Comparison

ErgData vs Start Rowing

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

Head to head
About

ErgData

This app acts as a personal training partner for Concept2 equipment. It allows users to set up custom workouts, view real-time stats, track progress, and sync data with online platforms. It also offers workout of the day challenges and detailed post-workout analysis.

Highlights
  • Custom workout setup
  • Real-time workout stats
  • Progress tracking
  • Sync with Concept2 Logbook
  • Workout of the Day
  • Post-workout analysis
  • Apple Watch compatibility
Features
Read full description

ErgData from Concept2 is your personal training partner. Set up workouts from your phone or tablet, view customized stats and information during workouts, track your progress, sync with the Concept2 Online Logbook, take part in the Workout of the Day and much more. Features -Set up workouts from your phone, making it simple to create even the most complex of interval workouts. You can choose to store workouts as favorites or rerow past efforts straight from ErgData. -Set the Concept2 Workout of the Day on the monitor with a single tap. -Compatible with the Apple Watch. Watch users can now see real-time heart rate data on the screen during the workout and in analysis afterwards. -Choose from different workout display options, including small, medium and large data screens, a pace graph screen, an interval and split table or a pace boat. Easily swipe between screens during your workout. Customize the data shown to suit you. -Syncs with the Concept2 Online Logbook, making it easy for you to take part in our many challenges. From the Online Logbook, your workouts can get sent to platforms such as Strava, Garmin Connect or Training Peaks. -Detailed post-workout analysis helps you know exactly what happened during your workout. See all your interval and split data, as well as pace and rate graphs, plus how long you spent in each heart rate zone. -Optional voice guidance to send audible workout data and results. Technical Specifications -Compatible with the PM5. -Compatible with the Concept2 RowErg, SkiErg and BikeErg -Connects to Apple Health -Connects to PM5 via Bluetooth only Note: Please do not have a USB stick in the PM5 at the same time as using ErgData, as this may prevent workouts being saved.

About

Start Rowing

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
Read full description

Start Rowing without any previous experience needed. Get in shape, build strength and burn calories. Our rowing app's workout plans will train you for the next stage in your rowing journey. Never rowed before? Start with our beginner plan. In 8 weeks you’ll be comfortable rowing 2000 meters with correct technique. Experienced erger? Use our intermediate and advanced plans to improve your overall fitness while increasing your rowing capacity. Start Rowing will guide you step by step, letting you know when to change rowing intensity and when to rest. Each plan is designed to slowly become more challenging so your body can adapt and gain endurance while minimising any risk of injury. Spend just 10-30 minutes a day, 2-5 days a week. You’ll be fitter, stronger and a much better rower! Features - Choose from Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced training plans. - Session based Challenger workouts to exercise your whole body. - Audio coach to guide your through your rowing workout. - Rowing metronome to help you keep in time. - Log your workouts and keep track of your overall progress. - Share your progress. - APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION: Connect your workouts to Health App to track your daily activity. Legal Disclaimer This app and any information given by it are for educational purposes only. They are not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any fitness program. If you upgrade to a premium Start Rowing subscription, payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. There is no increase in cost when renewing. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in iTunes after purchase. Once purchased, the current period cannot be cancelled. Any unused portion of a free trial period is forfeited if you choose to purchase a premium subscription. Find the full terms and conditions at https://www.vigour.fitness/terms, and our privacy policy at https://www.vigour.fitness/privacy.

Screenshots

ErgData4 screens
Start Rowing4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ErgData at none against Start Rowing's 8. ErgData also leads on ratings volume (5.1K vs 681). Start Rowing's advantage is review sentiment (73% vs 45%). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. ErgData asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for ErgData against 4.7 for Start Rowing. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ErgData has 5.1K ratings behind it against 681, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 45% of ErgData's written reviews are positive against 73% of Start Rowing's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ErgData versus Start Rowing: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterErgDataStart Rowing
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (5.1K ratings)4.7 (681 ratings)
Positive reviews45.4% of reviews73.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5.1K — better681
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperConcept2, Inc.Vigour Group Ltd

Customer experience

ErgData

All ratings5,055 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews678 reviews
Positive45.4%
Neutral11.2%
Negative43.4%

Start Rowing

All ratings681 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.1%
Written reviews97 reviews
Positive73.2%
Neutral9.3%
Negative17.5%

User reviews

ErgData

From 5.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great app
  • 👍 Excellent stats
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Seamless sync with Concept2 logbook
  • 👍 Customizable heart rate zones

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connection issues with PM5
  • 🐛 Unreliable heart rate monitoring
  • 🐛 Sync issues with Apple Health
  • 🐛 Crashes and data loss
  • 🐛 Frequent disconnections

Start Rowing

From 681 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Helpful for beginners
  • 🚀 Structured workout plans
  • 👍 Easy to follow
  • 👍 Enjoyable and motivating
  • 🚀 Useful metronome and pacing features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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)

Bugs and requests

ErgData

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Workout data not saving
  • Heart rate data freezing
  • Disconnects during workouts
  • Sync issues with Apple Health and Strava
  • Login issues and frequent logouts
Show 1 more
  • Incompatibility with older firmware versions

Requested features

8 requests
  • Add friend mode
  • Integrate Apple Watch support
  • Add manual workout entry
  • Implement landscape mode for iPad
  • Integrate pace calculator
Show 3 more
  • Add recovery heart rate tracking
  • Display METS data
  • Allow custom heart rate zones in logbook

Start Rowing

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Blank screen during workouts
  • Inconsistent stroke rate changes
  • Automatic screen shutoff during workouts

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

In-app purchases

None

ErgData

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Start Rowing

Subscriptions6
  • Start Rowing Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly2 variants$14.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Premium Yearly$79.991 Year
  • Premium Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$179.99

Questions

Is ErgData free?
ErgData is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Start Rowing free?
Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ErgData or Start Rowing?
ErgData and Start Rowing are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5.1K and 681 ratings respectively.
Do ErgData or Start Rowing have ads?
Neither ErgData nor Start Rowing shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ErgData or Start Rowing?
ErgData ships an update every 2 weeks, and Start Rowing every 2 weeks. Most recently, ErgData was updated on September 23, 2026 and Start Rowing on September 11, 2026.

Other comparisons