Six honest options if you want a personal coach, a live session, more class variety, or a different price than Ladder.
Full disclosure: HipTrain wrote this list, and we're the first option on it. So we have a stake in what you choose. Every fact about other companies comes from what they publish, and the sources are at the end.
Ladder is a popular strength app. Its message is "Stronger, not smaller," and it has a 4.95 rating from 203,880 ratings on the US App Store. You join a team and follow a weekly plan with a coach's audio in your ear, on your own time. Ladder costs $29.99 a month, or $179.99 a year. It isn't 1-on-1. People look elsewhere for a few reasons: they want a coach who watches them live, they want a personal plan instead of a team plan, they want more class variety, or they want to pay with HSA or FSA dollars. If Ladder keeps you training, you may not need to switch. We cover that below too.
HipTrain is live, 1-on-1 personal training over video. Instead of an audio coach and a team plan, you get a real coach on camera with you, watching your form and changing the workout to fit your body that day. It's the same coach every session, and you can switch anytime. Thirty-minute sessions cost $59.49/mo for one a week, $119.99/mo for two, or $179.99/mo for three, about $14 a session. Sixty-minute sessions cost $109.99/mo, $219.99/mo or $319.99/mo, about $25 a session. Your first session is free, no credit card needed. HipTrain is HSA / FSA eligible, so check your plan.
"Felipe pushes me beyond what I'd do on my own, but is still considerate of my age (70's) and limitations." (Carole N., Google review)
Where we're not the right fit: we cost more than Ladder, and we have far fewer reviews (29 App Store ratings against Ladder's 203,880). You need to show up at a set time on camera. Our coach roster is small, and we don't offer nutrition coaching, a big on-demand library, or in-person sessions. See the full breakdown in HipTrain vs Ladder.
Best for: people who want a coach training them live, not just a voice in their ear.
Caliber's tagline is "It's not you. It's the science." It has a free app, a Pro plan at $19/mo with group coaching, and a Premium 1-on-1 plan. Premium is coaching through the app with video check-ins, at about $200/mo, sold through a consultation call. Trial terms and HSA/FSA details: Not published. Caliber has a 4.84 rating from 5,985 iOS ratings. More in HipTrain vs Caliber.
Best for: strength-focused people who want to start free and pay for more coaching only if they need it.
Future calls itself "Personal training, reimagined." A coach builds your workouts, you do them in the app on your own time, and you text with your coach. Future does not advertise live video sessions. It costs $199/mo, with a $50 first month, or $149/mo if you prepay for 12 months. It offers a 30-day full refund and accepts HSA and FSA through Truemed. It has a 4.87 rating from 10,714 iOS ratings. More in HipTrain vs Future.
Best for: Ladder users who want a plan built just for them, still on their own schedule.
Trainwell (formerly CoPilot) says it offers "Personal Training You'll Actually Stick With." Coaching happens mostly through the app, plus calls. It lists $149/mo billed quarterly, and Garage Gym Reviews lists $99. Trainwell offers a 14-day free trial that starts with a 40-minute call, and says plans "may be eligible" for HSA/FSA. It has a 4.90 rating from 5,532 iOS ratings.
Best for: people who want a personal app coach and a long free trial before paying.
obé is a streaming library with more than 16,000 on-demand classes, from HIIT and dance cardio to Pilates, barre, strength, yoga and stretching. Its FAQ says "We no longer stream live classes." It costs $24.99/mo or $169.99/yr, close to Ladder's prices, with 7 days free. obé works with Truemed for HSA/FSA, which requires a Letter of Medical Necessity. More in HipTrain vs obé.
Best for: people who want more variety than a single strength plan, at a similar price.
BODi, from Beachbody, lists more than 225 on-demand programs, including P90X and 21 Day Fix, plus meal plans with over 1,000 recipes. It costs $19/mo or $179/yr, and was offering the first year for $119 when we checked. There's a 7-day free trial. It does not advertise 1-on-1 coaching, and HSA/FSA terms are Not published.
Best for: self-starters who want a big library and meal plans for the lowest price.
Ladder works well for a lot of people. Stay with it if:
No. Ladder is team programs with a coach's audio, not 1-on-1. For 1-on-1 coaching through an app, look at Future, Trainwell or Caliber Premium. For live 1-on-1 video, HipTrain trains you on camera every session.
BODi at $19/mo and obé at $24.99/mo cost a little less than Ladder's monthly plan. Caliber has a free app. None of them give you a live personal coach.
HipTrain is HSA / FSA eligible. Future and obé work with Truemed. Trainwell says plans "may be eligible." Ladder does not list HSA or FSA. Check your own plan before you buy.
HipTrain's first session is free with no credit card. Trainwell has 14 days free, obé and BODi have 7 days free, and Future offers a 30-day full refund.
Want to see if live coaching fits you? Try your first HipTrain session free. No credit card needed.
We checked pricing and features for every service here in October 2026. They change often, so double-check before you sign up.