Comparison

Bicycling vs TrainerRoad

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

Head to head
About

Bicycling

Discover the best cycling routes, gear recommendations, and fitness advice. This app offers practical tips for both experienced racers and beginners to enhance their riding experience. Enjoy exclusive content and share articles easily.

Highlights
  • Bike and gear recommendations
  • Fitness and strength advice
  • Beautiful road and trail guides
  • Practical tips for all cyclists
  • Social media sharing
  • Timed issue previews
Features
Read full description

Bicycling inspires cyclists with authoritative recommendations on the latest bikes and gear, the best advice on getting fitter and stronger, and guides to ride the most beautiful roads and trails. Bicycling gives experienced racers and beginning cyclists the practical tips to enjoy the ride of their lives. SUBSCRIBE NOW AND GET YOUR FIRST ISSUE FREE! Don't forget, you can also get free access to issues with a timed preview (on your iPhone, too!). Plus, share app content with your favorite social networks. Using a simple two-finger tap, actual images of the content itself are “clipped” and can be sent directly to Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or Pinterest, or via email or saved to your photo roll. Download our free app today! Select the issue you'd like to purchase, or sign up with a subscription and save! Please note that you must have iOS 10.0 or higher installed on your device to use this app. Bicycling Pricing: • Subscription 1 Month - USD 1.99* • Subscription 1 Year - USD 19.99* * For non-US app stores, the equivalent currency charges will apply. Please note: App subscriptions do not include access to subscription-only content on our website. Additional Subscription Information: • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Privacy Policy - https://bit.ly/2J5Ujfh Terms of Use - https://bit.ly/2J1YZqL • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.

About

TrainerRoad

This app offers intelligent cycling and triathlon training plans that adapt to your performance, schedule, and goals. It provides daily workout recommendations, instant analysis, and over 3,000 structured workouts to help you become a faster cyclist.

Highlights
  • Adaptive Training plans
  • Daily workout recommendations
  • Progression Levels
  • 100+ training plans
  • 3,000+ structured workouts
  • Interactive Training Calendar
  • Indoor/outdoor training
Features
Read full description

Train smarter and get faster with TrainerRoad AI, the most advanced cycling training app built to give you the right workout, every time. TrainerRoad is a cycling training app that uses AI to help you increase your FTP, build endurance, and get faster with structured, personalized workouts. TrainerRoad AI analyzes your training, fitness, and fatigue to select the perfect workout for you, so you can improve your FTP, build endurance, and perform at your best without guesswork. Whether you train indoors, ride outside, or race, TrainerRoad adapts to how you train to keep you progressing. No static plans. No guesswork. Just smarter training that works. ————————————— WHY TRAINERROAD AI WORKS TrainerRoad AI uses advanced artificial intelligence trained on millions of real rides to continuously adjust your training based on how you actually perform. Every workout is selected to match your fitness, recovery, and goals so you can train consistently and get faster. • Get the right workout every time • Train with the right intensity and volume • Avoid burnout with fatigue-aware training • See how your training will impact your fitness before you do it ————————————— KEY FEATURES AI-Powered Cycling Training TrainerRoad AI selects and updates every workout based on your fitness, fatigue, and goals. As your training changes, your plan updates automatically. AI FTP Detection Automatically get an accurate FTP without testing. TrainerRoad continuously detects and updates your FTP from your training data so you always train at the right level. Fatigue Detection Stay consistent and avoid overtraining. TrainerRoad AI adjusts your plan with rest or easier workouts when your fatigue is too high. AI Training Simulation See how your training will impact your future fitness. TrainerRoad AI predicts your progress and shows how changes to your plan affect your results. Personalized Training Plans Build a cycling training plan for road, gravel, mountain bike, triathlon, or indoor cycling. TrainerRoad AI continuously adapts your plan to keep you improving. Train Indoors or Outdoors Follow structured workouts inside or outside. Sync workouts to your bike computer or ride in apps like Zwift while staying on track. Flexible Training Approach Control how hard you train. Adjust your training intensity and volume to match your schedule, goals, and recovery. Dynamic Endurance & Smart Volume TrainerRoad AI adjusts workout duration and long rides to build endurance without unnecessary fatigue. Workout Alternates Swap workouts for harder, easier, shorter, or longer options, all matched to your fitness and goals. ————————————— WHAT TRAINERROAD ATHLETES ARE SAYING • "I am so much fitter, stronger, faster than ever. The new AI features give me a coach in the app." - TrainerRoad Subscriber • "I hope my competition doesn't catch on because I'm crushing PRs left and right using TrainerRoad AI." - TrainerRoad Subscriber • "TrainerRoad AI helped me break through a long plateau and start setting PRs again." - TrainerRoad Subscriber • "TrainerRoad helped me cut an hour off my Leadville time and get a sub-9 hour finish." - TrainerRoad Subscriber ————————————— COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR SETUP Train with the equipment you already own. TrainerRoad works with smart trainers, power meters, and over 200 compatible devices. Ride indoors or send workouts to your Garmin, Wahoo, or Hammerhead bike computer. ————————————— SUBSCRIPTION TrainerRoad memberships are $21.99/month or $209.99/year. You may purchase an auto-renewing subscription through an in-app purchase: • Auto-renewable subscription • 1 month or 1 year options • Subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period • Manage or cancel in your iTunes Account Settings Privacy policy and terms: https://www.trainerroad.com/terms-and-conditions/ ————————————— REQUIREMENTS • iOS 16 or later • Compatible smart trainer, power meter, or speed sensor recommended

