Best Weight Lifting App in 2026: 8 Apps Compared

Strong is built for one job: log a workout quickly and move on. You pick a routine, tap through sets, and the app records weight, reps and rest without extra screens. Progression charts show how a lift changes over time, and Apple Watch support lets you log from your wrist. That speed matters in a busy gym, where a slow app breaks focus between sets.

The limits are clear. The free tier limits you to three custom routines, and Strong does not build sessions for you or offer a large coached program library. If you already follow a barbell program such as a simple linear progression plan, Strong is ideal. If you want the app to choose exercises each day, Fitbod or Jefit will suit you better.

Hevy pairs a clean logger with a social feed, so you can follow friends, see their workouts and share your own. The free tier allows unlimited workout logging, which is generous, and Pro is among the cheapest upgrades on this list. For lifters who stay consistent because friends see their training, that social pull is a real feature, not a gimmick.

Free limits still apply. The free tier caps routines and limits how far back some graphs go, and Pro lifts those limits and adds custom exercises and longer history. Hevy also offers a Trainer feature for algorithmic plans on paid tiers. If you train alone and dislike social feeds, Strong is cleaner, but Hevy is better value if you want community and a low upgrade price.

Jefit has been around for many years, and its library shows it. You get a large set of exercises with instructions, plus community and pre-built plans that give structure without a coach. Body statistics, measurements and per-muscle analysis help you see which muscle groups you train most and which you neglect, which is useful for balanced programming.

New users may find the app busy at first, because there are many menus, plans and stats to explore. The free tier includes ads, and logging a custom session can take more taps than Strong. If you want depth, plans and analysis in one app and you are willing to learn the layout, Jefit is the strongest all-rounder here after Strong and Hevy.

Fitbod removes planning from the gym visit. You tell it your goals, available equipment and experience, and it builds each session, picks weights and adjusts for recovery and past performance. That suits people who know they want to lift but do not want to write programs, and it works well for home gyms with limited equipment.

The trade-off is control and cost. Fitbod has no free tier, only a trial, and the yearly price is higher than Strong or Hevy Pro. If you follow a fixed barbell program and want to log it exactly, a simple logger will feel more direct. If you want the app to decide each session and you will use it several times a week, Fitbod can justify its price.

Boostcamp is built around following a program, not inventing one. You pick a program from a coach or creator, follow its weeks and sessions, and the app handles progression and logging within that structure. That appeals to lifters who want guidance but do not want a personal coach, and who like seeing other people on the same program.

If you prefer to write your own sessions, Boostcamp will feel restrictive compared with Strong or Hevy. Full access also requires a paid tier after a trial, so check which programs are included before you pay. For a lifter who wants a clear plan for the next 8 to 12 weeks, Boostcamp is a practical middle ground between a free logger and a coached service.

Nike Training Club is the best free option for guided training, especially at home or in a gym without a written plan. Workouts include video instruction, timed intervals and structured plans, and the app covers strength, mobility and conditioning, not only lifting. For beginners, that guidance lowers the barrier to starting.

Serious barbell lifters will notice the gaps. Logging is less detailed than Strong, Hevy or Jefit, and progression tracking for a specific lift is thinner. Use Nike Training Club if you want guided sessions and variety for free. Use a dedicated logger alongside it if you also want precise set, rep and weight history for barbell lifts.

GymBook suits lifters who want a simple tracker without social feeds or AI plans. You log workouts, review history and track progress, and Pro adds extra features at a low price. The interface stays out of the way, which helps if you found Jefit busy or Hevy distracting.

The cost of that simplicity is breadth. There are fewer built-in programs, less community content and fewer analysis tools than the larger apps here. GymBook is best as a low-cost, no-fuss logger for someone who already knows what to lift each session and just wants a reliable record.

Setgraph is a freestyle tracker for lifters who do not want to fit every session into a fixed template. You can log varied sessions, review progress and keep a history without paying for a core logger. That flexibility suits people who mix barbell work, machines and bodyweight training in one week.

Because Setgraph is smaller than the main apps here, you should check that it supports your phone and watch, and that export options meet your needs, before you build a long history in it. If it fits your devices, it is a solid free alternative to Strong and Hevy for lifters who value flexibility over community or coached programs.