Andy Toth
Finding a good calisthenics app sounds easy until you actually start comparing them. On the surface, most of them promise the same thing: better workouts, smarter progress, and a better body. But once you spend some time with them, the differences show up pretty quickly.
Some apps are great for beginners who just want a clear plan to follow. Others give you more freedom to build your own training. And a few are clearly better if you care about skills, rings, or more serious bodyweight training.
I went through the apps below to see which ones actually feel useful in real life, not just which ones look good on an app store page. My overall favorite is Calisteniapp because it does the best job for most people. Calistree is the best free option, Simple Calisthenics is the one I’d pick if you want more flexibility, and Die Ringe stands out if your training is more skill-focused.
If you just want the quick version before reading the full reviews, this comparison will help you narrow it down fast.
Quick Comparison
A quick summary of the apps I reviewed before diving in.
| App | Best for | Deal | Why I picked it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calisteniapp Best Overall | Most people who want a clear plan, good progressions, and a strong all-around training app. | €69.99 €48.99 30% off first year | The best mix of structure, usability, and progression. This is the one I’d recommend first to most beginners. |
| Calistree Best Free Option | Anyone who wants to get started without paying right away. | $44.99 $35.99 20% off first year | It offers solid value even before you upgrade, so it makes the most sense if budget is your main concern. |
| Simple Calisthenics Best for Flexibility | People who want more control over how they build and customize their training. | $69.99 $52.49 25% off first purchase | Better than most apps if you already know your preferences and do not want to be boxed into one fixed path. |
| Die Ringe Best for Skill Work | Athletes who care more about ring training and skill progressions than generic workouts. | €99.00 €89.10 10% off first year | The clearest niche pick in the group. It stands out if rings are a serious part of your training. |
How I Chose the Best Calisthenics Apps
There are a lot of fitness apps out there, but most of them are not true calisthenics apps. Some lean heavily into gym training, some barely offer anything useful for free, and some look polished at first but fall apart once you start using them regularly.
For this list, I wanted to focus on apps that are genuinely useful for people who want to train with bodyweight exercises, mostly at home and with minimal equipment. A bit of weight training in the exercise library is totally fine, but the app needed to make sense for someone who wants to build a proper calisthenics routine without relying on a full gym.
I also set a few clear rules before including any app on this list.
First, the app needed to have a free version that is actually usable. I do not think an app deserves a spot on a “best” list if the free version is basically just a teaser. On top of that, I wanted the premium version to stay reasonably priced, so I set the bar at under $100 per year.
Second, progression had to be built into the experience. In calisthenics, you do not get very far by randomly jumping from one exercise to another. Whether you are working toward your first push-up, pull-up, handstand, or more advanced skills, the best apps should guide you through a clear progression and gradually increase the difficulty in a logical way.
Proper exercise instruction was another big one for me. In calisthenics, technique matters a lot. Good form is not just about reducing injury risk. It is also what makes the exercise actually work the way it is supposed to. That is why I looked for apps that explain exercises clearly, with written cues as well as video demonstrations.
Personalization also mattered. A good app should do more than hand you a generic workout list. It should be able to adjust to your level, your goals, the equipment you have available, and the amount of time you can realistically train. That is one of the main things that separates a great app from a random PDF plan or a routine you find buried in a Reddit thread.
I also only considered apps that are available on both Android and iPhone. A web version is a nice bonus, but mobile access is the minimum. And because apps live or die by ongoing support, I paid attention to whether there is an active developer or team behind the product who keeps improving it and responds to user feedback over time.
Finally, I wanted to see clear proof that real users actually like using the app. To make this list, the app needed to have a rating above 4 stars in both app stores, and ideally at least 100 reviews across platforms. I like discovering smaller indie apps, but if I am recommending something as one of the best, I want to see that it already works well for a meaningful number of people.
The apps that made this list checked those boxes. They offer strong bodyweight training options, clear exercise instruction, progress tracking, and enough depth to help both beginners and more experienced athletes keep moving forward.
If you want, I can rewrite the next sentence too so it flows naturally into the first app review.
Calisteniapp - Best Overall Calisthenics App for Beginners
Average Rating: 4.7
Annual Price: €69.99 or €48.99 30% OFF on the first year
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extensive Free Content – Over 500 workouts available at no cost for all fitness levels.
- EVO Routines – Adaptive workouts that adjust difficulty based on user feedback.
