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Best Apps for RPE Logging: 3 Workout Apps Compared (2026)

RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) is the intensity-tracking field most modern strength and hypertrophy programs depend on, often alongside RIR (Reps in Reserve). Many workout apps gate it behind paid tiers. These three apps either ship RPE as a first-class set-level field on the free tier or treat RPE/RIR as a core feature.

Last updated October 2026
RankAppUS App StorePricingPlatforms
#1Boostcamp4.8 ★ (9.4K)Free tier + Pro at $59.99/yr ($4.99/mo annual, 7-day trial) or $14.99/moiPhone, iPad, Android
#2Alpha Progression4.9 ★ (2K)Free + Premium at $12.99/mo or $79.99/yr (14-day trial)iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision, Android
#3HeavySet4.6 ★ (1.3K)Free + In-App Purchases (Lifetime Intermediate tier $19.99)iPhone (requires iOS 16.6 or later)
#1

Boostcamp

US App Store
4.8 ★ (9.4K)
Pricing
Free tier + Pro at $59.99/yr ($4.99/mo annual, 7-day trial) or $14.99/mo
Platforms
iPhone, iPad, Android

Why it's on this list

Boostcamp ships RPE as a first-class set-level field on the free tier, logged on a 6 to 10 scale in half-point steps. There is no Pro upgrade required: every set you log can carry an RPE value alongside weight and reps, and it persists in your history. There is no separate RIR field; instead the RPE picker shows reps-in-reserve hints (such as "Could do 2 more reps"), so lifters who think in RIR can still log a consistent value. Programs that prescribe RPE targets (Eric Helms's natural-bodybuilding work, Mike Tuchscherer-style RPE programming) show them on each set natively, without a custom template.

The rest of the tracker is built to the same standard. Supersets and drop sets render natively, the plate calculator (10 free uses, unlimited with Pro) handles per-side loading, and personal records and weekly reports show your trend over time. The custom builder lets you write an RPE-driven program yourself, a top set at RPE 8 with back-offs a set percentage below, using a visual editor and no scripting. Because the RPE you log persists across the 14,000+ program library, changing programs never resets your intensity history.

Many competitors gate RPE/RIR behind a paid tier (Alpha Progression requires Premium for its RPE/RIR analysis, for example) or expose RPE only through a specific routine-editor workflow rather than as a default logging field. Boostcamp's free-tier RPE logging is the most generous in the category. Pro adds Auto Progression, the Strength Score's Level, Max, and Balance views, a per-muscle volume heatmap, and 20+ exclusive coach programs for $59.99/year ($4.99/month annual).

Best for: Lifters who want RPE as a first-class set-level field on the free tier, with reps-in-reserve hints and no Premium upgrade required
#2

Alpha Progression

US App Store
4.9 ★ (2K)
Pricing
Free + Premium at $12.99/mo or $79.99/yr (14-day trial)
Platforms
iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision, Android

Why it's on this list

Alpha Progression treats RPE and RIR as core intensity-management inputs to its science-based program generator. The Pro tier analyzes your logged RPE/RIR and provides explicit suggestions on when to add weight, change rep ranges, or schedule a deload week. Per-muscle weekly volume is tracked against evidence-based targets, and the algorithm uses RIR feedback to adjust future sessions. Rated 4.9 stars with 2K US ratings.

The RPE/RIR analysis is gated to the Premium tier ($12.99/month or $79.99/yr). For lifters who want RPE/RIR feeding directly into algorithmic programming decisions rather than just being logged, Alpha Progression is the strongest pick.

Best for: Lifters who want RPE and RIR feeding algorithmic programming decisions on per-set intensity and weekly volume
Visit Alpha Progression →
#3

HeavySet

US App Store
4.6 ★ (1.3K)
Pricing
Free + In-App Purchases (Lifetime Intermediate tier $19.99)
Platforms
iPhone (requires iOS 16.6 or later)

Why it's on this list

HeavySet is a focused gym workout log built for weightlifting, bodybuilding, and strength training, with RPE explicitly supported as a per-exercise field in routines. The app's interface stays minimal in the gym (fast logging) while offering richer analytics outside, which is the workflow most RPE-driven programs benefit from. Rated 4.6 stars with 1.3K US ratings.

