Comparison

Erg Dude vs Arcade Rowing

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

Arcade Rowing

Engage in interactive rowing experiences by connecting to your rowing machine. Compete in real-time with rowers globally, play unique rowing games, and track your fitness progress. Explore virtual worlds or a social display of fellow rowers.

Highlights
  • Real-time global rowing social connection
  • Interactive rowing games
  • Progress tracking
  • Competitive leaderboards
  • Virtual world environments
  • Social display of rowers
Features
Read full description

Arcade Rowing connects to the PM5 on your rowing machine to row socially, play games and track your progress. See rowers from around the world in real time as you row. Compare your efforts to others. See how you rank and see other's workouts. Also, new rowing games unlike anything you've seen before. Shoot enemies by pulling hard and race against enemies! Choose a simple track or immersive virtual worlds! Also choose to simply see a display of everyone rowing along with their photo, location, age, distance and pace.... its a virtual rowing arcade on your device!

Screenshots

Erg Dude2 screens
Arcade Rowing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Arcade Rowing at 5.0 against Erg Dude's 4.0. Arcade Rowing also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2). Erg Dude's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (19 vs 1). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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. Arcade Rowing asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Arcade Rowing holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Erg Dude has 19 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Erg Dude ships an update every 6 weeks, Arcade Rowing every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Erg Dude versus Arcade Rowing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterErg DudeArcade Rowing
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (19 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings19 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB53 MB
Age rating9+9+
DeveloperPower Ten Development LLCCyborg Syndicate, LLC

Customer experience

Erg Dude

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

Arcade Rowing

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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
None

Arcade Rowing

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Erg Dude free?
Erg Dude is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Arcade Rowing free?
Arcade Rowing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Erg Dude or Arcade Rowing?
Arcade Rowing is rated higher. Erg Dude averages 4.0 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Arcade Rowing averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Erg Dude or Arcade Rowing have ads?
Arcade Rowing shows ads; Erg Dude does not.
Which is updated more often, Erg Dude or Arcade Rowing?
Erg Dude ships an update every 6 weeks, and Arcade Rowing every 3 weeks. Most recently, Erg Dude was updated on October 6, 2026 and Arcade Rowing on October 4, 2026.

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