Comparison

ErgZone vs EXR | Virtual indoor 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

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

Transform your indoor rowing workouts with immersive virtual worlds and engaging challenges. Connect your rowing machine to explore scenic routes, race against others globally, and track your progress with detailed analytics. Gamified features and structured training plans help you achieve your fitness goals.

Highlights
  • Virtual rowing worlds and courses
  • Global races and challenges
  • Avatar customization and gear unlocks
  • Structured training plans and tests
  • Performance analytics and progress reports
  • Sync with Concept2, TrainingPeaks, Strava
  • FTMS Bluetooth rowing machine connectivity
Features
Read full description

Connect your rowing machine to row in virtual worlds. Boost your motivation as you beat challenges, crush goals and race to become #1. Row more than ever before with EXR! ___ Download the virtual indoor rowing app created by the award-winning game development studio Salty Lemon Entertainment. BOOST YOUR WORKOUT MOTIVATION - Explore real rowing hotspots and new courses - Beat daily, weekly and monthly challenges - Create and crush custom goals - Unlock achievements - Level up to unlock gear for your avatar SPICE UP YOUR ROWING ROUTINE - Row alongside friends at your own pace in Just Row - Race against rowers from all across the globe - Compete against your PR with ghost boats - Play minigames and become #1 TRAIN LIKE A CHAMP - Find out your FTP score with the ramp test and the 20-minute test - 100+ workouts based on your fitness level and 3 difficulty levels - Workouts created by the trainer of ex-indoor rowing champion Ward Lemmelijn ANALYZE & SHARE YOUR PROGRESS - Analyze your performance with detailed reports - Sync to Concept2 logbook, TrainingPeaks and Strava. - Visit your EXR web profile to download your workout data as FIT files for manual uploads. EASILY CONNECT YOUR GEAR - Connect your FTMS Bluetooth rowing machine in a few clicks. - Add your heart rate monitor for extra data (compatible with Apple Health). - Use EXR cross-platform on your favorite Apple devices. JOIN ONE OF THE BIGGEST VIRTUAL ROWING COMMUNITIES - “Never rowed as much in a period as I have with EXR.” - “I really like the Buoy Blast minigame! Real motivator for sprint rowing.” - “Works great and excellent motivator, customer service is great also.” - “I love all of the data the app collects and how easy it is to use.” - “EXR is the best app I have used and I think I have tried most of them. Absolutely love it.” GET STARTED IN 3 QUICK STEPS 1. Download the EXR app now on your iPhone, iPad, MacBook and Apple TV. 2. Enjoy a risk-free 14-day free trial by creating your free EXR account. 3. Connect your rowing machine and heart rate monitor and you’re ready to start your virtual rowing journey! A subscription is required after the 14 day trial period EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ErgZone4 screens
EXR | Virtual indoor rowing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ErgZone at 4.8 against EXR | Virtual indoor rowing's 4.5. ErgZone also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 65%) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 15.0). EXR | Virtual indoor rowing's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, 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. ErgZone sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and EXR | Virtual indoor rowing sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.95 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ErgZone holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 458 and 291 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 81% of ErgZone's written reviews are positive against 65% of EXR | Virtual indoor rowing's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ErgZone ships an update every 2 months, EXR | Virtual indoor rowing fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ErgZone versus EXR | Virtual indoor rowing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterErgZoneEXR | Virtual indoor rowing
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (458 ratings) — better4.5 (291 ratings)
Positive reviews80.9% of reviews — better65.4% of reviews
Number of ratings458 — better291
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS13.4 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB866 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperERGZONE LLCSalty Lemon Entertainment

Customer experience

ErgZone

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

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

All ratings291 ratings
Positive88.7%
Neutral2.7%
Negative8.6%
Written reviews211 reviews
Positive65.4%
Neutral8.5%
Negative26.1%

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

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

From 291 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Motivational and data-driven
  • 🚀 Immersive rowing experience
  • 🎮 Fun and engaging games
  • 💪 Helps achieve fitness goals
  • 🤝 Supportive community

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription is overpriced
  • 🐛 Connectivity issues and bugs
  • 🤖 Avatar movement not in sync
  • 📊 Lack of integration with Apple Health
  • 🎵 No option to use own music

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

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Account creation and login issues
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Inaccurate data sync with Concept2
  • Incompatibility with certain devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Live multiplayer races
  • More training programs and maps
  • Customizable workout editor
  • Age-based leaderboards
  • 360-degree live footage

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ErgZone

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

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

Subscriptions3
  • EXR (1 Month)$14.951 Month
  • EXR (6 Months)$71.906 Months
  • EXR (1 Year)$119.991 Year

Questions

Is ErgZone free?
ErgZone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is EXR | Virtual indoor rowing free?
EXR | Virtual indoor rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ErgZone or EXR | Virtual indoor rowing?
ErgZone is rated higher. ErgZone averages 4.8 out of 5 from 458 ratings, while EXR | Virtual indoor rowing averages 4.5 from 291 ratings.
Do ErgZone or EXR | Virtual indoor rowing have ads?
Neither ErgZone nor EXR | Virtual indoor rowing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ErgZone or EXR | Virtual indoor rowing?
ErgZone ships an update every 2 months, and EXR | Virtual indoor rowing fortnightly. Most recently, ErgZone was updated on September 18, 2026 and EXR | Virtual indoor rowing on September 22, 2026.

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