- Skill Progressions – Step-by-step guidance for advanced moves like planche, front lever, and muscle-ups.
- 21-Day Challenges – Helps build consistency with structured daily workouts.
- Flexible Training Options – Routines for beginners to advanced athletes, with or without equipment.
- Community Focused – Built around collaboration and shared passion for calisthenics.
- Structured PRO Features – Premium users get personalized plans and workout tracking for faster progress.
- Available in Multiple Languages – Designed to be accessible for a global audience.
- Offline Mode – Train anywhere without needing an internet connection.
- Regular Updates – Constantly improving features and adding new workouts.
Cons
- Limited Personalization in Free Version – PRO is required for structured plans and progress tracking.
- No One-on-One Coaching – Lacks direct coaching support for customized feedback.
- Some Features Require PRO – Advanced programming and analytics are locked behind a subscription.
- No Weighted Training Plans – Focuses mainly on bodyweight exercises, not weighted calisthenics.
- No Custom Timer for Workouts – Users can’t modify rest times in pre-made routines.
- Community Features Need Improvement – Social interaction within the app could be stronger.
- Interface Can Feel Overwhelming – Large workout library might be confusing for new users.
Bottom Line
To dive into the features of the app, check out our detailed review of Calisteniapp.
Who Is Calisteniapp Best For?
Beginners: If you are new to calisthenics and want clear progressions for basics like push-ups, dips, and pull-ups, Calisteniapp is one of the easiest apps to start with.
People training at home: If you mostly work out at home or outdoors with little to no equipment, the app works well for bodyweight-focused training.
Anyone who struggles with consistency: The guided programs and 21-day challenges make it easier to stick to a routine instead of guessing what to do next.
Athletes working toward skills: If your goal is to build toward skills like the handstand, front lever, planche, or muscle-up, the app gives you a more structured path than a random workout generator.
People who want personalized workouts: EVO Routines can adjust training based on your level and progress, which makes the experience feel more tailored.
Busy people: If you do not have much time, the app also includes shorter workouts that are easier to fit into a full week.
Bodyweight-first athletes: If you want an app that focuses mainly on calisthenics rather than pushing you toward gym-based strength training, this is a better fit than many general fitness apps.
Users who want a strong free version first: If you are not ready to pay yet, the free library is large enough to let you test the app properly before upgrading.
SIMPLE CALISTHENICS – Best for Custom Workout Plans
Average Rating: 4.6
Annual Price: $69.99 or $52.49 25% OFF with promo code
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Very detailed exercise instructions
- Well designed progression path for advanced calisthenics skills
- Granular customization options for workout plans
- Quick workout creation makes it easy to complement your existing workout plan
Cons
- Exercise library at times incomplete
- Updates could be more frequent
Bottom Line
To dive into the features of the app, check out detailed review of Simple Calisthenics.
Who is Simple Calisthenics Best For?
• People who want more control over their workout plans. Simple Calisthenics stands out if you like to customize your training instead of just following a fixed program. You can adjust things like workout duration, training days, workout split, mobility focus, equipment, and goals, which gives you more flexibility than most calisthenics apps.
• Athletes who care about detailed exercise instructions. One thing I really like about Simple Calisthenics is how thoroughly it explains each movement. The app goes beyond quick cues and does a better job than most at breaking down proper form, which matters a lot in calisthenics.
• More advanced athletes working toward specific skills. If your focus is on skills like the planche or muscle-up, this app makes a lot of sense. The exercise guidance is stronger than average, and the progression paths feel more thoughtful than the usual basic progressions you see in many fitness apps.
• People who already have a routine and just want a smart training tool. Not everyone wants an app to control their full workout schedule. If you already train on your own and just want help building a quick session, getting new ideas, or adding more structure from time to time, Simple Calisthenics works really well in that role.
CALISTREE - Best Free Calisthenics App
Average Rating: 4.9
Annual Price: $44.99 or $35.99 20% OFF with promo code
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Advanced progress tracking
- Very capable free version with no ads.
- Well designed personalized journeys and skill trees
- Large exercise library with over 1300 exercises
- Frequent updates
- You can follow your friends' workouts
Cons
- No Apple Watch app
- Slightly complex user interface
Bottom Line
For more info about the app check out our full Calistree app review.
Who Is Calistree Best For?
• People who want a genuinely good free calisthenics app. Calistree is one of the strongest options if you want to start training without paying right away. The free version is generous, there are no ads getting in the way, and you can still get a lot out of it before deciding whether the paid version is worth it.
