purely for lifting, with no cardio, HIIT or mobility sessions

Verdict: Alpha Progression is the only app of the four that I’ve stuck with, and that says a lot. What won me over wasn’t one flashy feature. It was the way it took the guesswork out of every session. I stopped wondering whether I should add weight or chase another rep, and just followed the numbers. I also liked having separate gym profiles, so when I trained at home with limited kit, the plan adjusted instead of falling apart. It isn’t for everyone… if you want cardio classes or a watch-only setup, look elsewhere. But if your goal is to build muscle and you want an app that actively coaches your progression, Alpha Progression is the best of the four.

Hevy – Best Free Workout Tracker

• Best for: Lifters who already know what they’re doing, want a fast logbook, and like a bit of community.
• Price: Free plan available. Hevy Pro is $2.99/month, $23.99/year or $74.99 for lifetime access.
• My score: 4.1/5

Hevy is the app I’d hand to a mate who says, “I just want something to log my workouts.” When I tried it, logging sets felt fast and satisfying, and it did that brilliantly. Hevy has also added a coaching feature called Hevy Trainer. But once I scored it against my criteria, it was clear why it sits behind Alpha Progression.

Progression guidance (3/5)

On the free plan, Hevy showed me what I lifted last time and tracked my PRs and estimated one-rep maxes, but the decision about what to do next was still mine. In February 2026, Hevy launched Hevy Trainer as part of Pro. It adds automatic weight progression based on your performance, suggested starting weights and reminders if you stall. It’s a welcome addition, but it’s newer and simpler than Alpha Progression’s system, which adjusts every individual set using your RIR.

Programming (3.5/5)

The free routine planner was good for building my own plan, and I liked that I could browse and save routines other people had shared. Hevy Trainer (Pro) now builds a full program based on your goals, experience, equipment, training days and session length, including rep ranges and rest periods. That closes the gap a bit, but I didn’t see the periodisation and deload planning that Alpha Progression builds in.

Logging experience (5/5)

This is where Hevy shines, and it was the best of the four for logging. Adding a set was a single tap. I could mark warm-up, drop and failure sets, add notes to exercises, and the rest timer kicked in automatically. There’s even a stopwatch for timed exercises like planks. It also works on Apple Watch and Wear OS, so it was the only app here I’d happily use with just my watch on the gym floor.

Exercise library and form videos (4/5)

Hevy has a broad library covering everything from barbell lifts to kettlebell and functional movements, with exercise videos, a full exercise history and the option to create custom exercises. It did the job, but I didn’t find the instructions as detailed as Alpha Progression’s step-by-step cues.

Progress tracking (4/5)

The exercise charts and PR tracking were clean and easy to read, and muscle group tags showed me how my training volume was spread. The social side added something the others didn’t, too. Following friends, liking and commenting on workouts gave it a Strava-for-lifting feel, and I found that surprisingly motivating. The catch is that free users only get three months of graph history.

Price and free plan (5/5)

Hevy’s free plan is the most usable of the lot. You get unlimited logging with no ads. The limits are 4 saved routines, 7 custom exercises and 3 months of graph history. If you do upgrade, Pro is by far the cheapest option here, it now includes Hevy Trainer, and the lifetime deal is great value.

Pros

• The fastest, slickest logging of the four
• Generous free plan with no ads
• Cheapest Pro upgrade, including a lifetime option
• Hevy Trainer adds programs and auto-progression in Pro
• Social feed and shareable routines
• Apple Watch, Wear OS and web support

Cons

• Progression is less precise than Alpha Progression’s set-by-set system
• Coaching features need Pro
• Free plan limits routines, custom exercises and graph history

Verdict: Hevy was the app I enjoyed logging with the most. It’s quick, it looks great, and the social feed made me feel like part of a gym community even when I trained alone. It’s also the one I’d recommend to anyone on a tight budget, because the free plan is so usable and Pro costs less than a coffee a month. Hevy Trainer has made it a more serious rival, but its coaching still felt like an add-on to a great logbook, rather than the core of the app. If you want the best free workout tracker, or you already follow your own program, Hevy is the one to get. If you want to be coached on every set, choose Alpha Progression.

