SmartRow vs Ergbase 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
Read full descriptionHide 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!
Ergbase Rowing
This app allows users to capture images of their rowing machine workouts. It then converts these images into searchable data, enabling users to track and improve their performance over time.
- Capture workout images
- Convert images to searchable data
- Track rowing performance
- Improve over time
- Concept2 machine compatible
Read full descriptionHide full description
Capture pictures of your Concept2 rowing machine workouts, and save them on Ergbase. Once uploaded, Ergbase converts your images into searchable data so you can track and improve on the rowing machine over time. *Please note we are not affiliated with Concept2 in any way.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: SmartRow at 46% against Ergbase Rowing's 0%. Ergbase Rowing's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SmartRow ships an update every 2 months, Ergbase Rowing every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on June 22, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SmartRow | Ergbase Rowing |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (73 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 46.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 73 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 25 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ergometer Innovations B.V. | Stuart Sim |
Customer experience
SmartRow
Ergbase Rowing
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 moreShow fewer
- Customizable heart rate zone settings
Ergbase Rowing
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SmartRow
No in-app purchases
Ergbase Rowing
No in-app purchases
