Comparison

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing vs Rowing Machine Workouts

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

Connect your rowing machine to explore virtual worlds and boost your fitness. Engage in challenges, races, and minigames to achieve your goals and compete globally. Analyze your performance with detailed reports and sync your data with popular fitness platforms.

Highlights
  • Row in virtual worlds
  • Beat challenges and goals
  • Race against global users
  • Play minigames
  • Analyze performance reports
  • Sync with Strava and TrainingPeaks
  • Connect FTMS Bluetooth rowers
Features
Read full description

Connect your rowing machine to row in virtual worlds. Boost your motivation as you beat challenges, crush goals and race to become #1. Row more than ever before with EXR! ___ Download the virtual indoor rowing app created by the award-winning game development studio Salty Lemon Entertainment. BOOST YOUR WORKOUT MOTIVATION - Explore real rowing hotspots and new courses - Beat daily, weekly and monthly challenges - Create and crush custom goals - Unlock achievements - Level up to unlock gear for your avatar SPICE UP YOUR ROWING ROUTINE - Row alongside friends at your own pace in Just Row - Race against rowers from all across the globe - Compete against your PR with ghost boats - Play minigames and become #1 TRAIN LIKE A CHAMP - Find out your FTP score with the ramp test and the 20-minute test - 100+ workouts based on your fitness level and 3 difficulty levels - Workouts created by the trainer of ex-indoor rowing champion Ward Lemmelijn ANALYZE & SHARE YOUR PROGRESS - Analyze your performance with detailed reports - Sync to Concept2 logbook, TrainingPeaks and Strava. - Visit your EXR web profile to download your workout data as FIT files for manual uploads. EASILY CONNECT YOUR GEAR - Connect your FTMS Bluetooth rowing machine in a few clicks. - Add your heart rate monitor for extra data (compatible with Apple Health). - Use EXR cross-platform on your favorite Apple devices. JOIN ONE OF THE BIGGEST VIRTUAL ROWING COMMUNITIES - “Never rowed as much in a period as I have with EXR.” - “I really like the Buoy Blast minigame! Real motivator for sprint rowing.” - “Works great and excellent motivator, customer service is great also.” - “I love all of the data the app collects and how easy it is to use.” - “EXR is the best app I have used and I think I have tried most of them. Absolutely love it.” GET STARTED IN 3 QUICK STEPS 1. Download the EXR app now on your iPhone, iPad, MacBook and Apple TV. 2. Enjoy a risk-free 14-day free trial by creating your free EXR account. 3. Connect your rowing machine and heart rate monitor and you’re ready to start your virtual rowing journey! A subscription is required after the 14 day trial period EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Rowing Machine Workouts

This app offers guided indoor rowing workouts for fat loss, cardio, and strength. It caters to all fitness levels with various plans and features like audio coaching and activity tracking. Customize your sessions or use the free row option to improve your technique and overall health.

Highlights
  • Guided rowing plans for various goals
  • Audio coaching with background music support
  • Customizable workout builder
  • Activity tracking and workout logger
  • SPM metronome for pacing
  • Apple Health integration
Features
Read full description

Indoor rowing workouts and plans that make you fitter, stronger and leaner. Live sync with your Concept2 PM5 monitor, plus heart rate from your Apple Watch. Follow a guided plan, row in time with the stroke metronome, and watch your progress build week by week. Whether you're new to the rowing machine or want more structure in your training, there's a plan for you. WHY ROWING MACHINE WORKOUTS? Rowing works your legs, core, back and arms in every stroke. It's low impact, burns serious calories and fits any fitness level. This app turns your rower into a coach: clear plans, guided intervals and real data from your machine. Train from just 2 days a week. New to rowing? Start with the Beginner Plan. Want to lose weight? Follow the Weight Loss Plan. Every plan builds gradually to help your body adapt and reduce the risk of injury or burnout. CONNECTS TO YOUR ROWER • Concept2 PM5: connect over Bluetooth for live split, stroke rate and metres during your workout • Smart rowers: connect a wide range of Bluetooth rowing machines for live workout data • Any other rowing machine: follow the guided workouts with the timer and metronome • Apple Watch: stream live heart rate to your iPhone while you row FEATURES GUIDED PLANS Choose a plan for your level and goal. HIIT intervals, target stroke rates and rest guidance tell you exactly what to do and when. STROKE RATE METRONOME Hit your target strokes per minute (SPM) with an audio metronome and phase guide that keep your rhythm steady. AUDIO COACHING Voice cues guide you through every interval while your own music plays in the background. CUSTOM WORKOUTS Build your own sessions. Set your SPM and duration and row your way. FREE ROW Row at your own pace and adjust your SPM as you go. WORKOUT LOG Every session is saved. Track distance, split time and average heart rate, and repeat your favourite workouts. APPLE HEALTH Workouts sync to the Health app for a complete view of your activity. WARM-UPS, COOL-DOWNS & STRENGTH Recommended exercises to prepare, recover and build full-body strength alongside your rowing. Concept2 and PM5 are trademarks of Concept2, Inc. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Concept2. HEALTH DISCLAIMER This app is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any fitness program. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Terms: https://www.vigour.fitness/terms Privacy: https://www.vigour.fitness/privacy

