Happy Scale
6.8
StrongLifts
7.2Happy Scale vs StrongLifts
Happy Scale and StrongLifts are different kinds of fitness apps. Happy Scale tracks body weight, smooths daily changes and estimates when you may reach a target. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Mac, with a free plan and paid upgrades.
StrongLifts plans barbell workouts, sets, reps and weights for beginner and intermediate lifters. It runs on iOS, Android, Mac and Windows, requires a subscription after a trial, and connects with Apple Health or Health Connect. This comparison suits someone choosing between weight-trend tracking and structured strength training.
| Happy Scale | StrongLifts | |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist score | 6.8 | 7.2 |
| Works with a watch | — | Yes |
| Watch families named | — | Apple Watch |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Paid from | $1/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Platforms | iPhone, Mac | Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Mobile platforms | iPhone | iPhone and Android |
| Paid from | — | $11.99/user/mo |
| Workout programming | — | Adaptive |
| Progress tracking | — | Analytics |
| Exercise library | — | Extensive |
| Coach tools | — | None |
| Wearable sync | — | Yes |
Happy Scale
Happy Scale suits someone who wants weight changes viewed as a trend rather than a series of isolated readings. Its Apple-only reach is clear, and the core tracker costs nothing to start. Paid tiers add premium features, while lifetime access avoids a recurring charge. Check the lack of a named watch app and the iPad Apple Health restriction before choosing it. If you use several devices, treat Dropbox syncing as optional and verify that your profiles link correctly.
- Moving averages reduce the effect of daily scale swings.
- Milestones divide a larger target into smaller goals.
- Forecasts estimate timing for a target weight.
StrongLifts
StrongLifts suits someone who wants a prescribed barbell routine with progression handled inside the app. The beginner and intermediate templates give a clear starting point, while exercise substitutions and custom programs leave room to adjust the plan. Apple Watch users get set logging, rest alerts, and calculation tools on the watch. Budget for a subscription: there is no free plan, and only the yearly option carries a 7-day trial. Check platform needs carefully if you use a watch other than Apple Watch.
- Automatic progression responds to successful and failed sets.
- More than 100 exercises include videos and form guidance.
- Apple Watch logs sets and provides rest notifications.
Round by round
Price and billing
Happy Scale has a free download with core weight tracking and optional premium upgrades. Its listed paid plans are $1.99 a month, $11.99 a year, or $39.99 once for lifetime access. StrongLifts is free to download but requires a subscription to use after its trial terms. Listed plans include $4.99 monthly for Pro Weekly, $11.99 monthly, $29.99 monthly for quarterly billing, $59.99 yearly, or $199.99 for five years. The yearly plan includes a 7-day trial; monthly and quarterly plans do not. Happy Scale wins because it offers usable free tracking and lower listed paid entry points.
Happy Scale takes this round
Free access and trial
Happy Scale has a free plan and also offers a free trial, while its maker lists premium upgrades separately. StrongLifts has no free plan. Its app is free to download, but a subscription is required, and the 7-day trial applies to the yearly plan only. The monthly and quarterly plans do not include a free trial in the listed terms. Both therefore provide a way to try the product, but only Happy Scale leaves a continuing free option for core use. Happy Scale wins on ongoing free access.
Happy Scale takes this round
Core fitness features
Happy Scale focuses on body-weight trends. It uses moving averages and four smoothing methods, breaks goals into milestones, estimates future weights and target dates, and includes a BMI calculator. StrongLifts plans scheduled strength sessions and selects exercises, sets, reps and weights. It supports StrongLifts 5×5, StrongLifts 5×5 Intermediate and Madcow 5×5, with automatic progression, failure repeats and deloads. It also offers assistance work, custom programs, more than 100 exercises with videos, warmup and plate calculators, a rest timer and one-tap logging. StrongLifts wins for the larger workout-planning feature set.
StrongLifts takes this round
Ease of following a plan
Happy Scale presents weight changes through trend lines and moving averages, reducing the effect of daily fluctuations. Users can choose among four smoothing methods and may weigh less often than daily, although the maker says more frequent entries improve estimates. StrongLifts guides users through scheduled workouts and automatically adjusts weights after successful or failed sets, with deloads after repeated failures or a break. Reviewers describe both apps as simple and clear, but they solve different tasks. The facts do not establish one as easier overall, so this round is a tie.