Boostcamp – Best for Following Proven Programs

• Best for: Strength and powerlifting-focused lifters who want to run established programs like 5/3/1, GZCL or nSuns.
• Price: Free plan available. Boostcamp Pro is $14.99/month or $59.99/year (with a 7-day free trial on annual).
• My score: 4.2/5

Boostcamp takes a completely different approach. Rather than building a plan around you, it hands you a huge library of programs, many written by well-known coaches, and then runs them for you. Opening it for the first time felt a bit like walking into a library of every program I’d ever seen on Reddit.

Progression guidance (4/5)

Boostcamp did give me target weights. Once I entered my maxes, it worked out the percentages for programs like 5/3/1, and its auto-progression adjusted the weights based on how I performed. That saved a lot of spreadsheet faff. The difference with Alpha Progression is that Boostcamp follows the rules of whichever program you pick. Alpha Progression’s recommendations felt more personal because they reacted to each individual set and my RIR.

Programming (4.5/5)

This is Boostcamp’s star feature. There are 11,000+ programs, including 130+ coach-designed ones such as Jim Wendler’s 5/3/1 Boring But Big, Cody Lefever’s GZCL, nSuns 5/3/1, PHUL and Alex Bromley’s KONG: Savage Size. I could filter by experience level, goal and days per week, and there’s an unlimited custom program builder too. The only reasons it doesn’t get full marks are that the choice felt overwhelming at first, and the personalised plan builder needs Pro. Alpha Progression’s generator got me to a tailored plan faster.

Logging experience (4.5/5)

Logging was straightforward, with RPE and RIR tracking, a rest timer and a plate calculator. On iPhone, Live Activities put my current set and timer on the lock screen. It also works offline, and swapping an exercise for an alternative when a machine was busy was painless. It was clean and functional, if not quite as slick as Hevy.

Exercise library and form videos (3.5/5)

Boostcamp includes exercise demonstrations, which were fine for checking a movement. But the library felt like a supporting act to the programs, and I didn’t think it matched the depth of Alpha Progression’s real-gym videos or Fitbod’s 1,600+ exercises. If you’re new to lifting and still learning technique, that’s worth bearing in mind.

Progress tracking (4/5)

The free version tracked volume, estimated 1RMs and PRs, and gave me weekly reports and a year-end Wrapped. Pro adds a Strength Score based on your main lifts, a per-muscle volume heatmap and deeper analytics. Boostcamp has also recently added a community feature, so you can follow other lifters and see their logs. It’s great for strength-focused lifters, though some of the best bits are behind the paywall.

Price and free plan (4.5/5)

The free plan is very generous, as you get the full program library, tracking and the custom builder without paying anything. Pro is good value on the annual plan, but the monthly price is steep by comparison.

Pros

• 11,000+ programs, including famous coach-written ones
• Free plan includes the full library
• Auto-progression and percentage-based weights
• RPE and RIR logging
• Works offline, with easy exercise swaps

Cons

• Progression is only as personal as the program you pick
• Less detailed form guidance than Alpha Progression or Fitbod
• Not built for cardio or mobility
• Monthly Pro is pricey compared to the annual plan

Verdict: Boostcamp felt like it was built by lifters, for lifters. What I liked most was being able to run a famous program like 5/3/1 without printing spreadsheets or doing percentage maths between sets. It’s also remarkable how much you get for free. That said, it rewards people who already know what they want. As a beginner, I think I’d have found the sheer number of programs overwhelming, and the form guidance is lighter than the others. If you want to run a proven strength program without paying a penny, Boostcamp is the best choice. If your main goal is building muscle, Alpha Progression is the better fit.

Fitbod – Best for Beginners and Home Workouts

• Best for: Newer lifters, and anyone training at home or with limited equipment who wants every session built for them.
• Price: $15.99/month or $95.99/year after a free trial. There’s no permanent free plan.
• My score: 4.0/5

Fitbod is the most hands-off app here. When I used it, I’d open the app and today’s workout was already waiting for me. I’ve covered it in detail in my Fitbod review, and I do still think it’s a pretty good app. But against my 6 criteria, it showed why it suits a different lifter to Alpha Progression.

