# Row Forge vs Swelldone

The clearest difference is monetization model: Row Forge at freemium against Swelldone's subscription. Row Forge also leads on review sentiment (69% vs 38%). Swelldone's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 3.9). On price, ratings volume, 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 Swelldone sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Swelldone holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 36 and 103 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of Row Forge's written reviews are positive against 38% of Swelldone's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Row Forge ships an update fortnightly, Swelldone every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Row Forge | Swelldone |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.9 (36 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/row-forge/id1449786284/reviews) | **[4.3 (103 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swelldone-virtual-row-plus-paddle/id1522371496/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 36 | **103** |
| Positive reviews | **69.0% of reviews** | 38.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Subscription |
| Size | 77 MB | 1.2 GB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Row Forge LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1449786283) | [5007490 Ontario Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1522371498) |

## 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 |


### Swelldone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swelldone-virtual-row-plus-paddle/id1522371496)

Experience an open-world paddling game with realistic wave physics and dynamic swells. Connect your erg for immersive training, race head-to-head in multiplayer, and explore iconic real-world venues. Choose from various paddlers, vessels, and workouts to enhance your fitness and enjoy virtual ocean adventures.

**Highlights:** Open-world ocean with realistic wave physics, Multiplayer virtual training and racing, Selectable paddlers, vessels, and real-world venues, Ergometer and trainer connectivity (FTMS), Customizable and pre-set workout library, Sync with Apple Health, Strava, C2 Logbook

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Game Controller support, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Wiki Member (Weekly) | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Ohana Membership | $9.99 | per month |
| Hoku Membership (Annual) | $99.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Row Forge free?

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

### Is Swelldone free?

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

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

Swelldone is rated higher. Row Forge averages 3.9 out of 5 from 36 ratings, while Swelldone averages 4.3 from 103 ratings.

### Do Row Forge or Swelldone have ads?

Neither Row Forge nor Swelldone shows ads.

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

Row Forge ships an update fortnightly, and Swelldone every 3 weeks. Most recently, Row Forge was updated on October 16, 2026 and Swelldone on October 22, 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.*