Screenshots

Bicycling4 screens
TrainerRoad4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: TrainerRoad at 82% against Bicycling's 22%. TrainerRoad also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.4) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months). Bicycling's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Bicycling sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and TrainerRoad sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $21.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TrainerRoad holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TrainerRoad has 21K ratings behind it against 1.1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 22% of Bicycling's written reviews are positive against 82% of TrainerRoad's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bicycling ships an update every 3 months, TrainerRoad weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Bicycling versus TrainerRoad: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBicyclingTrainerRoad
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (1.1K ratings)4.9 (21K ratings) — better
Positive reviews22.4% of reviews81.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.1K21K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB98 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperHearst Communications, Inc.Trainer Road, LLC

Customer experience

Bicycling

All ratings1,115 ratings
Positive84.9%
Neutral2.8%
Negative12.3%
Written reviews85 reviews
Positive22.4%
Neutral5.9%
Negative71.8%

TrainerRoad

All ratings21,440 ratings
Positive98.0%
Neutral1.1%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews662 reviews
Positive81.9%
Neutral4.1%
Negative14.0%

User reviews

Bicycling

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 👍 Informative content
  • 🚲 Helpful for cyclists

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🔒 Login issues
  • 💸 Confusing subscription model
  • 🔌 Offline reading problems
  • 🤯 Poor customer support

TrainerRoad

From 21K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Makes Training Dead Simple
  • 🚀 Continual Improvement
  • 🚀 Excellent Training Platform
  • 🚀 Transformational and Uplifting
  • 🚀 Brilliant to Manage Burnout

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Horrible App, Constantly Crashing
  • 🐛 App is Always Slow and Buggy
  • 🔋 Expensive Compared to Alternatives

Bugs and requests

Bicycling

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App freezes and becomes unusable
  • Issues with downloading and restoring purchases
  • Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

Requested features

3 requests
  • Bookmark feature to save progress
  • Improved navigation and UI
  • Seamless integration with print subscription

TrainerRoad

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Devices not always picked up
  • Power spikes to twice FTP

Requested features

2 requests
  • Apple TV support
  • Better integration with Apple Health

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Bicycling

Subscriptions2
  • Bicycling 1 Month Subscription$1.991 Month
  • Bicycling 1 Year Subscription1 Month trial$19.991 Year
One-time8
  • Bicycling Tour De France Photo Guide$1.99
  • Bicycling Jan / Feb 2012$6.99
  • April 2012$6.99
Show 5 more
  • May 2012$6.99
  • Jan/Feb 2013$6.99
  • March 2013$6.99
  • April 2013$6.99
  • April 2014$6.99
2 purchases

TrainerRoad

Subscriptions2
  • TrainerRoad Standard$21.991 Month
  • TrainerRoad Standard$209.991 Year

Questions

Is Bicycling free?
Bicycling is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is TrainerRoad free?
TrainerRoad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Bicycling or TrainerRoad?
TrainerRoad is rated higher. Bicycling averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while TrainerRoad averages 4.9 from 21K ratings.
Do Bicycling or TrainerRoad have ads?
Neither Bicycling nor TrainerRoad shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bicycling or TrainerRoad?
Bicycling ships an update every 3 months, and TrainerRoad weekly. Most recently, Bicycling was updated on October 20, 2026 and TrainerRoad on October 27, 2026.

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