# Row Forge vs RowHero

The clearest difference is rating: RowHero at 4.6 against Row Forge's 3.9. RowHero also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and review sentiment (100% vs 68%). Row Forge's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Row Forge sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. RowHero asks for nothing beyond the download.

RowHero holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 35 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Row Forge's written reviews are positive against 100% of RowHero's.

Row Forge ships an update fortnightly, RowHero every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Row Forge | RowHero |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/row-forge/id1449786284/reviews) | **[4.6 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rowhero/id1475494233/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **35** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 67.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 75 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Row Forge LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449786283) | [RowHero, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475494232) |

## What reviewers say

### Row Forge

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/row-forge/id1449786284)

This app acts as a personal rowing trainer, offering personalized workouts and a scalable training program designed to improve your performance. It tracks your metrics and stats, providing targeted interval training and conditioning programs. Gamified elements like badges add a fun aspect to your fitness journey.

**Highlights:** Personalized signature workouts, Targeted High Intensity Interval Training, Effective conditioning program, Eleven baseline tests, Build a performance profile, Earn badges

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $8.99 | per month |
| Row Monthly Subscription | $29.99 | per month |
| Row Monthly with Two Week Trial | $29.99 | per month |
| Annual | $89.99 | per year |
| Regular Six-Month Membership | $143.99 | per 6 months |
| Six-Months with Two Week Trial | $143.99 | per 6 months |


### RowHero

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rowhero/id1475494233)

This app provides stroke-by-stroke rowing performance data for athletes and coaches, storing results indefinitely. It offers insights into technique and fitness to help users improve their rowing speed and performance.

**Highlights:** Stroke-by-stroke erg results, Wireless Concept2 PM5 connection, Permanent workout storage, Stroke length and potential split metrics, Personalized improvement insights, Team performance comparison

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Row Forge free?

Row Forge is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is RowHero free?

RowHero is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Row Forge or RowHero?

RowHero is rated higher. Row Forge averages 3.9 out of 5 from 35 ratings, while RowHero averages 4.6 from 19 ratings.

### Do Row Forge or RowHero have ads?

RowHero shows ads; Row Forge does not.

### Which is updated more often, Row Forge or RowHero?

Row Forge ships an update fortnightly, and RowHero every 3 weeks. Most recently, Row Forge was updated on September 25, 2026 and RowHero on June 1, 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.*