Progression guidance (4/5)

Fitbod did recommend weights and reps, and it applied progressive overload based on what I’d logged. The difference was that it kept reshuffling the workout. Because the exercises changed from session to session, I found it harder to see a clear, steady progression on my key lifts than I did with Alpha Progression. When I first started, some of the recommendations also weren’t quite right for my level. It improved as it learned, but it took a few weeks of consistent logging before the suggestions felt truly personal.

Programming (3.5/5)

Fitbod doesn’t give you a fixed plan. Instead, it tracked which muscles I’d trained and how hard, and built each session around the muscles that were most recovered. It’s clever, and it meant I never had to think about what to do next. But there’s no set split, and I didn’t get the planned periodisation and deload weeks that Alpha Progression builds in. If you like following the same plan week to week, Alpha Progression or Boostcamp will suit you better.

Logging experience (4/5)

Logging was easy, the design was polished, and supersets and drop sets were simple to set up. It works on Apple Watch and Wear OS, and it connects with Apple Health, Health Connect, Fitbit and Strava. My one frustration was that I sometimes spent time swapping out suggested exercises that didn’t suit me that day.

Exercise library and form videos (5/5)

This is Fitbod’s strongest area. There are more than 1,600 exercises with video demos, and it only programmed moves for the equipment I told it I had – bodyweight, bands, dumbbells or a full gym. That’s why I think it’s one of the best apps for dumbbell workouts and a great choice for home gyms or hotel gyms.

Progress tracking (4.5/5)

Fitbod’s charts were some of the best-looking of the four. The Strength Score gave a nice overall view of how I was progressing, and the muscle recovery view helped explain why it had chosen each workout.

Price and free plan (3/5)

This is where Fitbod falls down. It’s the most expensive app of the four, and there’s no free plan to fall back on once the trial ends.

Pros

• Builds every workout for you automatically
• Plans around muscle recovery
• Adapts to any equipment, including bodyweight
• 1,600+ exercises with videos
• Apple Watch and Wear OS support, plus Strava and Fitbit syncing

Cons

• Most expensive app here, with no free plan
• Takes a few weeks to learn your level
• No fixed plan, periodisation or deloads

Verdict: Fitbod was the app that asked the least of me. On busy days, or when I was travelling and stuck with a hotel gym, it was brilliant to open it and have a workout ready that fitted the kit in front of me. That’s exactly why I’d recommend it to beginners, as it removes the fear of not knowing what to do. But the constant variety that makes it great for newer lifters is also what held me back. I wanted to see my squat and bench numbers climb week after week, and that was easier with a structured plan. If you’re a beginner, train at home, or simply don’t want to think about programming, Fitbod is a great choice. If you want structure and precise progression, Alpha Progression is better.

Alpha Progression vs Fitbod vs Hevy vs Boostcamp: Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s how the four compare at a glance.

My scorecard (out of 5)

Criteria	Alpha Progression	Boostcamp	Hevy	Fitbod
Progression guidance	5	4	3	4
Programming	5	4.5	3.5	3.5
Logging experience	4.5	4.5	5	4
Exercise library and videos	4.5	3.5	4	5
Progress tracking	4.5	4	4	4.5
Price and free plan	4	4.5	5	3
Overall	4.6	4.2	4.1	4.0

Alpha Progression wins where it matters most for building muscle – progression and programming. Hevy wins on logging and price, and Fitbod wins on its exercise library. Here’s how their features compare.

