Comparison

Start Rowing vs Aviron

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 offers structured rowing workout plans for all experience levels, helping users build strength, burn calories, and improve rowing technique. It provides guidance on intensity and rest, with features like an audio coach and metronome for effective training sessions.

Highlights
  • Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced training plans
  • Session-based Challenger workouts
  • Audio coach guidance
  • Rowing metronome
  • Workout logging and progress tracking
  • Apple Health integration
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

Aviron

Transform your rowing workouts into an engaging and addictive experience. This app uses fitness and game psychology to offer a variety of scenic rows, live competitions, and games. Track your progress, compete on leaderboards, and stay motivated with fresh challenges.

Highlights
  • Scenic rowing
  • Live competition
  • Gamified workouts
  • Community leaderboards
  • Monthly challenges
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Strava integration
Features
Read full description

Elevate your workouts with the award-winning Aviron rowing experience. The Aviron app, compatible with Concept2 PM5 Monitors, WaterRower S4 Monitors with ComModule, and the StrongGo is designed using fitness and game psychology to make your rowing sessions fun and even, addictive. Experience unmatched workout variety on the: Concept2 - Scenic rowing - Live competition - Games (Multiplayer mode coming soon) - Coached programs (coming soon) - Integration with C2 Logbook and Strava - And more! WaterRower - Scenic rowing - Live competition - Games (Multiplayer mode coming soon) - Coached programs (coming soon) - And more! StrongGo - Scenic rowing - Live competition - Games (Resistance-based for cardio and strength workouts) - Guided workouts - Coached programs - Integration with Strava - And more! Now supporting Apple Watch: - Track your heart rate seamlessly during workouts. - Sync your workout data with Apple Fitness. - Stay motivated by closing your rings with every session. Reignite your competitive side with monthly challenges, community leaderboards and head to head races. Fresh workouts, exciting challenges and frequent updates will have you looking forward to your next row like never before. GET STARTED IN 3 EASY STEPS 1. Download the Aviron app on your iPad. 2. Choose your rower and create your account. 3. Connect to your rower and get ready to level up your workouts! Optimized for and best experienced on your iPad. We are currently adapting the app software from our flagship Strong Series Rower for the iPad. We appreciate your patience and invite you to revisit us often, as the complete transfer of features and content is expected to take a few months. Terms of Use https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Start Rowing4 screens
Aviron4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Start Rowing at 4.7 against Aviron's 4.5. Start Rowing also leads on ratings volume (682 vs 150). Aviron's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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 Aviron sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $19.95 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 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 682 and 150 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 73% and 73% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start Rowing ships an update every 3 weeks, Aviron monthly. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Start Rowing versus Aviron: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart RowingAviron
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (682 ratings) — better4.5 (150 ratings)
Positive reviews73.2% of reviews73.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings682 — better150
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB2.3 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVigour Group LtdAviron Interactive Inc

Customer experience

Start Rowing

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

Aviron

All ratings130 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral0.8%
Negative13.1%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative26.7%

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

Aviron

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
5 purchases

Aviron

Subscriptions5
  • Monthly Membership14 Days trial$19.951 Month
  • Monthly Membership$34.001 Month
  • Annual Membership$35.901 Year
Show 2 more
  • Annual Membership14 Days trial$179.001 Year
  • Annual Membership$349.001 Year

Questions

Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aviron free?
Aviron is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Start Rowing or Aviron?
Start Rowing is rated higher. Start Rowing averages 4.7 out of 5 from 682 ratings, while Aviron averages 4.5 from 150 ratings.
Do Start Rowing or Aviron have ads?
Neither Start Rowing nor Aviron shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or Aviron?
Start Rowing ships an update every 3 weeks, and Aviron monthly. Most recently, Start Rowing was updated on November 7, 2026 and Aviron on November 7, 2026.

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