Screenshots

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing4 screens
Rowing Machine Workouts4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: EXR | Virtual indoor rowing at none against Rowing Machine Workouts's shown. Rowing Machine Workouts's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 66%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. EXR | Virtual indoor rowing sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.95 per month 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Rowing Machine Workouts holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 298 and 355 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of EXR | Virtual indoor rowing's written reviews are positive against 87% of Rowing Machine Workouts's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing ships an update fortnightly, Rowing Machine Workouts every 6 days. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
EXR | Virtual indoor rowing versus Rowing Machine Workouts: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEXR | Virtual indoor rowingRowing Machine Workouts
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (298 ratings)4.7 (355 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.2% of reviews87.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings298355 — better
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size921 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSalty Lemon EntertainmentVigour Group Ltd

Customer experience

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

All ratings298 ratings
Positive88.6%
Neutral3.0%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews222 reviews
Positive66.2%
Neutral8.6%
Negative25.2%

Rowing Machine Workouts

All ratings355 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral4.5%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews188 reviews
Positive87.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative7.4%

User reviews

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

From 298 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Motivational and data-driven
  • 🚀 Immersive rowing experience
  • 🎮 Fun and engaging games
  • 💪 Helps achieve fitness goals
  • 🤝 Supportive community

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription is overpriced
  • 🐛 Connectivity issues and bugs
  • 🤖 Avatar movement not in sync
  • 📊 Lack of integration with Apple Health
  • 🎵 No option to use own music

Rowing Machine Workouts

From 355 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 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

Room to improve

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

Bugs and requests

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Account creation and login issues
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Inaccurate data sync with Concept2
  • Incompatibility with certain devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Live multiplayer races
  • More training programs and maps
  • Customizable workout editor
  • Age-based leaderboards
  • 360-degree live footage

Rowing Machine Workouts

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Free trial not functioning properly
  • Connectivity issues with some rowing machines

Requested features

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

In-app purchases

3 purchases

EXR | Virtual indoor rowing

Subscriptions3
  • EXR (1 Month)$14.951 Month
  • EXR (6 Months)$65.906 Months
  • EXR (1 Year)$119.991 Year
9 purchases

Rowing Machine Workouts

Subscriptions8
  • Rowing Workouts Weekly$6.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly2 variants$14.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Premium Yearly1 Year trial$79.991 Year
  • Premium$79.991 Year
  • Rowing Workouts Yearly$79.991 Year
  • Rowing Workouts Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Rowing Workouts Yearly7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$249.99

Questions

Is EXR | Virtual indoor rowing free?
EXR | Virtual indoor 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, EXR | Virtual indoor rowing or Rowing Machine Workouts?
Rowing Machine Workouts is rated higher. EXR | Virtual indoor rowing averages 4.5 out of 5 from 298 ratings, while Rowing Machine Workouts averages 4.7 from 355 ratings.
Do EXR | Virtual indoor rowing or Rowing Machine Workouts have ads?
Rowing Machine Workouts shows ads; EXR | Virtual indoor rowing does not.
Which is updated more often, EXR | Virtual indoor rowing or Rowing Machine Workouts?
EXR | Virtual indoor rowing ships an update fortnightly, and Rowing Machine Workouts every 6 days. Most recently, EXR | Virtual indoor rowing was updated on November 7, 2026 and Rowing Machine Workouts on November 7, 2026.

Other comparisons