# Row Forge vs Start Rowing

The clearest difference is rating: Start Rowing at 4.7 against Row Forge's 3.9. Start Rowing also leads on ratings volume (682 vs 36). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Row Forge sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Start Rowing holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Rowing has 682 ratings behind it against 36, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Row Forge's written reviews are positive against 73% of Start Rowing's.

Row Forge ships an update fortnightly, Start Rowing every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Row Forge | Start Rowing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/row-forge/id1449786284/reviews) | **[4.7 (682 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-rowing-workouts-app/id1504306767/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 36 | **682** |
| Positive reviews | 69.0% of reviews | **73.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 77 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Row Forge LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449786283) | [Vigour Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546613605) |

## 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 |


### Start Rowing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-rowing-workouts-app/id1504306767)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Start Rowing Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $179.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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)

**Reported bugs**

- Blank screen during workouts
- Inconsistent stroke rate changes
- Automatic screen shutoff during workouts

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Row Forge free?

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

### Is Start Rowing free?

Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Row Forge or Start Rowing?

Start Rowing is rated higher. Row Forge averages 3.9 out of 5 from 36 ratings, while Start Rowing averages 4.7 from 682 ratings.

### Do Row Forge or Start Rowing have ads?

Neither Row Forge nor Start Rowing shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Row Forge or Start Rowing?

Row Forge ships an update fortnightly, and Start Rowing every 2 weeks. Most recently, Row Forge was updated on October 12, 2026 and Start Rowing on October 10, 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.*