SmartRow vs Start Rowing
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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!
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.
- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced training plans
- Audio coach guidance
- Rowing metronome
- Workout logging and progress tracking
- Apple Health integration
- Session-based Challenger workouts
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | SmartRow | Start Rowing |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (73 ratings) | 4.7 (682 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 46.0% of reviews | 73.2% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 73 | 682 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 55 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ergometer Innovations B.V. | Vigour Group Ltd |
Customer experience
SmartRow
Start Rowing
User reviews
SmartRow
From 73 App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
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- 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
SmartRow
No in-app purchases
Start Rowing
- Start Rowing Weekly$4.997 Days
- Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
- Premium Monthly2 variants$14.991 Month
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- Premium Yearly$79.991 Year
- Premium Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
- Yearly Premium7 Days trial$99.991 Year
- Lifetime Access$179.99