• Anyone who struggles to stay motivated. Out of all the apps on this list, Calistree probably leans the hardest into gamification. If you find it easier to stay consistent when your training feels more engaging and progress feels visible, this app has a clear advantage.
• Athletes who want better progress tracking. One of the things that makes Calistree different is its Skill Tree system, which gives you a more visual way to see your progress and how close you are to your goals. That makes the app especially appealing if you like seeing your training develop over time instead of just ticking off workouts.
• People who want access to a huge exercise library. Calistree has one of the biggest exercise libraries in this category, which makes it a good fit if you like variety or want more options as your level improves.
• Users who value active development and regular updates. Calistree also stands out for having a responsive developer behind it and frequent improvements, which matters more than people think. A good fitness app should not feel abandoned after you download it.
DIE RINGE - Best for Skill-Based Ring Training
Average Rating: 4.7
Annual Price: €99.00 or €89.10 10% OFF with promo code
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Specialized for ring training: Perfect for mastering gymnastic skills.
- High-quality video tutorials: Clear, professional, and easy to follow.
- Personalized workout plans: Tailored to your goals and fitness level.
- Free gymnastic rings: Included with the one-year subscription.
- Great for home workouts: Minimal equipment needed for full sessions.
Cons
- High shipping costs: Over $50 to the U.S. and Canada.
- Repetitive routines: Long-term users may find plans less varied.
- Lack of manual adjustability of exercise progressions.
Bottom Line
If you’re serious about ring training, this app is a top contender. Read our full Die Ringe review here.
Who Die Ringe Is Best For?
• Beginners who want to start learning gymnastic ring training the right way. Die Ringe is a strong option if you want more than random ring workouts and need a clear path to build strength and technique from the ground up.
• Athletes working toward ring skills like dips, muscle-ups, front levers, and back levers. The app does a good job of breaking difficult movements into step-by-step progressions, which makes advanced ring skills feel much more approachable.
• People who want structured progressions without having to figure everything out themselves. This is one of the main reasons Die Ringe stands out. Instead of guessing which exercise to do next, you get a more guided progression path that helps you build toward harder skills in a logical way.
• Users who want a training plan that adjusts as they improve. If you do not want to spend time constantly changing your workouts by hand, the app’s auto-adjusting system is a real plus. It changes the difficulty based on your feedback, so the training stays challenging without becoming overwhelming.
• People in Europe who want more value from the annual subscription. If you are based in Europe, the yearly plan includes a free pair of gymnastic rings, which makes the offer more appealing for anyone who wants to get started with ring training and still needs the equipment.
Which Is the Best Free Calisthenics App?
If you want the best free calisthenics app, I’d start with Calistree. It gives you a lot without asking you to pay right away, and that matters when you’re still figuring out whether you’ll actually use the app consistently. Calisteniapp also has a strong free library, but Calistree feels like the better pick if your main goal is to get started for free and still have enough features to make the app genuinely useful.
That said, “best free” depends on what you want. If you care most about a generous free experience, Calistree is the one I’d look at first. If you want a bigger push toward structured training and you might be open to upgrading later, Calisteniapp is still a very strong option.
Which Calisthenics App Is Best for Beginners?
For most beginners, I’d put Calisteniapp first. It does a good job of giving people structure, which is usually the hardest part when you’re new. You do not need more information in the beginning. You need a clear path, a manageable starting point, and enough momentum to stay consistent. That’s where Calisteniapp stands out the most for me.
If you are a beginner but you do not want to pay yet, Calistree is the free alternative I’d check next. And if you are already a bit more self-directed and want more control over how your training is built, Simple Calisthenics may suit you better.
Are These Calisthenics Apps Available on iPhone and Android?
Yes. At the time of writing, all four apps on this list are available on both iPhone and Android: Calisteniapp, Calistree, Simple Calisthenics, and Die Ringe. That means most readers can choose based on training style, features, and price rather than worrying about device compatibility.
If you mainly train on your phone, that is the easy part. The more important question is which app fits the way you like to train. Some are better for guided beginner progress, some are better for free use, and some make more sense if you care about skills or ring training.
Message to developers
We will be expanding this list over time so stay tuned for updates. If you are a developer and have built an app that meets the above requirements, don't hesitate to reach out to me at andy [at] calisthenics.com and we would be happy to test it.
