# Start Rowing vs Cycle Unit

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Cycle Unit at 100% against Start Rowing's 73%. Cycle Unit also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Start Rowing's advantage is ratings volume (681 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, ads 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 Cycle Unit sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Cycle Unit holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Rowing has 681 ratings behind it against 1, 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 Cycle Unit's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Start Rowing | Cycle Unit |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (681 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-rowing-workouts-app/id1504306767/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cycle-unit-bike-computer/id6748000844/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **681** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 73.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 55 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vigour Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546613605) | [Christoph Gogolin](https://appshunter.io/developer/511901280) |

## 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


### Cycle Unit

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cycle-unit-bike-computer/id6748000844)

This app tracks cycling activities using your Apple Watch and iPhone, offering route planning, turn-by-turn navigation, and equipment maintenance logs. It prioritizes user privacy with no account or cloud storage required. Advanced features like route planning and navigation are available through a Pro subscription.

**Highlights:** GPS ride tracking with Apple Watch and iPhone, Route planning and turn-by-turn navigation, GPX route import and export, Equipment maintenance tracking, Strava segment integration, Group ride tracking with Game Center, Indoor trainer support

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All Pro features (monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| Pro yearly | $17.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Start Rowing free?

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

### Is Cycle Unit free?

Cycle Unit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Start Rowing or Cycle Unit?

Cycle Unit is rated higher. Start Rowing averages 4.7 out of 5 from 681 ratings, while Cycle Unit averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Start Rowing or Cycle Unit have ads?

Neither Start Rowing nor Cycle Unit shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Start Rowing or Cycle Unit?

Start Rowing ships an update every 2 weeks, and Cycle Unit every 2 weeks. Most recently, Start Rowing was updated on October 23, 2026 and Cycle Unit on October 26, 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.*