The best free powerlifting app in 2026 (Boostcamp vs Hevy vs FitForge)

If you train for strength — squat, bench, deadlift — the app you pick matters more than for general fitness. Here's the honest rundown of the free powerlifting apps that actually deliver.

Quick answer

Boostcamp is the best free powerlifting app in 2026 if you want pre-built programs (GZCL, nSuns, Candito, 5/3/1, Sheiko — all in the free tier). Hevy is the best if you want a polished workout logger with social features. FitForge is the one to look at if you want workout + meal plan in one app with training-day-aware macros.

What makes powerlifting different from general fitness

For powerlifting, you need an app that:

• Handles the big 3: squat, bench, deadlift (with all their variations)
• Tracks training max + working weights over multiple cycles
• Calculates percentages for programs like 5/3/1, nSuns, GZCL
• Records RPE/RIR (rate of perceived exertion / reps in reserve)
• Calculates estimated 1RM from your working sets
• Tracks PRs (personal records) over time

Most general workout apps miss one or more of these. Here's which free apps actually get powerlifting right.

The real options (2026)

1. Boostcamp — best program library (free tier)

Boostcamp's free tier includes most of the popular powerlifting programs: GZCL, nSuns, Candito 6 Week, 5/3/1, Sheiko, Calgary Barbell, Bullmastiff, TSA 9-Week. The app auto-calculates working weights from your training max, tracks RPE, and progresses you through the program. iOS and Android.

Where it wins: the program library is huge and curated by real coaches. The free tier covers the programs most powerlifters actually run.

Where it doesn't: no nutrition tracking. If you want your macros matched to your training day, Boostcamp doesn't do that.

2. Hevy — best free workout logger

Hevy is widely considered the best free alternative to Strong. For powerlifting, you get RPE tracking, set types (warm-up, normal, failure, drop), calculated 1RMs, plate calculator, rest timer, and progress charts. Free tier allows 4 custom routines at a time.

Where it wins: polished mobile UI, social feed, RPE tracking, free tier is generous.

Where it doesn't: no pre-built programs (you build your own), no nutrition, mobile-only.

3. Liftosaur — best for advanced customization (free)

Liftosaur uses a scriptable engine that lets you automate complex strength progression rules — e.g., "if I hit 3x5 @ RPE 8, add 5 lbs next week; if I fail, drop weight by 10%." Core features are 100% free. iOS, Android, and web.

Where it wins: most flexible app for powerlifters who understand programming. Web version.

Where it doesn't: steeper learning curve. Scripting engine requires time to learn.

4. FitForge — best for workout + nutrition in one app

FitForge is what I built. It has a built-in 7-day program with beginner/intermediate/advanced levels, plus a 7-day meal plan that rotates macros by training day. The macro rotation is the thing no other powerlifting app does — high carb on heavy lift days, lower on rest days, more protein on recovery days.

Where FitForge wins for powerlifting:

• Free forever with the full program + meal plan
• Web app — works in any browser (you can log your sets on a laptop at the gym)
• Watch view for Apple Watch and Wear OS (browser-based)
• Macros that rotate by training day — high carb on heavy days
• Streak system that doesn't use freeze days

Where FitForge doesn't (yet) for powerlifting:

• No RPE/RIR tracking yet
• No auto-calculated 5/3/1 percentages (set weights manually)
• Smaller exercise library than dedicated trackers
• No native iOS/Android app (PWA + browser)

5. Strong — best minimalist logbook

Strong is the original workout logger. Clean UI, fast set/rep/weight entry, RPE, estimated 1RM, body weight. Free tier allows 3 saved routines.

Where it wins: mature app, been around since 2015, Apple Watch app.

Where it doesn't: free tier is limited (3 routines), no programs, no nutrition.

How to pick the right one

What I'd do if I were starting powerlifting today

For the first 6 months, Boostcamp is the smart pick.The free program library covers 90% of what a powerlifter would run. The auto-calculated percentages save you from arithmetic errors. Use a separate app (MyFitnessPal or a spreadsheet) to track macros.

If you want everything in one app and you care about macros matching your training day, try FitForge. It's not as deep on powerlifting-specific features (no RPE tracking, no auto-calc yet), but the consolidation of workout + meal plan is real.

FAQ

Is there a free powerlifting app with nutrition tracking?

FitForge is the only one I've found that combines powerlifting workouts with a 7-day meal plan that rotates macros by training day. Boostcamp, Hevy, Liftosaur, and Strong are all workout-only.

Can I use these apps for meet prep?

Yes — most powerlifters running meet prep use Hevy, Strong, or a dedicated tracker for the actual logging, plus a spreadsheet for attempt selection. Boostcamp and FitForge don't have meet-specific features (attempt selectors, commands table, etc.) yet.

What's the best free powerlifting app for beginners?

Boostcamp, hands down. Pick a beginner program (GZCLP, Starting Strength, or 5/3/1 for Beginners), enter your starting weights, and the app does the math. The free tier covers it.

Last updated: August 13, 2026. I built FitForge, so I'm biased. Tried to be fair about where other apps do things better.