Forge vs Strong
Strong is a long-established gym logger, quick and focused on recording exactly what you lift. Forge plans your session, puts a streak on the home screen and counts runs and lifts together. If you already know your programme, Strong is hard to beat. If the hard part is deciding what to do and turning up, Forge is aimed at you.
I make Forge, so weigh that. Strong facts come from Strong’s own website, help centre and App Store listing, checked in September 2026.
Side by side
| Forge | Strong | |
|---|---|---|
| Main idea | A daily streak and a plan for today | Fast logging of your own workouts |
| Free tier | Daily plan, logging, streak, crews of up to 4 | Unlimited workouts, 3 custom routines |
| Paid tier | Forge Black (subscription) | Strong PRO, subscription or lifetime |
| Apple Watch | Yes, with Forge Black | “Fully-featured” Watch app, with or without the iPhone |
| Rest timer | Yes | Yes, automatic countdown |
| Charts and records | Personal records by estimated one-rep max | Records, 1RM and progress; full charts need PRO |
| Runs | GPS route, pace and splits | — |
| Platforms | iPhone and Apple Watch | iOS, Android, Apple Watch |
| Account | Sign in with Apple, Google or email | Required |
Where Strong is better
- A focused logger. Strong does one job, recording your sets, and has done it for years. If you follow a written programme, you’ll probably log it faster in Strong than in an app that also plans for you.
- Unlimited free workouts. The free version places no cap on logged workouts, only on custom routines. Forge’s free tier doesn’t let you build your own workouts.
- Gym tools. Plate and warm-up calculators and body measurements, listed as PRO features, plus CSV export.
- Android. Strong runs on Android as well as iOS. Forge is Apple only.
- A long track record. Strong says it has more than 5 million users. Forge is new.
Where Forge is better
- It plans the day. Forge builds today’s session for your goal and your week, and uses sleep and heart data from Apple Health to suggest when to go heavy. Strong records the programme you bring.
- The streak. The home screen shows one number, days in a row. If you tend to start well and fade by week three, that’s the reason to use it. How to set one up so it lasts.
- Form videos for exercises on the iPhone, and on the Watch with Forge Black.
- Runs count too. GPS runs with pace and splits go into the same streak as your lifting sessions.
- Crews. A small group can keep a shared streak going, which is a gentle kind of accountability.
Which to pick
Pick Strong if you know your programme, want the fastest logger, use Android or want a lifetime purchase. Pick Forge if you want each day’s session planned, you train with an iPhone, and consistency is what you’re trying to fix. What to track either way.
Forge for iPhone
Today’s session planned for you, and sets logged in seconds. Runs and lifts count toward one streak. Free to download.
Common questions
Is Strong free?
Strong's App Store listing says the free version allows unlimited workouts but is limited to 3 custom routines. Strong PRO adds unlimited templates, full charts and more, and is sold as a subscription or as a lifetime purchase.
Does Strong need an account?
Yes. Strong's help centre says all users are asked to sign up for an account before using the app. Forge also asks you to sign in, with Apple, Google or email.
Which has the better Apple Watch app?
Strong describes a fully featured Watch app for logging workouts with or without your iPhone. Forge's Watch app is part of Forge Black and adds form videos and run tracking on the wrist. If the Watch is central to how you train, try both.
Can I move my history from Strong to Forge?
Forge doesn't currently import other apps' histories. If a long record matters to you, keep your old app's export somewhere safe.
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