# Hydrow vs Start Rowing

Hydrow and Start Rowing both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 73% of Start Rowing's written reviews are positive against 59% of Hydrow's. Start Rowing also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.6). Hydrow's advantage is ratings volume (3.5K vs 682). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hydrow sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $29.99 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.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Hydrow against 4.7 for Start Rowing. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hydrow has 3.5K ratings behind it against 682, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 59% of Hydrow's written reviews are positive against 73% of Start Rowing's.

Hydrow ships an update every 3 weeks, Start Rowing every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Hydrow | Start Rowing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (3.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydrow/id1458653991/reviews)** | [4.7 (682 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-rowing-workouts-app/id1504306767/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.5K** | 682 |
| Positive reviews | 59.2% of reviews | **73.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 186 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hydrow, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1371506837) | [Vigour Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546613605) |

## What reviewers say

### Hydrow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hydrow/id1458653991)

Access over 5,000 on-and-off rower workouts led by elite athletes filmed in beautiful locations. Track performance, connect with a community, and share achievements. Compatible with Concept2 PM5 rowers for integrated metrics and leaderboards.

**Highlights:** 5,000+ on-and-off rower workouts, Elite athlete instructors, Global scenic filming locations, Performance tracking, Rowing community features, Strava and Apple Health integration, Concept2 PM5 rower compatibility

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Digital Basic | $29.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Smooth motion
- 🚀 Engaging video coaching
- 👍 Variety of workouts
- 👍 Motivating instructors
- 👍 Convenient for travel

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App issues (no iPad support, audio sync, etc.)
- 🔒 Lack of account management features
- 💰 Expensive subscription cost
- 💰 Requires expensive rower hardware

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes during workouts
- Difficulty logging in or syncing account
- Inconsistent video/audio quality

**Requested features**

- Ability to search/filter workouts
- More data analytics and tracking
- Integration with other fitness devices/apps
- Ability to manage account on app/website


### 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 Hydrow free?

Hydrow 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, Hydrow or Start Rowing?

Hydrow is rated higher. Hydrow averages 4.8 out of 5 from 3.5K ratings, while Start Rowing averages 4.7 from 682 ratings.

### Do Hydrow or Start Rowing have ads?

Neither Hydrow nor Start Rowing shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Hydrow or Start Rowing?

Hydrow ships an update every 3 weeks, and Start Rowing every 2 weeks. Most recently, Hydrow was updated on October 15, 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.*