Comparison

Erg Dude vs Swelldone

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Erg Dude

This app offers a fun rowing game that can be played with or without a compatible rowing machine. Score points by collecting coins and power-ups while avoiding obstacles. Adjust game difficulty and length through in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • Play with or without a rowing machine
  • Collect coins for points
  • Use power-ups like lightning bolts and grenades
  • Adjustable game difficulty
  • In-app purchases for extended game time
  • Customizable game backgrounds
Features
Read full description

Erg Dude is a fun app that allows a user to play the game with or without a Concept2 rowing machine equipped with a PM5 monitor. This game works best with Concept2 Rowing Machines equipped with PM5 monitors with wireless capability switched on. To enable wireless, first press the 'More Options' Button > then click the button for 'Turn Wireless On'. Press the button in the main menu to connect to the PM5. On the next screen press the button at the top to scan for available devices. When you find the identification number of the monitor, press that identifier and you should be connected to your machine. The goal of the game is to score as many points as possible in the time allowed. Start rowing and the game will begin. At the end of each stroke pulled, Erg Dude will jump. If Erg Dude collects a coin you will score 5 points. If Erg Dude hits a bomb you will lose 1 point. You can earn a power-up by collecting the lightning bolts which will double your score for a short period of time. Pick up the smart grenade and all of the bombs on the screen will be destroyed clearing the way to collect more coins. Pick up the laser gun and you will fire a shot that will potentially clear any bombs in the way allowing for more collection of coins. Game difficulty can be controlled in the settings screen. The player needs to pull harder in order to make Erg Dude jump when the game difficulty is increased. You can also play the game without using the Concept2 rower if you choose. The free version of the app allows for game times of 1 or 2 minutes. The In-App game length purchase allows for games between 1 to 8 minutes in length. Another In-App purchase allows game time to extend to up to 20 minutes. Both in-app purchases allow for a selection of different game backgrounds. Choose your favorite!

About

Swelldone

Immerse yourself in an open-world paddling training game. Experience virtual surfing and ocean waves, or connect your erg for enhanced workouts. Choose your paddler, vessel, and explore iconic real-world venues.

Highlights
  • Infinite ocean with accurate wave physics
  • Multiplayer head-to-head gameplay
  • Iconic real-world venue courses
  • Variety of paddler avatars and vessels
  • Erg, rower, and bike trainer connectivity (FTMS)
  • Customizable workout library
  • Syncs with Apple Health, Strava, C2 Logbook
Features
Read full description

Swelldone is an open-world paddling training game. The concept is simple: choose your paddler, pick your vessel, and go find some virtual waves and have fun. Learn and experience surfing the open ocean. If you have an erg, connect to it and get fully immersed in your training! If you paddle, you get it. FEATURES: - Infinite ocean with accurate waves physics model, dynamic and adjustable swells - Multiplayer head-to-head gameplay for virtual training and racing - Choose your course from iconic, real-world venues - Choose your paddler from various avatars - Choose your vessel from various boats including SUPs, outrigger canoes, surfskis, Sprint C1, Sprint K1, rowing sculls, marathon canoes, and dragon boats - Connect to your paddle ergs, rowers, bike trainers that support FTMS protocol for immersive training. - Choose from a library of workouts directly from the app or create your own custom workout - Sync your workouts to Apple Health, Strava, C2 Logbook - Designed to work with the Concept2 PM5 console, KayakPro GenesisPort console, Whipr, and Wahoo sensors. OHANA MEMBERSHIP Subscription Enjoy unlimited access to everything when connected to erg for Virtual Training. Row or Paddle as much as you want with Swelldone's monthly subscription of $9.99. Prices may vary from country to country. Payment will be charged to your App Store Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Account settings at any time after purchase. Terms of Service: https://www.swelldoneapp.com/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://www.swelldoneapp.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Erg Dude2 screens
Swelldone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Swelldone at 4.3 against Erg Dude's 4.0. Swelldone also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (103 vs 20). Erg Dude's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Erg Dude sells 2 one-off in-app purchases 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Swelldone holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Swelldone has 103 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Erg Dude's written reviews are positive against 38% of Swelldone's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Erg Dude ships an update every 6 weeks, Swelldone every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Erg Dude versus Swelldone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterErg DudeSwelldone
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (20 ratings)4.3 (103 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews38.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings20103 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB1.2 GB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperPower Ten Development LLCSwell City

Customer experience

Erg Dude

All ratings19 ratings
Positive73.7%
Neutral5.3%
Negative21.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Swelldone

All ratings103 ratings
Positive81.6%
Neutral2.9%
Negative15.5%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive38.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative57.1%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Erg Dude

One-time2
  • Extend Game Time (3 to 8 min)$0.99
  • Extend Game To 3-20 Minutes$1.99
3 purchases

Swelldone

Subscriptions3
  • Wiki Member (Weekly)$3.997 Days
  • Ohana Membership$9.991 Month
  • Hoku Membership (Annual)$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Erg Dude free?
Erg Dude 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, Erg Dude or Swelldone?
Swelldone is rated higher. Erg Dude averages 4.0 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Swelldone averages 4.3 from 103 ratings.
Do Erg Dude or Swelldone have ads?
Neither Erg Dude nor Swelldone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Erg Dude or Swelldone?
Erg Dude ships an update every 6 weeks, and Swelldone every 3 weeks. Most recently, Erg Dude was updated on November 3, 2026 and Swelldone on November 7, 2026.

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