Comparison

Start Rowing vs Fluid Connect

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

Head to head
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.

About

Fluid Connect

Record and review your rowing workouts with various styles like HIIT and distance challenges. Track session statistics, view charts, and monitor your total distance, time, and calories burned. The app also supports automatic firmware updates for compatible rowers.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth FTMS protocol communication
  • Multiple workout styles (Just Row, Target Distance, Target Time, HIIT)
  • Session statistics and charts
  • Sortable workout history
  • Odometer for total metrics
  • Automatic firmware updates
Read full description

Our Fluid Connect app allows you to record and review your workouts using our Bluetooth® Fluid Rower Consoles. Choose from a range of simple workout styles from just rowing to HIIT and review your session statistics and charts through the Session Log feature. • Communication via the standard Bluetooth® FTMS protocol • Rower session recorder that provides a number of workout styles o Just Row – no limit rowing at your own pace o Target Distance – aim for your fastest time over a fixed distance o Target Time – aim for greatest distance over a fixed time o Work/Rest Intervals – HIIT (Intense short work intervals followed by short rests) • Sortable workout session history with session summaries and charts • Odometer with total time, distance, and calories burned • Automatic firmware update support for Fluid Rower Consoles using Bluetooth DFU

Screenshots

Start Rowing4 screens
Fluid Connect3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Start Rowing at 73% against Fluid Connect's 7%. Start Rowing also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months). Fluid Connect's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8). On price, ads, 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. Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Fluid Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, Fluid Connect every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Start Rowing versus Fluid Connect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart RowingFluid Connect
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (682 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews73.2% of reviews — better7.1% of reviews
Number of ratings682 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVigour Group LtdFIRST DEGREE FITNESS LIMITED

Customer experience

Start Rowing

All ratings682 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews97 reviews
Positive73.2%
Neutral9.3%
Negative17.5%

Fluid Connect

Written reviews14 reviews
Positive7.1%
Neutral21.4%
Negative71.4%

Bugs and requests

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

Fluid Connect

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

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
None

Fluid Connect

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Fluid Connect free?
Fluid Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Start Rowing or Fluid Connect have ads?
Neither Start Rowing nor Fluid Connect shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or Fluid Connect?
Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, and Fluid Connect every 7 months. Most recently, Start Rowing was updated on September 26, 2026 and Fluid Connect on June 4, 2026.

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