Hevy vs Strong

Hevy and Strong are both set-by-set gym loggers, and both call the basic account free. The main difference is what surrounds the log. Hevy adds a social layer where you follow athletes and save their routines, plus watch apps and a web version. Strong stays closer to a plain notebook with supersets, RPE and a warm-up calculator. Neither vendor shows a paid price on the pages we could read, so the cost of the upgrade is unknown for both, and the choice rests on features and on where each company says it is based.

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Both are reviewed in full in our workout tracker apps ranking: Hevy and Strong.

1. 01

   Following other lifters

   Hevy lets you follow other athletes and save their routines, which turns the app into a feed as well as a plain log of sets. It also supports custom exercises and exercise videos, and a separate Hevy Coach product serves personal trainers who build programs for their clients and track progress. Strong's pages show no social features at all, only logging. If seeing what friends train matters to you, only Hevy lists it, and trainers can look at Hevy Coach.

   Edge: Hevy

2. 02

   What a logged set can record

   Hevy marks warm-up, drop and failure sets, runs automatic rest timers, stores exercise notes and includes a routine planner. Strong logs supersets, custom exercises and RPE, also uses a warm-up calculator and draws advanced charts. The overlap is large here, and the difference is in the detail: Strong names RPE and supersets, Hevy names drop and failure marking. Check which of those labels you actually use in a real session before you decide, since either list covers the everyday needs.

   Depends on the buyer

3. 03

   Devices and offline use

   Hevy runs on iOS, Android, Apple Watch and WearOS, with a web version at hevy.com, and its watch tracking works offline, which suits a gym with poor signal. Strong runs on iPhone, Android and Apple Watch, and its homepage says training can be accessed from any device. We saw no web app or WearOS watch app listed for Strong. For a Wear OS watch or a browser, Hevy is the one that lists support, while Strong lists Apple Health and Siri Shortcuts.

   Edge: Hevy

4. 04

   Leaving with your data

   Strong's homepage says you can export your data at any time, and Strong PRO adds best sets, max one-rep tracking and body fat percentage. Hevy's pages state no export option, and the progress tools we could read are only charts, personal records, a one-rep-max calculator and full history. If a clean exit matters to you as a daily user, Strong makes the clearer promise on its own site, though we found no open-source licence statement for either app.

   Edge: Strong

5. 05

   The price you cannot see

   Hevy's homepage calls it a free workout tracker, but its pricing page loaded only a placeholder, so we read no plan names or amounts. Strong says its accounts are free forever and mentions Strong PRO, and its terms name monthly, yearly and lifetime options without amounts. The trial length is not stated anywhere we read. Neither side gives a number to compare, so open each app store listing before you pay, and read the refund rules there too.

   Depends on the buyer

6. 06

   Company details behind the apps

   Hevy's terms name Hevy Studios S.L., registered at a street address in Calonge, Spain, and mention the federal courts of Spain for proceedings under its terms. Strong's terms say the service is operated by Strong Fitness PTE. Ltd and under Singapore law, but no country of establishment or registered address is stated. Hevy is clearer about where it is based, and that matters if you want a European vendor, though the country of Strong is simply not stated.

   Edge: Hevy

Is Hevy actually free to use?

Its homepage calls it a free workout tracker for iOS and Android. The pricing page loaded blank when we fetched it, so paid plans are unread. We could not read what a paid tier costs.

Where is the company behind Strong based?

The terms name Strong Fitness PTE. Ltd and say Singapore law governs them. They state no registered address or country of establishment. We therefore cannot call it European.

Do Hevy and Strong work on a smartwatch?

Hevy lists Apple Watch and WearOS, and its watch tracking works offline. Strong lists an Apple Watch app only. No WearOS app is listed for Strong.

• Hevy homepage: free tracker wording, platforms, social features, logging tools and charts.
• Hevy pricing page: the page showed only a loading placeholder, so no plan or price was readable.
• Hevy terms and conditions: Hevy Studios S.L. registered in Calonge, Spain.
• Strong homepage: free-forever accounts, PRO features, data export, devices and logging tools.
• Strong terms of service: Singapore operator and law, plus the unpriced monthly, yearly and lifetime options.