Comparison

Start Rowing vs Bar

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

Bar

Read full description

Bring your existing workout into bar. Bar is the most user friendly workout tracker with large touch areas, big font and a simple and easy to use user interface. *Bar requires subscription, features like tracking workouts, creating workouts require a subscription in order access (All features demonstrated in the app preview and phone screenshots require a subscription to access.) Privacy Policy: https://different-waterlily-be8.notion.site/Privacy-policy-21809f2dc3b4808a8051e5ab90eb3e12 Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Start Rowing4 screens
Bar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Bar at every 5 days against Start Rowing's every 2 weeks. Start Rowing's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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 Bar sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, Bar every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Start Rowing versus Bar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart RowingBar
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (682 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews73.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings682 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB119 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVigour Group LtdBread technologies inc

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

Bar

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

Bar

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly access$4.991 Month
  • yearly access$29.991 Year
  • Yearly access7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Bar free?
Bar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Start Rowing or Bar have ads?
Neither Start Rowing nor Bar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or Bar?
Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, and Bar every 5 days. Most recently, Start Rowing was updated on October 10, 2026 and Bar on October 4, 2026.

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