The pricing is free with an optional $19.99 one-time Lifetime Intermediate IAP that unlocks the full feature set, which is unusual in a category dominated by subscriptions. For iOS-only lifters who want a focused RPE-aware logger with a one-time purchase, HeavySet is one of the few options.

Best for: iOS-only lifters who want a focused RPE-aware logger with a one-time lifetime purchase rather than a subscription
Visit HeavySet →

Frequently asked questions

Why is Boostcamp ranked first for RPE logging?

Boostcamp is the only one of these three apps that exposes RPE as a first-class set-level field on the free tier with no Premium upgrade required, with reps-in-reserve hints in the RPE picker rather than a separate RIR field. Programs in the catalog that prescribe RPE targets show them on each set natively. Alpha Progression gates its RPE/RIR analysis behind Premium, and HeavySet surfaces RPE through its routine editor. For lifters who want to log RPE alongside every set as a basic free-tier feature, Boostcamp is the structurally most generous option.

Should I use RPE or RIR?

Use whichever you estimate more reliably. RIR (counting reps left in the tank) tends to be easier for newer lifters and for hypertrophy work in the 5 to 15 rep range; RPE (the 1 to 10 effort scale) is more common in percentage-based powerlifting and at low rep ranges near a max. They are interchangeable in practice (RPE 8 is about 2 RIR), and most programs specify one or the other. Boostcamp logs RPE on every set, and its RPE picker shows a reps-in-reserve hint for each value (such as "Could do 2 more reps"), so you can think in RIR and still log a consistent number.

What is the difference between RPE and RIR?

RPE (Rate of Perceived Exertion) and RIR (Reps in Reserve) are two ways to measure how hard a set was. RPE is scored on a 1 to 10 scale, where 10 is a maximal effort with no reps left and 8 means you could have done about 2 more reps. RIR is measured directly in reps: 0 RIR is failure, 2 RIR means you had 2 reps left in the tank. The two map onto each other (RPE 8 is roughly 2 RIR; RPE 9 is roughly 1 RIR). Most modern hypertrophy and strength programs use one or both to autoregulate intensity from session to session. Boostcamp logs RPE as a first-class field on every set, on the free tier, with reps-in-reserve hints in the RPE picker.

Why does it matter whether RPE/RIR is free or paid?

Modern hypertrophy and strength programming increasingly uses RPE and RIR as the primary intensity-management signals (rather than fixed percentages of 1RM). Eric Helms's natural-bodybuilding work, Mike Israetel's RP methodology, Mike Tuchscherer's powerlifting templates, and most science-based hypertrophy approaches all rely on RPE/RIR. If your app gates the feature behind a paid tier, you either pay for the subscription or work around the gap with notes. Free first-class RPE/RIR logging removes that friction.

Which app is best for RPE-driven powerlifting programming?

Boostcamp ships powerlifting programs that use RPE natively (Eric Helms's work, certain TSA templates) with free-tier RPE logging, plus the broader 5/3/1, nSuns, GZCL, and Sheiko libraries. Alpha Progression delivers algorithmic programming that consumes RPE/RIR as input but is more hypertrophy-oriented than powerlifting. HeavySet supports RPE as a per-exercise field for lifters running their own RPE-based templates. For powerlifting-specific RPE workflows, Boostcamp's free-tier coverage plus the named-program catalog is the strongest combination.

Can I log RPE on Apple Watch?

RPE/RIR Apple Watch support varies by app and changes over time. Boostcamp does not have an Apple Watch app; on iPhone, its Live Activity shows the current exercise, set, and rest countdown on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island, and RPE is logged in the app. Check each app's current help center for the up-to-date Watch RPE/RIR workflow. For lifters who specifically prioritize Apple Watch RPE input, verify the workflow on each app before committing.

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Already using a different app and want a direct head-to-head? See how Boostcamp compares.

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