Comparison

Start Rowing vs StairMaster Log

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

StairMaster Log

Track your stair machine workouts with customizable sessions, timers, and post-workout feedback. Set weekly goals, view your history, and personalize the app's appearance. It's designed to motivate and help you achieve peak fitness.

Highlights
  • Customizable workouts
  • In-app timer
  • Session difficulty rating
  • Workout history log
  • Weekly goal setting
  • Customizable themes
  • Dark mode
Features
Read full description

StairQuest: Your StairMaster Companion Turn every stair machine session into measurable progress. StairQuest is the stair-climbing app built for people who actually use the StairMaster — whether you're working up to your first 20 minutes or chasing a new personal best. WORKOUTS BUILT AROUND YOU - Pick your level and target time, then let the in-app timer guide the session - Rate each workout as "easy," "just right," or "exhausting" so future sessions match your effort TRACK WHAT MATTERS - Full workout history with calories, duration, level, and how you felt - Weekly goals to keep you showing up, even on the days you don't feel like it YOURS TO CUSTOMIZE - Custom themes so the app matches your style - Dark mode for early mornings and late nights at the gym StairQuest isn't trying to replace your trainer or reinvent cardio — it just makes the stair machine less boring and your progress easier to see. One session at a time. Download StairQuest and start climbing. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Start Rowing4 screens
StairMaster Log4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StairMaster Log at none against Start Rowing's 8. StairMaster Log also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 73%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Start Rowing's advantage is ratings volume (682 vs 9) and device support (3 vs 1). On price 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. StairMaster Log asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

StairMaster Log holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Rowing has 682 ratings behind it against 9, 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 100% of StairMaster Log's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start Rowing ships an update every 3 weeks, StairMaster Log every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Start Rowing versus StairMaster Log: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart RowingStairMaster Log
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (682 ratings)5.0 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings682 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVigour Group LtdKurt Higa

Customer experience

Start Rowing

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

StairMaster Log

All ratings9 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

StairMaster Log

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

StairMaster Log

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StairMaster Log free?
StairMaster Log is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Start Rowing or StairMaster Log?
StairMaster Log is rated higher. Start Rowing averages 4.7 out of 5 from 682 ratings, while StairMaster Log averages 5.0 from 9 ratings.
Do Start Rowing or StairMaster Log have ads?
Neither Start Rowing nor StairMaster Log shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or StairMaster Log?
Start Rowing ships an update every 3 weeks, and StairMaster Log every 8 days. Most recently, Start Rowing was updated on November 7, 2026 and StairMaster Log on November 4, 2026.

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