Health and device integrations
Happy Scale can import weights from Apple Health and export its entries back, with permission. It can also sync profiles through Dropbox, storing only its own files in the app folder. Apple Health is not available on iPad. StrongLifts sends workouts, duration, estimated calories and body weight to Apple Health on iOS, and exchanges those records with Health Connect on Android. Its Apple Watch app logs sets, shows workout data, sends rest notifications and supports warmup and plate calculations. StrongLifts wins because it supports more health systems and a dedicated watch app.
StrongLifts takes this round
Supported platforms
Happy Scale supports iPhone and iPad on iOS or iPadOS 16 and later, plus Macs with Apple silicon and macOS 14 or later. Its listed mobile platform is iOS, and Apple Health is unavailable on iPad. StrongLifts supports Android and iOS, and its listed platform coverage also includes macOS and Windows. The App Store requirements list iOS 17, iPadOS 17, macOS 14 on Apple silicon, visionOS 1 and watchOS 10. StrongLifts wins for covering both major mobile systems and Windows in addition to Apple's platforms.
StrongLifts takes this round
Customer support
Happy Scale provides support by email at [email protected]. Its documentation also explains smoothing methods, weight-entry behavior, Apple Health imports and Dropbox synchronization. StrongLifts directs users with app issues to contact support from within the app. Its help center provides step-by-step guides for purchases, cancellations, Apple Health, Health Connect and workout logging. The facts describe different support channels and documentation, but do not show response times, service levels or a clear advantage for either product. This round is therefore a tie.
Data storage and privacy
Happy Scale stores health data locally on the device by default and does not require a server login. Data leaves the device only when the user chooses Apple Health or Dropbox synchronization. The maker says it does not share personal or health data without permission, and that analytics are aggregate, anonymous and exclude health data and IP addresses. StrongLifts says Google Play reports no third-party sharing, encryption in transit and deletion requests, while Apple's listing reports collection of purchases, device identifiers, usage data and diagnostics without user linkage. Happy Scale wins on local-first storage and the narrower stated analytics scope.
Happy Scale takes this round
Pick Happy Scale if
- You want a free weight-tracking app with trend smoothing.
- You use Apple devices and may sync with Apple Health.
- You prefer local storage and optional Dropbox backup.
Pick StrongLifts if
- You want scheduled barbell workouts and automatic progression.
- You need Android, Windows or Apple Watch support.
- You want exercise videos, calculators and detailed lifting charts.
The short of it
Happy Scale suits someone whose main task is understanding body-weight change. Its free plan, moving averages, milestone goals and local-first storage keep the focus on weight trends and target estimates. StrongLifts suits someone who wants a programmed strength routine, with 5×5 templates, automatic weight changes, deloads, exercise guidance and charts for lifting progress. StrongLifts covers more platforms and health connections, including Android, Windows, Health Connect and Apple Watch. Choose based on the task: weight-goal tracking points to Happy Scale; scheduled barbell training points to StrongLifts.
What buyers ask
Does Happy Scale have a free plan?
Yes. Happy Scale offers a free plan for core weight tracking, with optional premium upgrades and a free trial.
Is StrongLifts free to use?
No. It is free to download but requires a subscription. The yearly plan has a 7-day trial; monthly and quarterly plans have no trial.
Which app supports Android?
StrongLifts supports Android. Happy Scale's listed mobile platform is iOS, with iPad and Mac support.
Can they connect to Apple Health?
Yes. Happy Scale imports and exports weight entries. StrongLifts can send workouts, duration, calories and body weight to Apple Health.
Which app has Apple Watch support?
StrongLifts has an Apple Watch app for logging sets, rest notifications, workout data, warmup calculations and plate calculations.
Where is health data stored?
Happy Scale stores health data locally by default and uses Apple Health or Dropbox only when chosen. StrongLifts reports encryption in transit and deletion requests.
Listed together on Best Workout Tracking Apps in 2026.