	Alpha Progression	Fitbod	Hevy	Boostcamp
Best for	Hypertrophy, guided progression	Beginners, home workouts	Free logging, social	Proven strength programs
Free plan	Yes (logging, manual plans, videos)	No (free trial only)	Yes (4 routines, 7 custom exercises)	Yes (full program library)
Paid price (US)	$12.99/mo or $79.99/yr	$15.99/mo or $95.99/yr	$2.99/mo, $23.99/yr or $74.99 lifetime	$14.99/mo or $59.99/yr
Weight and rep recommendations	Yes, every set (uses RIR)	Yes (changes workouts daily)	Yes, with Hevy Trainer (Pro)	Yes (program-based auto-progression)
Plan builder	Yes, with periodisation and deloads	Builds each workout daily	Hevy Trainer (Pro) + manual routines	11,000+ programs + builder
RIR / RPE logging	RIR	Not a core feature	Set types (warm-up, drop, failure)	RPE and RIR
Exercise library	795 with real-gym videos	1,600+ with videos	Videos + custom exercises	Exercise demos
Watch support	No	Apple Watch and Wear OS	Apple Watch and Wear OS	Not listed
Social features	No	No	Yes	New community feature

Alpha Progression vs Hevy: Hevy is the better free tracker, and Hevy Trainer has made it a stronger coach. But Alpha Progression’s set-by-set, RIR-based recommendations are still more precise. If you want to be told exactly what to lift, pick Alpha Progression.

Alpha Progression vs Fitbod: Both give you recommendations, but Alpha Progression works within a structured plan, while Fitbod changes your workout daily. I preferred the structure for building muscle.

Hevy vs Boostcamp: Both have strong free plans. Choose Boostcamp if you want a famous, ready-made program, and Hevy if you want to log your own.

Other Strength Apps Worth Mentioning

These four aren’t the only options. A few others I’ve covered in my guide to the best weightlifting apps are worth a look:

• Strong – a simple, no-nonsense workout tracker, and a close rival to Hevy.
• JEFIT – a long-running app with a large exercise database and a usable free version.
• Stronglifts 5×5 – ideal if you want a basic compound-lift program for beginners.
• Future – pairs you with a real personal trainer, if you want human coaching rather than an algorithm.

If you’re after something beyond lifting, such as yoga, HIIT or classes, take a look at my roundup of the best online fitness programs and apps.

FAQs

Which is better, Alpha Progression or Hevy?

For most people wanting to build muscle, Alpha Progression. It gives you weight and rep recommendations for every set based on your RIR, and builds a personalised plan with periodisation and deloads. Hevy is better if you want a free, fast workout log and social features, and its Pro plan now includes Hevy Trainer for basic programming and auto-progression.

Is Alpha Progression better than Fitbod?

In my experience, yes, if you want structure. Alpha Progression follows a consistent plan with progression built in. Fitbod builds a new workout each day around recovery and equipment, which suits beginners and home workouts better.

Is Boostcamp really free?

Yes. Boostcamp’s free plan includes its full library of 11,000+ programs, workout tracking and a custom program builder. Pro adds exclusive programs and advanced analytics.

Is Hevy free?

Hevy has a free plan with unlimited logging and no ads, but it’s limited to 4 routines, 7 custom exercises and 3 months of graph history. Pro removes those limits from $2.99 a month.

Does Fitbod have a free version?

No. Fitbod has a free trial, but after that it’s a paid subscription at $15.99 a month or $95.99 a year.

Which strength app is best for progressive overload?

Alpha Progression. It tells you exactly what weight, reps and intensity to aim for on every set based on your last performance, which is progressive overload made simple.

Which app is best for beginners?

Fitbod, because it builds every workout for you. Alpha Progression is also a great option for beginners in a gym thanks to its plan generator and form videos.

Bottom Line

After using all four, Alpha Progression is still my favourite, and it’s the app I’d recommend to most people who lift to build muscle. Nothing else tells you so clearly what to do on every single set.

That said, the right app depends on the type of lifter you are:

• Want to be coached set by set? Alpha Progression
• Want a free logbook with friends? Hevy
• Want to run 5/3/1, GZCL or nSuns? Boostcamp
• New to lifting or training at home? Fitbod

If you want to try my top pick, remember that Fitness Drum readers get 20% off Alpha Progression Pro plus a 14-day free trial with code FD20.