Comparison

SmartRow vs ErgZone

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

Head to head
About

SmartRow

Transform your WaterRower into a high-precision ergometer. Track detailed workout metrics including force curves and heart rate, and monitor fitness indicators like Watts-per-Beat. Sync your progress seamlessly with Apple Health.

Highlights
  • Lab-grade ergometer conversion
  • Detailed force curve analysis
  • Heart rate graphing
  • Workout tracking and history
  • Fitness metrics (Watts-per-Beat, Watts-per-Kilogram)
  • Apple Health synchronization
Read full description

The SmartRow App (together with the SmartRow-conversion) will turn your WaterRower into a lab grade ergometer. It will not only show you power, distance, work-per-stroke, calories etc., it will show you each force-curve, heart rate graph and much, much more! It keeps track of your workouts, and even shows you well-known fitness metrics like 'Watts-per-Beat' and 'Watts-per-Kilogram'. It even syncs your workout data with Apple Health. This is the best training tool you can invest in—after hiring a coach, of course!

About

ErgZone

Optimize indoor training with real-time performance data, personalized pacing, and engaging challenges. Seamlessly integrates with various fitness machines, automating setup and providing critical metrics to enhance your workouts.

Highlights
  • Easy monitor setup
  • Live performance metrics
  • Smart interval pacing
  • Real-time workout alerts
  • Workout variety options
  • Performance history tracking
  • Community challenges
Features
Read full description

ErgZone is a cutting-edge fitness platform designed to optimize your indoor training sessions. By seamlessly integrating with your Concept2, RP3, Rogue, WaterRower, Assault Fitness or FTMS-enabled machines, ErgZone provides real-time performance data, personalized pacing, and engaging challenges to push your limits. Why Choose ErgZone? Designed to streamline your training, ErgZone minimizes setup time, automates monitor configurations, and calculates critical metrics so you can focus on performance, not prep. Key Features: • Easy Monitor Setup: No need to manually set intervals – simply connect to the ergometer, and the app handles the rest. Start moving right away. • Live Metrics: View real-time data during workouts, including time, distance, pace, strokes/minute (SPM), calories, watts, heart rate (HR) zones, and more. • Smart Interval Pacing: Suggested pace per interval based on personal benchmarks (1K, 2K, 5K for rowing and skiing; 2K, 4K, 10K for cycling). • Real-Time Alerts: Instant feedback if your pace, SPM, or split time drifts from the target. • Workout Variety: Options to train by time, distance, or calories with flexibility for mixed or weighted workouts. • Daily Workouts: Access the Concept2 Workout of the Day, plus discover workouts and training plans from top coaches. • Performance History: Save your favorite workouts, track heart rate progress, and monitor key metrics. • Compete & Connect: Join challenges, follow ErgFlix workouts, and interact with our partner coaches who release weekly free workouts. • Beyond Default Metrics: Track advanced metrics like stroke count, drag factor (DF), calories, watts, SPI, HR zones, and more. • Automatic Syncing: Results are automatically uploaded to the Concept2 LogBook. Unlock ErgZone+ for Premium Tools: • Enhanced Metrics & Graphs: View each interval's post-workout heart rate and power zones in a single graph. • Expanded Metrics: Access Drive Length, Max Power, Avg. Force, Force Curve, and more. The app remembers your last-used metrics for easy setup. • Time Cap & AMRAP: For added versatility, use automatic time-capped workouts and AMRAP (as many rounds as possible). • Flexible Targets: Set workout intensity using power metrics like FTP (Functional Threshold Power), SPI, or Watts percentage. • ReRow, ReSki, ReRide: Revisit previous sessions and strive to beat your pace or time. • Communities: Create and join communities, share workouts, and engage with friends. Enable leaderboards for a fun, competitive edge. • Apple Health Integration: Sync workouts and heart rate data directly to Apple Health. • Heart Rate Monitor: Connect your favorite Bluetooth HRM to track your heart rate in real-time during workouts. • Web Dashboard: Manage workouts, schedule training, and view live stats on a computer. • MultiErg Workouts: Create custom workouts incorporating two or all three Concept2 machines in a single workout. • Dynamic Interval Intensity: Set workout pace based on a previous interval. • Apple Watch Integration: Capture heart rate data from our Apple Watch app. • Organize Your Training: Create groups, libraries, and training plans to manage better and organize your workouts. • FIT Workouts: Track non-erg workouts such as weight training, HYROX, CrossFit, etc. Requirements: • Supported Machines: Concept2 RowErg, BikeErg, SkiErg with PM5, RP3 Rower, Rogue Echo Bike or Rower, WaterRower S4 (with ComModule or CR BLE), FTMS-enabled machines. • Device: iPhone or iPad Terms of Use: https://www.erg.zone/terms

