Comparison

Float vs Start Rowing

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Float

Track your indoor rowing workouts with detailed stroke data. Connects to Concept2 machines via Bluetooth and syncs with the Health app. Offers advanced analytics and data export for performance analysis.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth connectivity for Concept2 PM5
  • Detailed stroke data (drive length, ratio, power)
  • Live and replay power curves
  • Syncs with Apple Health
  • Cloud storage for training data
  • Email raw data export
Features
Read full description

Record your indoor rowing sessions on the Concept2 rowing machine via bluetooth. RECORD EVERY SESSION YOU DO! - See every stroke live on your iPhone - Record every session and store on your iPhone - Review every session with more detail than the Concept2 screen provides ADDITIONAL DATA PER STROKE - Drive Length - Drive Ratio - Stroke Power - Ave. Force - Peak Force - Drive Time - Drive Speed - Drag Factor WORKS WITH - Concept2 PM5 Monitor via Bluetooth - Concept2 PM3/4 Monitor via ErgStick Dongle - Works with the Health app. Saves heart rate, calories and basic workout data. LOGGING IN The training data you create is stored in the cloud for analysis and recovery purposes. To ensure the training data you create is recoverable we ask that you create an account so that we can associate your training data to the right person. PRO FEATURES • Live power curves for every stroke you take • Replay power curves for every stroke you took • Email your raw data to yourself or your coach. PRO VERSION Float Pro is available for $3.99/month or $39.99/year. You can subscribe and pay through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Auto-renew may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after purchase. TERMS Terms and Conditions of Float can be found on our website at the following address - https://usefloat.com/terms

About

Start Rowing

This app provides structured rowing machine training plans for all experience levels, from beginner to advanced. It guides users through workouts with audio cues and a metronome, helping them build strength, burn calories, and improve rowing technique. Track progress and integrate with Apple Health for a comprehensive fitness journey.

Highlights
  • Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced training plans
  • Audio coach guidance
  • Rowing metronome
  • Workout logging and progress tracking
  • Apple Health integration
  • Session-based Challenger workouts
Features
Read full description

Start Rowing without any previous experience needed. Get in shape, build strength and burn calories. Our rowing app's workout plans will train you for the next stage in your rowing journey. Never rowed before? Start with our beginner plan. In 8 weeks you’ll be comfortable rowing 2000 meters with correct technique. Experienced erger? Use our intermediate and advanced plans to improve your overall fitness while increasing your rowing capacity. Start Rowing will guide you step by step, letting you know when to change rowing intensity and when to rest. Each plan is designed to slowly become more challenging so your body can adapt and gain endurance while minimising any risk of injury. Spend just 10-30 minutes a day, 2-5 days a week. You’ll be fitter, stronger and a much better rower! Features - Choose from Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced training plans. - Session based Challenger workouts to exercise your whole body. - Audio coach to guide your through your rowing workout. - Rowing metronome to help you keep in time. - Log your workouts and keep track of your overall progress. - Share your progress. - APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION: Connect your workouts to Health App to track your daily activity. Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it are for educational purposes only. They are not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program. If you upgrade to a premium Start Rowing subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. There is no increase in cost when renewing. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. Once purchased, the current period cannot be cancelled. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited if you choose to purchase a premium subscription. Find the full terms and conditions at https://www.vigour.fitness/terms, and our privacy policy at https://www.vigour.fitness/privacy.

Screenshots

Float4 screens
Start Rowing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Start Rowing at 73% against Float's 26%. Start Rowing also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.9) and ratings volume (682 vs 10). Float's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Float sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Start Rowing holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Rowing has 682 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 26% of Float's written reviews are positive against 73% of Start Rowing's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Float ships an update every 3 weeks, Start Rowing every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Float versus Start Rowing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFloatStart Rowing
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.9 (10 ratings)4.7 (682 ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.3% of reviews73.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10682 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEndurance Sports Research LtdVigour Group Ltd

Customer experience

Float

All ratings10 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive26.3%
Neutral10.5%
Negative63.2%

Start Rowing

All ratings682 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews97 reviews
Positive73.2%
Neutral9.3%
Negative17.5%

Bugs and requests

Float

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Start Rowing

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blank screen during workouts
  • Inconsistent stroke rate changes
  • Automatic screen shutoff during workouts

Requested features

5 requests
  • Allow custom workout creation
  • Improve volume control for metronome and audio
  • Add more advanced workout options
  • Enhance user interface and navigation
  • Improve sync and data tracking across devices

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Float

Subscriptions2
  • Float Pro$3.991 Month
  • Float Pro$39.991 Year
One-time2
  • Unlock Pro features (1 month)$3.99
  • Unlock Pro features (1 year)$39.99
7 purchases

Start Rowing

Subscriptions6
  • Start Rowing Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly2 variants$14.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Premium Yearly$79.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$179.99

Questions

Is Float free?
Float is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Float or Start Rowing?
Start Rowing is rated higher. Float averages 1.9 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Start Rowing averages 4.7 from 682 ratings.
Do Float or Start Rowing have ads?
Neither Float nor Start Rowing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Float or Start Rowing?
Float ships an update every 3 weeks, and Start Rowing every 2 weeks. Most recently, Float was updated on September 15, 2026 and Start Rowing on September 29, 2026.

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