MusclistLooking for a free alternative to Strong?
Strong is one of the best-loved workout trackers, but its free version is limited to 3 routines. Strong PRO unlocks the rest. Musclist is a gym log with no paid tier: save up to 30 workouts, log every set, see which muscles you trained and get AI coaching notes every week, for free.
| Feature | Musclist | Strong |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, no subscription | Free version, or PRO from $4.99/month |
| Saved workouts on the free plan | Up to 30 | 3 routines |
| Unlimited workout logging | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | None | None |
| Charts on the free plan | Top set, best and total per exercise | Limited, full charts with PRO |
| Plate and warm-up calculators | No | With PRO |
| Apple Watch app | Not yet | Yes, works without your iPhone |
| Export to CSV | Not yet | Yes |
| Custom exercises | No, a library of 147 exercises | Yes |
Strong prices are from the US App Store and vary by country. Strong limits are from its App Store listing. Checked October 2026.
Why lifters switch to Musclist
More than 3 workouts, still free
A 4- or 5-day split does not fit in 3 routines. Musclist saves up to 30 workouts and never asks you to upgrade.
See the muscles you worked
Every session ends with a muscle map. The darker a muscle, the more sets it got, so the gaps in your week stand out.
AI coaching notes every week
Opt in and AI reads a summary of your training week, without your name or email: volume against last week, sets per muscle and what to adjust next. Free, like everything else.
Steps that match your equipment
Weight and reps start from last time. The ± buttons step 5 kg on a pin stack and 2.5 kg on a cable or a barbell, so you rarely type a number.
Choose Strong if…
- you log from an Apple Watch, with or without your phone
- you want plate and warm-up calculators
- you export your data to spreadsheets
- you need exercises that are not in a preset library
Switching from Strong
Musclist cannot import your Strong history yet, so keep your CSV export. Rebuilding your routine takes a few minutes: create a workout for each day and add its exercises, or log a session and save it to your routine in one tap. Your next session starts from the weights you enter.
Questions
Is Musclist really free?
Yes. There is no PRO plan, no subscription and no ads.
How do the AI insights work?
They are optional. When you ask for your weekly report, AI analyses a summary of that week’s sets, without your name or email, and gives you notes on volume, muscle balance and what to adjust. It is information, not medical advice.
How many routines can I save?
Your routine holds up to 30 workouts, such as Push, Pull and Legs, each with up to 40 exercises. Strong’s free version is limited to 3.
Can I import my workouts from Strong?
Not yet. Your Strong history stays in Strong, and you start fresh in Musclist.
Does Musclist work on Apple Watch?
Not yet. Musclist runs on iPhone and Android.
Can I create custom exercises?
No. You pick from a library of 147 exercises covering machines, free weights, cables, bodyweight and cardio, each searchable under the names gyms use.