// HEAD TO HEAD //

IronLedger vs Strong

A long-established, deliberately simple workout logger with a limited free tier and a paid subscription.

Verified October 2026All comparisons

// THE SHORT ANSWER //

Which one suits you?

Choose Strong if you want a simple, mature logger and nothing more. Choose IronLedger if you want per-set RPE and RIR as first-class fields, explained progression recommendations, spreadsheet import and export, and no subscription. Strong is the more battle-tested product; IronLedger does more of the programming work and does not charge for it.

// AT A GLANCE //

Side by side, no spin.

CapabilityIronLedgerStrong
PriceFree, no paid tierFree tier + Pro subscription
PlatformsiOS public, Android closed testiOS and Android, both public
Per-set RPE and RIRNative fieldsRPE supported
Explains its load recommendationsYes, on five built-in programsAutomatic progression not documented
Multi-week program structureWeeks, days, deloadsRoutine based
Spreadsheet program importCSV and ExcelNot a documented workflow
Free tier limitsNone3 custom routines on free
Logging without an accountYes, locallyAccount required

Competitor pricing and features change without notice. Every figure below is dated and linked to its source. Check the vendor before relying on a number.

// WHERE IRONLEDGER WINS //

Three things we do better.

Programming, not just logging

Multi-week blocks with deload weeks, per-set targets and ten built-in templates, rather than a flat list of routines.

Explained progression

Strong records what you did. On five built-in programs, IronLedger also proposes what to do next and shows the reason behind it, which you can override at any time.

No routine cap, no subscription

Strong limits routines on the free tier. IronLedger has no cap and no paid tier to upgrade to.

// WHERE STRONG WINS //

Three things they do better.

Stated plainly, because a comparison that only flatters one side is not worth reading.

Simplicity

Strong does less on purpose, and for a lot of lifters that is the right call. If you only want to write down what you lifted, IronLedger has more surface area than you need.

Years of polish

Strong has a long track record across many devices and OS versions. IronLedger is on v1.10.1, released in October 2026, and has far less real-world mileage.

Publicly available on Android

Strong is on Google Play for anyone. IronLedger Android is still gated behind closed testing.

// WHO SHOULD CHOOSE WHICH //

Pick the one that fits how you train.

Choose Strong

You want the simplest possible logger from an established name, and you do not need programming structure or progression guidance.

Choose IronLedger

You run multi-week blocks, you record RPE or RIR on every set, and you want the app to reason about progression out loud instead of leaving it to you.

// DIRECT ANSWERS //

Questions people ask before switching.

Is IronLedger a free alternative to Strong?

Yes. IronLedger is free with no in-app purchases and no cap on routines or programs, where Strong limits its free tier and charges for Pro.

Does IronLedger track RPE like Strong?

Yes, or RIR instead, chosen per exercise. Effort is a per-set field rather than a session-level note, and it feeds the load recommendations on the built-in programs.

// SOURCES //

Every claim has a date.

Try it alongside Strong

IronLedger is free with no trial to expire, so running a week in both costs nothing but the logging.

Download free on iOS

On Android, Strong is easier to get

Strong is publicly listed on Google Play. IronLedger is still in closed testing, which means joining a Google Group and opting in with the same account. That is a real disadvantage today, and it is the honest answer.

See the two steps