Screenshots

SmartRow4 screens
ErgZone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ErgZone at 4.8 against SmartRow's 3.8. ErgZone also leads on review sentiment (82% vs 46%) and ratings volume (458 vs 73). SmartRow's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. ErgZone sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. SmartRow asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ErgZone holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ErgZone has 458 ratings behind it against 73, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of SmartRow's written reviews are positive against 82% of ErgZone's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SmartRow versus ErgZone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartRowErgZone
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (73 ratings)4.8 (458 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.0% of reviews81.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings73458 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.013.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErgometer Innovations B.V.ERGZONE LLC

Customer experience

SmartRow

All ratings73 ratings
Positive64.4%
Neutral15.1%
Negative20.5%
Written reviews200 reviews
Positive46.0%
Neutral28.0%
Negative26.0%

ErgZone

All ratings458 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews76 reviews
Positive81.6%
Neutral3.9%
Negative14.5%

User reviews

SmartRow

From 73 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate data and metrics
  • 🔍 Detailed performance tracking
  • 📊 Integration with Strava and Apple Health
  • 🔧 Customizable display and settings
  • 🤖 Seamless Bluetooth connectivity

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Unstable Apple Watch integration
  • 🔍 Limited data export options
  • 🕰️ Lack of pause/resume functionality
  • 🔢 Distance-based intervals not supported
  • 🔌 Occasional connectivity issues

ErgZone

From 458 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy workout programming
  • 🚀 Seamless Concept2 integration
  • 💡 Comprehensive metrics and data
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • ❤️ Responsive developers

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🚫 No lifetime membership option
  • ⚠️ Poor UI for logbook/rankings
  • ❌ Incompatible with WaterRower
  • ❓ Confusing group membership for premium features

Bugs and requests

SmartRow

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes during long rows
  • Workout data not saving properly
  • Connectivity issues with Bluetooth devices
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

Requested features

6 requests
  • Distance-based interval workouts
  • Audible cues and prompts during workouts
  • Ability to duplicate/sort custom workouts
  • Integration with Garmin devices
  • More advanced performance analytics
Show 1 more
  • Customizable heart rate zone settings

ErgZone

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Heart monitor sync issues with Samsung Galaxy watch
  • Workouts not appearing in logbook when connected to ErgData
  • Inaccurate total time in uploads
  • Rest distance not included in Strava upload
  • Group membership premium features unclear
Show 4 more
  • Workouts not shown chronologically
  • Occasional hesitation to connect to PM5
  • Cannot figure out how to connect to PM5
  • Workout completion and upload to logbook could be more intuitive

Requested features

7 requests
  • Sync with Samsung Galaxy watch
  • Add a beep function for interval changes
  • Confirmation pop-up for unsaved workout changes
  • Require unique names for workouts
  • Apple Health integration
Show 2 more
  • Native Apple Health synchronization
  • Sharing with Apple Health

In-app purchases

None

SmartRow

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ErgZone

Subscriptions2
  • EZ+ Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • EZ+ Annual$49.991 Year

Questions

Is SmartRow free?
SmartRow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ErgZone free?
ErgZone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SmartRow or ErgZone?
ErgZone is rated higher. SmartRow averages 3.8 out of 5 from 73 ratings, while ErgZone averages 4.8 from 458 ratings.
Do SmartRow or ErgZone have ads?
Neither SmartRow nor ErgZone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartRow or ErgZone?
SmartRow ships an update every 2 months, and ErgZone every 2 months. Most recently, SmartRow was updated on October 13, 2026 and ErgZone on October 15, 2026.

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