RowHero vs Row Downstream
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
RowHero
This app provides stroke-by-stroke rowing performance data for athletes and coaches, storing results indefinitely. It offers insights into technique and fitness to help users improve their rowing speed and performance.
- Stroke-by-stroke erg results
- Wireless Concept2 PM5 connection
- Permanent workout storage
- Stroke length and potential split metrics
- Personalized improvement insights
- Team performance comparison
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Coaches: get 100% accurate, stroke-by-stroke erg results for your team, stored forever Here's how it works: • Before a workout, every athlete quickly connects RowHero to their Concept2 PM5. It's all wireless. • Every piece/interval result then gets sent directly to your app at the end of every piece. • You get access to everything you're used to, plus stroke-by-stroke breakdown of every piece, and new metrics like stroke length and potential split. And because workouts are saved forever, so you get to see your team's progress over time without trying to put together the right set of spreadsheets every single time. Rank results by raw speed or performance improvement to provide opportunities for everyone to shine. Athletes, find personalized ways to get faster As a former youth coach, my goal is to help you be the best competitive rower you can be. Here's what RowHero can do for you: • Never have to wonder about your 2K or 6K PR again. It's all right in the app for you. • Getting faster is all about understanding where you have the biggest area to grow: technique, fitness, and mindset. RowHero can help you identify where to focus based on its stroke length and potential speed metrics. • When you row with a team you can automatically you see how you stack up against others, so you can use your teammates as motivation to keep pushing for more. Stats are only part of the equation, but if you're driven to improve, you can build your confidence tremendously with what RowHero shares with you. Are you in? Questions, feedback, suggestions? Check out our website https://rowhero.com or contact us at support@rowhero.com. We are very open to helping you create the rowing data solution you need!
Row Downstream
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Downstream turns your Concept2 erg into a coached training system. Pick from a catalog of hundreds of workouts or build your own and save them to your library — filter by training zone or duration. Drop them onto your calendar and each day's session is waiting for you, ready to row. While you pull, Downstream drives the workout: live pace and stroke-rate targets, split-by-split feedback, intervals and rest, and a customizable live screen. Every workout is captured — splits, strokes, and heart rate — and lands in your log automatically. • Works with any Concept2 erg (RowErg, BikeErg, SkiErg) over Bluetooth • Verified sync to your official Concept2 Logbook • Heart rate from a chest strap or your Apple Watch — free • Import your on-water rows, bike, and run activities from Strava • Start a Spotify playlist automatically when you begin a piece • Share-ready workout summary cards No ads.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: Row Downstream at none against RowHero's shown. Row Downstream also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks) and device support (4 vs 2). RowHero's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
RowHero ships an update every 3 weeks, Row Downstream every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | RowHero | Row Downstream |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (19 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 19 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 38 MB | 28 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | RowHero, LLC | Row Downstream LLC |
In-app purchases
RowHero
No in-app purchases
Row Downstream
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is RowHero free?
Is Row Downstream free?
Do RowHero or Row Downstream have ads?
Which is updated more often, RowHero or Row Downstream?
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