Comparison

Start Rowing vs XF 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

XF Connect

Access your workout history from connected fitness equipment on your device. Review detailed session summaries, track progress, and unlock achievements to stay motivated. Integrates with Apple Health for seamless data syncing.

Highlights
  • Sync workout history from connected equipment
  • Detailed workout session summaries
  • Track fitness progress
  • Unlock achievements
  • Integrates with Apple Health
Features
Read full description

The new XF Connect allows users to access workout records from the treadmill, exercise bike, or elliptical once an XF Connect account is linked to the XF Connect Fitness equipment. The key features of the XF Connect include: 1. Workout history on the go – sync and review workout history once the XF Connect account is linked to any XF Connect Fitness equipment 2. Access to the in-depth summary of each workout session 3. Keep track of the workout progress to stay motivated 4. Unlock achievements by reaching your personal fitness milestones 5. Integrates with Apple Health to sync workouts and record data Privacy Policy: https://dyaco-resources.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/Policy/XTERRA2_APP_PrivacyPolicy_EN.html Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Start Rowing4 screens
XF Connect4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Start Rowing at 73% against XF Connect's 14%. Start Rowing also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (682 vs 90). XF Connect's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). 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 XF Connect sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. 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 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Rowing has 682 ratings behind it against 90, 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 14% of XF Connect's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, XF Connect every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Start Rowing versus XF Connect: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart RowingXF Connect
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (682 ratings) — better4.2 (90 ratings)
Positive reviews73.2% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings682 — better90
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.2
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB122 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVigour Group LtdDyaco International Inc.

Customer experience

Start Rowing

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

XF Connect

All ratings90 ratings
Positive78.9%
Neutral6.7%
Negative14.4%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral14.3%
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

XF 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
2 purchases

XF Connect

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Yearly$99.001 Year

Questions

Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is XF Connect free?
XF Connect is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Start Rowing or XF Connect?
Start Rowing is rated higher. Start Rowing averages 4.7 out of 5 from 682 ratings, while XF Connect averages 4.2 from 90 ratings.
Do Start Rowing or XF Connect have ads?
Neither Start Rowing nor XF Connect shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or XF Connect?
Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, and XF Connect every 3 weeks. Most recently, Start Rowing was updated on October 19, 2026 and XF Connect on October 15, 2026.

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