Comparison

Start Rowing vs Swelldone

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

Swelldone

Experience an open-world paddling game with realistic wave physics and dynamic swells. Connect your erg for immersive training, race head-to-head in multiplayer, and explore iconic real-world venues. Choose from various paddlers, vessels, and workouts to enhance your fitness and enjoy virtual ocean adventures.

Highlights
  • Open-world ocean with realistic wave physics
  • Multiplayer virtual training and racing
  • Selectable paddlers, vessels, and real-world venues
  • Ergometer and trainer connectivity (FTMS)
  • Customizable and pre-set workout library
  • Sync with Apple Health, Strava, C2 Logbook
Features
Read full description

Swelldone is an open-world paddling training game. The concept is simple: choose your paddler, pick your vessel, and go find some virtual waves and have fun. Learn and experience surfing the open ocean. If you have an erg, connect to it and get fully immersed in your training! If you paddle, you get it. FEATURES: - Infinite ocean with accurate waves physics model, dynamic and adjustable swells - Multiplayer head-to-head gameplay for virtual training and racing - Choose your course from iconic, real-world venues - Choose your paddler from various avatars - Choose your vessel from various boats including SUPs, outrigger canoes, surfskis, Sprint C1, Sprint K1, rowing sculls, marathon canoes, and dragon boats - Connect to your paddle ergs, rowers, bike trainers that support FTMS protocol for immersive training. - Choose from a library of workouts directly from the app or create your own custom workout - Sync your workouts to Apple Health, Strava, C2 Logbook - Designed to work with the Concept2 PM5 console, KayakPro GenesisPort console, Whipr, and Wahoo sensors. OHANA MEMBERSHIP Subscription Enjoy unlimited access to everything when connected to erg for Virtual Training. Row or Paddle as much as you want with Swelldone's monthly subscription of $9.99. Prices may vary from country to country. Payment will be charged to your App Store Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Account settings at any time after purchase. Terms of Service: https://www.swelldoneapp.com/terms-of-service Privacy Policy: https://www.swelldoneapp.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Start Rowing4 screens
Swelldone4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Start Rowing at free with in-app purchases against Swelldone's subscription. Start Rowing also leads on review sentiment (73% vs 38%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On price, update cadence, 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. Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Swelldone sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Start Rowing holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Rowing has 681 ratings behind it against 103, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Start Rowing's written reviews are positive against 38% of Swelldone's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, Swelldone every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Start Rowing versus Swelldone: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart RowingSwelldone
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (681 ratings) — better4.3 (103 ratings)
Positive reviews73.2% of reviews — better38.1% of reviews
Number of ratings681 — better103
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB1.2 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVigour Group Ltd5007490 Ontario Ltd.

Customer experience

Start Rowing

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

Swelldone

All ratings101 ratings
Positive81.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive38.1%
Neutral4.8%
Negative57.1%

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

Swelldone

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
3 purchases

Swelldone

Subscriptions3
  • Wiki Member (Weekly)$3.997 Days
  • Ohana Membership$9.991 Month
  • Hoku Membership (Annual)$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Swelldone free?
Swelldone is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Start Rowing or Swelldone?
Start Rowing is rated higher. Start Rowing averages 4.7 out of 5 from 681 ratings, while Swelldone averages 4.3 from 103 ratings.
Do Start Rowing or Swelldone have ads?
Neither Start Rowing nor Swelldone shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or Swelldone?
Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, and Swelldone every 3 weeks. Most recently, Start Rowing was updated on October 23, 2026 and Swelldone on October 22, 2026.

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