arc vs boostcamp
the short answer.
boostcamp is a free library of proven programs from well-known coaches, and you choose which one to run. arc chooses for you, based on your goal, your gear, and how long you've been lifting. the difference matters most when you don't yet know how to choose.
feature comparison.
why arc.
boostcamp's catalog is genuinely good and genuinely free, which is rare. the catch is that picking the right program is itself the hard part when you're new: nsuns, gzclp, 5/3/1 and phul all sound equally reasonable when you've never run any of them. arc skips the choosing. it asks a few questions and hands you the program, then walks you through each set.
how boostcamp differs.
boostcamp hosts 130+ programs from established coaches plus thousands of community routines, free, with a pro tier from $11.99/mo for extra features. it's a library and a tracker rather than something that decides for you.
the bottom line.
if you already know which program you want to run, boostcamp is a great free way to run it. if the choosing is the part stopping you, that's what arc handles.