Comparison

ErgZone vs Start Rowing

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

Head to head
About

ErgZone

Optimize indoor training with real-time performance data, personalized pacing, and engaging challenges. Seamlessly integrates with various fitness machines, automating setup and providing critical metrics to enhance your workouts.

Highlights
  • Easy monitor setup
  • Live performance metrics
  • Smart interval pacing
  • Real-time workout alerts
  • Workout variety options
  • Performance history tracking
  • Community challenges
Features
Read full description

ErgZone is a cutting-edge fitness platform designed to optimize your indoor training sessions. By seamlessly integrating with your Concept2, RP3, Rogue, WaterRower, Assault Fitness or FTMS-enabled machines, ErgZone provides real-time performance data, personalized pacing, and engaging challenges to push your limits. Why Choose ErgZone? Designed to streamline your training, ErgZone minimizes setup time, automates monitor configurations, and calculates critical metrics so you can focus on performance, not prep. Key Features: • Easy Monitor Setup: No need to manually set intervals – simply connect to the ergometer, and the app handles the rest. Start moving right away. • Live Metrics: View real-time data during workouts, including time, distance, pace, strokes/minute (SPM), calories, watts, heart rate (HR) zones, and more. • Smart Interval Pacing: Suggested pace per interval based on personal benchmarks (1K, 2K, 5K for rowing and skiing; 2K, 4K, 10K for cycling). • Real-Time Alerts: Instant feedback if your pace, SPM, or split time drifts from the target. • Workout Variety: Options to train by time, distance, or calories with flexibility for mixed or weighted workouts. • Daily Workouts: Access the Concept2 Workout of the Day, plus discover workouts and training plans from top coaches. • Performance History: Save your favorite workouts, track heart rate progress, and monitor key metrics. • Compete & Connect: Join challenges, follow ErgFlix workouts, and interact with our partner coaches who release weekly free workouts. • Beyond Default Metrics: Track advanced metrics like stroke count, drag factor (DF), calories, watts, SPI, HR zones, and more. • Automatic Syncing: Results are automatically uploaded to the Concept2 LogBook. Unlock ErgZone+ for Premium Tools: • Enhanced Metrics & Graphs: View each interval's post-workout heart rate and power zones in a single graph. • Expanded Metrics: Access Drive Length, Max Power, Avg. Force, Force Curve, and more. The app remembers your last-used metrics for easy setup. • Time Cap & AMRAP: For added versatility, use automatic time-capped workouts and AMRAP (as many rounds as possible). • Flexible Targets: Set workout intensity using power metrics like FTP (Functional Threshold Power), SPI, or Watts percentage. • ReRow, ReSki, ReRide: Revisit previous sessions and strive to beat your pace or time. • Communities: Create and join communities, share workouts, and engage with friends. Enable leaderboards for a fun, competitive edge. • Apple Health Integration: Sync workouts and heart rate data directly to Apple Health. • Heart Rate Monitor: Connect your favorite Bluetooth HRM to track your heart rate in real-time during workouts. • Web Dashboard: Manage workouts, schedule training, and view live stats on a computer. • MultiErg Workouts: Create custom workouts incorporating two or all three Concept2 machines in a single workout. • Dynamic Interval Intensity: Set workout pace based on a previous interval. • Apple Watch Integration: Capture heart rate data from our Apple Watch app. • Organize Your Training: Create groups, libraries, and training plans to manage better and organize your workouts. • FIT Workouts: Track non-erg workouts such as weight training, HYROX, CrossFit, etc. Requirements: • Supported Machines: Concept2 RowErg, BikeErg, SkiErg with PM5, RP3 Rower, Rogue Echo Bike or Rower, WaterRower S4 (with ComModule or CR BLE), FTMS-enabled machines. • Device: iPhone or iPad Terms of Use: https://www.erg.zone/terms

