EXR | Virtual indoor rowing vs DraftForge
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
EXR | Virtual indoor rowing
Transform your indoor rowing workouts with immersive virtual worlds and engaging challenges. Connect your rowing machine to explore scenic routes, race against others globally, and track your progress with detailed analytics. Gamified features and structured training plans help you achieve your fitness goals.
- Virtual rowing worlds and courses
- Global races and challenges
- Avatar customization and gear unlocks
- Structured training plans and tests
- Performance analytics and progress reports
- Sync with Concept2, TrainingPeaks, Strava
- FTMS Bluetooth rowing machine connectivity
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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/
DraftForge
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Build a cycling training program around the way you actually train. DraftForge creates personalised, periodised cycling programs based on your riding experience, goals, training availability, and current riding volume. Rather than forcing you into a generic training template, DraftForge builds your program around the time you have available and the riding you want to prepare for. PERSONALISED TRAINING PLANS Tell DraftForge about your riding background, current training, goals, available days, and preferred ride times. DraftForge uses this information to create a structured cycling program designed around you. STRUCTURED PROGRESSION Your program is organised into training phases and weeks, with endurance, recovery, and higher-intensity sessions incorporated according to your training profile and progression. A CALENDAR BUILT FOR TRAINING See your entire program in a simple calendar. Open any session for its target duration, intensity, terrain guidance, and workout instructions. TRAIN AROUND YOUR LIFE Choose the days you can ride, how much time you have available, and when you prefer to train. DraftForge builds the program around those constraints rather than expecting your life to fit the plan. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS Mark sessions as completed, follow your training progression, and keep your program organised as you work through each phase. CLEAR WORKOUT GUIDANCE Each workout gives you practical guidance on how to complete the session. Endurance sessions prioritise duration and intensity while providing realistic distance guidance based on the session. METRIC OR IMPERIAL Choose kilometres or miles and DraftForge presents your training information in the units you prefer. BUILT FOR CYCLISTS Whether you are building consistency, improving fitness, preparing for longer rides, or working towards a cycling goal, DraftForge gives you a structured training program without unnecessary complexity. DraftForge provides training guidance for informational and fitness purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: EXR | Virtual indoor rowing at 5 against DraftForge's 2. EXR | Virtual indoor rowing also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.4). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. EXR | Virtual indoor rowing sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.95 per month and DraftForge sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
EXR | Virtual indoor rowing ships an update fortnightly, DraftForge every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EXR | Virtual indoor rowing | DraftForge |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (291 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 65.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 291 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 26.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 866 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Salty Lemon Entertainment | Tim Doyle |
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
DraftForge
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
EXR | Virtual indoor rowing
- EXR (1 Month)$14.951 Month
- EXR (6 Months)$65.906 Months
- EXR (1 Year)$119.991 Year
DraftForge
- DraftForge Premium$5.991 Month
- DraftForge Premium$49.991 Year
Questions
Is EXR | Virtual indoor rowing free?
Is DraftForge free?
Do EXR | Virtual indoor rowing or DraftForge have ads?
Which is updated more often, EXR | Virtual indoor rowing or DraftForge?
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