# Start Rowing vs Rowing Machine Workouts

The clearest difference is ads: Start Rowing at none against Rowing Machine Workouts's shown. Rowing Machine Workouts's advantage is review sentiment (88% vs 73%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, rating, ratings volume and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Rowing Machine Workouts sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Start Rowing against 4.7 for Rowing Machine Workouts. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 681 and 338 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Start Rowing's written reviews are positive against 88% of Rowing Machine Workouts's.

Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, Rowing Machine Workouts every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Start Rowing | Rowing Machine Workouts |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (681 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-rowing-workouts-app/id1504306767/reviews) | [4.7 (338 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rowing-machine-workouts/id1552557008/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **681** | 338 |
| Positive reviews | 73.2% of reviews | **87.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 49 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vigour Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546613605) | [Vigour Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546613605) |

## What reviewers say

### Start Rowing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-rowing-workouts-app/id1504306767)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Start Rowing Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $179.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Helpful for beginners
- 🚀 Structured workout plans
- 👍 Easy to follow
- 👍 Enjoyable and motivating
- 🚀 Useful metronome and pacing features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues (blank screen, spinning circle)
- 🔋 High battery drain
- 💰 Misleading about free access, requires subscription
- 👎 Limited customization and flexibility
- 👎 Inconsistent performance (stroke rate changes, screen shutoff)

**Reported bugs**

- Blank screen during workouts
- Inconsistent stroke rate changes
- Automatic screen shutoff during workouts

**Requested features**

- 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


### Rowing Machine Workouts

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rowing-machine-workouts/id1552557008)

Guided indoor rowing workouts for fat loss, cardio, and strength. Offers plans for all fitness levels, from beginner to weight loss, with features like audio coaching and activity tracking. Works with any rower.

**Highlights:** Guided rowing plans for various goals, SPM metronome for pace control, Audio coaching with music support, Activity tracking and workout logging, Customizable workout builder, Free Row mode, Apple Health integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rowing Workouts Weekly | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium | $79.99 | per year |
| Rowing Workouts Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Rowing Workouts Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Rowing Workouts Yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $249.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective graphics and workout
- 👍 Straight forward and easy to use
- 👍 Metronome helps with pacing
- 👍 Variety of workouts and programs
- 👍 Warm-up and cool-down exercises

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Subscription issues and lost access
- ⚠️ Lacks ability to sync with rowing machines
- ⚠️ Interrupts stroke when changing pace
- ⚠️ Limited data tracking and analytics

**Reported bugs**

- Free trial not functioning properly
- Connectivity issues with some rowing machines

**Requested features**

- Ability to create custom workouts
- Integration with Apple Watch
- More detailed workout data and progress tracking


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Start Rowing free?

Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Rowing Machine Workouts free?

Rowing Machine Workouts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Start Rowing or Rowing Machine Workouts?

Start Rowing and Rowing Machine Workouts are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 681 and 338 ratings respectively.

### Do Start Rowing or Rowing Machine Workouts have ads?

Rowing Machine Workouts shows ads; Start Rowing does not.

### Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or Rowing Machine Workouts?

Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, and Rowing Machine Workouts every 5 days. Most recently, Start Rowing was updated on September 11, 2026 and Rowing Machine Workouts on September 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*