Cyclist vs ProTec Smart
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Cyclist
This app delivers in-depth road cycling content, featuring reviews of bikes and gear, expert advice, and stunning photography. Explore iconic brands, pro peloton stories, and breathtaking rides from around the world.
- Road bike reviews
- Cycling gear reviews
- Expert performance advice
- Pro peloton stories
- Stunning photography
- App-friendly format
- Video content and 360° views
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The Cyclist app brings the digital magazine, website, podcast and store together in one place. • Catch up on the latest news, kit launches, race highlights and opinions on the website. • Use the interactive map to browse the back catalogue of rides and climbs around Britain, Europe and the rest of the world. • Flick through the latest issue of Cyclist magazine – or any back issues – with enhanced reading facility to make it phone-friendly. • Listen to the podcast, where we talk to some of the biggest names in the sport, including Tadej Pogačar, Greg LeMond, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney, Bradley Wiggins, Tom Pidcock, Lizzie Deignan, Pippa York and many, many more. • Head to the store to find back issues of Cyclist magazine, plus books, t-shirts, prints and other gifts. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
ProTec Smart
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Never miss one of you dive ID card. Now you have them all at your smartphone. With overview and detail information about every single certification. Easy to use. The app also works offline. All current certificates since the last online connection are displayed. An update status is displayed for professional level. The Smart-Card is an add-on tool for the ProTec Member Area. Please note that this ProTec Smart-Card only works in combination with the access and your profile of ProTec Member Area.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Cyclist at Free against ProTec Smart's $3.99. ProTec Smart's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On update cadence, ads, device support 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
Cyclist is free to download; ProTec Smart costs $3.99 up front. Cyclist sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per 3 months. ProTec Smart asks for nothing beyond the download.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Cyclist | ProTec Smart |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $3.99 |
| Rating | 4.7 (147 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 147 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 90 MB | 58 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Metropolis International Group Ltd | Alpha ITC |
Bugs and requests
Cyclist
Reported bugs
17 issues- App crashes immediately on launch
- Incompatible with iOS 17 and newer versions
- Downloaded magazines don't persist on device
- Partial downloads despite good internet connection
- App locks up and freezes during use
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- Cannot access downloads without internet connection
- Subscription validation errors (iTunes receipt error 21004)
- Login fails to recognize email or account credentials
- App resets and loses all downloaded content after updates
- Menu structure completely broken after updates
- White pages stating data source cannot be read
- Jittery page loading during browsing
- Unable to navigate between issues
- App becomes unusable after forced updates
- Subscription status not recognized despite valid payment
- Issues 100-108 cause app to crash
- Subscribe button leads to useless page
Requested features
10 requests- Bookmark functionality to save reading position
- Page sync across devices
- Offline reading without internet requirement
- Zoom-enabled contents page
- Device-compatible GPS files for cycling routes
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- More North American cycling destination coverage
- Integration of advertisements with shop/web links
- Ability to re-open magazine where you left off
- Display percentage of magazine read on cover
- Improved navigation between editions
ProTec Smart
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Cyclist
- 3 month subscription1 Month trial$13.993 Months
- 6 month subscription$26.996 Months
- 12 month subscription$49.991 Year
- Cyclist Single Issue 47$4.99
- Cyclist Single Issue 49$4.99
- Cyclist Single Issue 52$4.99
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- Cyclist Single Issue 14$5.99
- Cyclist Single Issue 44$5.99
- Cyclist Single Issue 46$5.99
- Cyclist Single Issue 48$5.99
ProTec Smart
No in-app purchases
