Comparison

SmartRow 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

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

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

SmartRow4 screens
Start Rowing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Start Rowing at 4.7 against SmartRow's 3.8. Start Rowing also leads on review sentiment (73% vs 46%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). SmartRow's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. SmartRow asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Start Rowing holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Rowing has 682 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 73% of Start Rowing's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartRow ships an update every 2 months, Start Rowing every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
SmartRow versus Start Rowing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartRowStart Rowing
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (73 ratings)4.7 (682 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.0% of reviews73.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings73682 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperErgometer Innovations B.V.Vigour Group Ltd

Customer experience

SmartRow

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

Start Rowing

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

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

Start Rowing

From 682 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Helpful for beginners
  • 🚀 Structured workout plans
  • 👍 Easy to follow
  • 👍 Enjoyable and motivating
  • 🚀 Useful metronome and pacing features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues (blank screen, spinning circle)
  • 🔋 High battery drain
  • 💰 Misleading about free access, requires subscription
  • 👎 Limited customization and flexibility
  • 👎 Inconsistent performance (stroke rate changes, screen shutoff)

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

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

None

SmartRow

No in-app purchases

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 SmartRow free?
SmartRow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SmartRow or Start Rowing?
Start Rowing is rated higher. SmartRow averages 3.8 out of 5 from 73 ratings, while Start Rowing averages 4.7 from 682 ratings.
Do SmartRow or Start Rowing have ads?
Neither SmartRow nor Start Rowing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartRow or Start Rowing?
SmartRow ships an update every 2 months, and Start Rowing every 2 weeks. Most recently, SmartRow was updated on October 5, 2026 and Start Rowing on October 10, 2026.

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