# ErgZone vs Start Rowing

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | ErgZone | Start Rowing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (458 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ergzone/id1474566270/reviews)** | [4.7 (681 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-rowing-workouts-app/id1504306767/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 458 | **681** |
| Positive reviews | **80.9% of reviews** | 73.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 33 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.4** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ERGZONE LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/455154242) | [Vigour Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546613605) |

## What reviewers say

### ErgZone

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ergzone/id1474566270)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EZ+ Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| EZ+ Annual | $49.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### 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 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.

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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.*