About

Start Rowing

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
Read full description

Start Rowing without any previous experience needed. Get in shape, build strength and burn calories. Our rowing app's workout plans will train you for the next stage in your rowing journey. Never rowed before? Start with our beginner plan. In 8 weeks you’ll be comfortable rowing 2000 meters with correct technique. Experienced erger? Use our intermediate and advanced plans to improve your overall fitness while increasing your rowing capacity. Start Rowing will guide you step by step, letting you know when to change rowing intensity and when to rest. Each plan is designed to slowly become more challenging so your body can adapt and gain endurance while minimising any risk of injury. Spend just 10-30 minutes a day, 2-5 days a week. You’ll be fitter, stronger and a much better rower! Features - Choose from Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced training plans. - Session based Challenger workouts to exercise your whole body. - Audio coach to guide your through your rowing workout. - Rowing metronome to help you keep in time. - Log your workouts and keep track of your overall progress. - Share your progress. - APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION: Connect your workouts to Health App to track your daily activity. Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it are for educational purposes only. They are not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program. If you upgrade to a premium Start Rowing subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. There is no increase in cost when renewing. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. Once purchased, the current period cannot be cancelled. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited if you choose to purchase a premium subscription. Find the full terms and conditions at https://www.vigour.fitness/terms, and our privacy policy at https://www.vigour.fitness/privacy.

Screenshots

ErgZone4 screens
Start Rowing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Start Rowing at every 2 weeks against ErgZone's every 2 months. ErgZone's advantage is iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. ErgZone sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for ErgZone against 4.7 for Start Rowing. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 458 and 681 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of ErgZone's written reviews are positive against 73% of Start Rowing's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ErgZone ships an update every 2 months, Start Rowing every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ErgZone versus Start Rowing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterErgZoneStart Rowing
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (458 ratings) — better4.7 (681 ratings)
Positive reviews80.9% of reviews — better73.2% of reviews
Number of ratings458681 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.4 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperERGZONE LLCVigour Group Ltd

Customer experience

ErgZone

All ratings458 ratings
Positive95.4%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive80.9%
Neutral4.4%
Negative14.7%

Start Rowing

All ratings681 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews97 reviews
Positive73.2%
Neutral9.3%
Negative17.5%

User reviews

ErgZone

From 458 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy workout programming
  • 🚀 Seamless Concept2 integration
  • 💡 Comprehensive metrics and data
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • ❤️ Responsive developers

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🚫 No lifetime membership option
  • ⚠️ Poor UI for logbook/rankings
  • ❌ Incompatible with WaterRower
  • ❓ Confusing group membership for premium features

Start Rowing

From 681 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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)

Bugs and requests

ErgZone

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • Heart monitor sync issues with Samsung Galaxy watch
  • Workouts not appearing in logbook when connected to ErgData
  • Inaccurate total time in uploads
  • Rest distance not included in Strava upload
  • Group membership premium features unclear
Show 4 more
  • Workouts not shown chronologically
  • Occasional hesitation to connect to PM5
  • Cannot figure out how to connect to PM5
  • Workout completion and upload to logbook could be more intuitive

Requested features

7 requests
  • Sync with Samsung Galaxy watch
  • Add a beep function for interval changes
  • Confirmation pop-up for unsaved workout changes
  • Require unique names for workouts
  • Apple Health integration
Show 2 more
  • Native Apple Health synchronization
  • Sharing with Apple Health

Start Rowing

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blank screen during workouts
  • Inconsistent stroke rate changes
  • Automatic screen shutoff during workouts

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ErgZone

Subscriptions2
  • EZ+ Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • EZ+ Annual$49.991 Year
7 purchases

Start Rowing

Subscriptions6
  • Start Rowing Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly2 variants$14.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Premium Yearly$79.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$179.99

Questions

Is ErgZone free?
ErgZone 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, ErgZone or Start Rowing?
ErgZone is rated higher. ErgZone averages 4.8 out of 5 from 458 ratings, while Start Rowing averages 4.7 from 681 ratings.
Do ErgZone or Start Rowing have ads?
Neither ErgZone nor Start Rowing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ErgZone or Start Rowing?
ErgZone ships an update every 2 months, and Start Rowing every 2 weeks. Most recently, ErgZone was updated on September 18, 2026 and Start Rowing on September 11, 2026.

Other comparisons