VALDA vs Strong
THE SHORT ANSWERBoth log sets, reps and weight, estimate your one-rep max and show no ads. Choose VALDA if you want ready-made programmes that progress by their own rules, to paste in a programme you already have, a Wear OS watch app, or free cycle tracking alongside your lifting. Choose Strong if you want a focused logger you set up yourself, RPE on every set, a CSV export of your workouts, or a one-off lifetime purchase.
Last checked October 2026. Facts about Strong come only from their own published pages, linked below. Prices and features change: if something here is out of date, tell us at support@valda.fit and we'll correct it.
Feature by feature
| Feature | VALDA | Strong |
|---|---|---|
| Log sets, reps and weight | ✓ Sets, reps and weight; RPE and tempo targets carried from your programmeFree on every plan | ✓ Yes[1] |
| Rate RPE on each set | ✕ No per-set RPE rating. Forge (Pro) calculates effort from the sets you log instead | ✓ Yes[2] |
| Estimated one-rep max | ✓ Personal records and estimated 1RM per liftPro | ✓ Yes[3] |
| Turn a written programme into a plan | ✓ Smart Import: paste a programme as text and it becomes a loggable planPro: 5 imports a month | Not stated publicly |
| Ready-made programmes | ✓ Ready-to-run training methods, plus 100+ well-known programmes recognised when you paste themAny programme in the library · Free: 1 programme · Pro: unlimited | ~ Some default templates as examples[4] |
| Automatic progression | ✓ Many library programmes work out your next weight from what you logged, GZCLP for exampleFree: 6 sessions · Pro: unlimited | Not stated publicly |
| Change exercises mid-workout | ✓ FLEX: suggested alternatives mid-workout when the kit is takenPro | ✓ Add, delete or modify exercises during a workout[1] |
| Effort score from every set | ✓ Forge: an effort score calculated from every setPro | Not stated publicly |
| Cycle tracking in the same app | ✓ ValdaFREYA cycle tracking, free foreverFree forever | Not stated publicly |
| Apple Watch | ✓ Apple Watch app; start and log a session with your phone awayFree: 2 watch-tracked workouts · Pro: unlimited | ✓ Log workouts with or without your iPhone[5] |
| Wear OS watch | ✓ Wear OS app; start and log a session with your phone awayFree: 2 watch-tracked workouts · Pro: unlimited | ✕ No; Strong lists iPhone, Android and Apple Watch[6] |
| Personal trainer can follow your training | ✓ Your personal trainer can follow your training and assign programmesYour coach subscribes to VALDA PT | Not stated publicly |
| Social | ~ Private groups (KIN) with leaderboards. No public feedFree: 3 groups · Pro: unlimited | ~ Share routines and workouts with friends[5] |
| Import history from another app | ✕ Not yet. You can paste your current programme and carry on | Not stated publicly |
| Export your workouts | ✕ Not in the app yet. Email us for a copy of your data | ✓ Export to CSV[7] |
| Free plan limits | 1 programme at a time, 30 days of history, 2 watch-tracked workouts, automatic progression for your first 6 sessions | Up to 3 workout templates[4] |
| Paid plan | Free plan. Pro from £5 a month on the web (in-app prices differ) | Strong PRO: monthly, six-monthly, yearly or lifetime (“Forever”) (UK App Store)[5] |
| Ads | No ads | No ads[8] |
| Platforms | ✓ iPhone, Android, Apple Watch, Wear OS and the web | iPhone, Android and Apple Watch[6] |
“Not stated publicly” means we could not find it on Strong's own pages; it does not mean Strong lacks it. VALDA tiers follow our current plan settings. Numbers in brackets link to the source for that cell.
When Strong is the better choice
- You have workout history in Strong and don't want to start fresh. VALDA can't import it yet.
- You want a simple logger you set up yourself, without programmes doing the planning.
- You rate RPE on every set, or want to export your workouts to a spreadsheet.
- You'd rather pay once: Strong offers a lifetime purchase.
When VALDA fits better
- You follow a well-known programme such as GZCLP or 5/3/1 and want the app to work out your next weight (automatic progression: Free: 6 sessions · Pro: unlimited).
- You have a programme written down and want to paste it in rather than build templates by hand.
- You wear a Wear OS watch, or want to log from an Apple Watch with your phone away.
- You track your cycle and want it next to your training, free, in the same app.
VALDA vs Strong, answered
Can I move my Strong history to VALDA?
Not yet. VALDA can't import workout history from other apps. You can paste your current programme into VALDA and carry on from there.
Is VALDA free?
You can start free, and cycle tracking is free forever. VALDA Pro is £5 a month on the web; see the pricing page for annual and in-app prices.
Does VALDA have GZCLP and 5/3/1?
Yes. GZCLP, 5/3/1, nSuns and StrongLifts 5×5 are all in the library, and you can start any of them on the free plan, 1 programme at a time. VALDA recognises 100+ well-known programmes when you paste them. Many library programmes work out your next weight from what you logged (automatic progression: Free: 6 sessions · Pro: unlimited).
Does VALDA work on Wear OS?
Yes. VALDA has an Apple Watch app and a Wear OS app, and you can start and log a session on either with your phone away.
Where these facts come from
Every Strong fact above is taken from the page listed here, checked on the date shown. VALDA facts are checked against our own app. Names are used only to identify the apps; they are the trademarks of their owners, and this page is not endorsed by them.
- Strong Help: my first workout · checked 2026-10-08
- Strong Help: about RPE · checked 2026-10-08
- Strong Help: 1RM · checked 2026-10-08
- Strong Help: about templates · checked 2026-10-08
- Strong on the UK App Store · checked 2026-10-08
- Strong: home page · checked 2026-10-08
- Strong Help: export workout data · checked 2026-10-08
- Strong Help: what is Strong · checked 2026-10-08
Also compared: VALDA vs Hevy · ValdaFREYA vs Flo and Clue