# Treadmill Smart Speed vs TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling at none against Treadmill Smart Speed's 1. TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling also leads on rating (3.8 vs 3.4) and ratings volume (126 vs 25). Treadmill Smart Speed's advantage is review sentiment (53% vs 35%) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Treadmill Smart Speed sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling asks for nothing beyond the download.

TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling has 126 ratings behind it against 25, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of Treadmill Smart Speed's written reviews are positive against 35% of TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Treadmill Smart Speed ships an update weekly, TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Treadmill Smart Speed | TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/treadmill-smart-speed/id1193076459/reviews) | **[3.8 (126 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trainingpeaks-virtual-cycling/id6480213250/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 25 | **126** |
| Positive reviews | **53.4% of reviews** | 35.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 65 MB | 924 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [AppyAppster Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1746049419) | [indieVelo Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1738486404) |

## What reviewers say

### Treadmill Smart Speed

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/treadmill-smart-speed/id1193076459)

This app transforms your iPhone into a Bluetooth speed and incline sensor for treadmills. It broadcasts your running speed and incline, allowing fitness apps like Zwift to track your performance without additional hardware. An Apple Watch app can also stream heart rate and cadence data.

**Highlights:** Broadcasts speed and incline as Bluetooth sensor, Works with Zwift and other fitness apps, Apple Watch integration for heart rate and cadence, Customizable speed presets, Metric/Imperial unit selection, Background broadcasting, Standalone 'Just Run' mode with 3D park simulation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock forever | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Works with Zwift
- 💰 Affordable alternative
- 🏃‍♀️ Enables Zwift running
- ✅ Solves treadmill speed issues
- 💡 Good for budget-conscious users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connection issues
- 🐛 Speed not detected
- 🐛 Laggy updates
- 🐛 Accelerometer mode unreliable
- 🐛 Disclaimer pops up frequently

**Reported bugs**

- Problems reported with Zwift connectivity
- Doesn't show up on Bluetooth in Zwift
- Slow response time from armband mode
- Speed not detected in Zwift
- Intermittent information transmission

**Requested features**

- Improve response time for armband mode
- Allow app to work in background
- Develop for Zwift bike with Power (Watt)
- Make app available in more countries
- Provide instructions for Apple TV connection


### TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trainingpeaks-virtual-cycling/id6480213250)

This platform transforms indoor cycling with realistic physics, group rides, and competitive races. Organize rides with friends or join esports events, all while following structured training plans. Customize your avatar and gear for a personalized experience.

**Highlights:** Realistic physics with drafting and cornering, Organize group rides with friends, Participate in esports cycling events, Follow structured training plans, Centralized workout hub, Avatar and team kit customization

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent option
- 🚀 Legit competition for Zwift
- 🚀 Realistic and additional pedaling metrics
- 👍 Perfect for Training Peaks subscribers
- 👍 Automatically loads sessions

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues with devices
- 🐛 Crashes and stability problems
- 🐛 Clunky and unintuitive UI
- 🐛 ERG mode issues
- 🐛 Inconsistent power readings

**Reported bugs**

- Workouts showing as free ride
- Take a Break functionality not working as expected
- Inability to navigate on Apple TV
- Disconnects and crashes on various devices

**Requested features**

- Strava integration
- Companion app for phone
- Better ERG mode
- Ability to cancel workouts
- Option to view just numbers without virtual cycling


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Treadmill Smart Speed free?

Treadmill Smart Speed is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling free?

TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Treadmill Smart Speed or TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling?

TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling is rated higher. Treadmill Smart Speed averages 3.4 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling averages 3.8 from 126 ratings.

### Do Treadmill Smart Speed or TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling have ads?

Neither Treadmill Smart Speed nor TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Treadmill Smart Speed or TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling?

Treadmill Smart Speed ships an update weekly, and TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling monthly. Most recently, Treadmill Smart Speed was updated on November 11, 2026 and TrainingPeaks Virtual Cycling on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*