# MCF Thrivified vs Start Rowing

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Start Rowing at 73% against MCF Thrivified's 29%. Start Rowing also leads on rating (4.7 vs 1.7) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MCF Thrivified sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Start Rowing sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Start Rowing holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Start Rowing has 682 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of MCF Thrivified's written reviews are positive against 73% of Start Rowing's.

MCF Thrivified ships an update every 10 days, Start Rowing every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MCF Thrivified | Start Rowing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.7 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mcf-thrivified/id761391017/reviews) | **[4.7 (682 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-rowing-workouts-app/id1504306767/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 15 | **682** |
| Positive reviews | 28.9% of reviews | **73.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 84 MB | 49 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [LifeSmart LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1725056965) | [Vigour Group Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1546613605) |

## What reviewers say

### MCF Thrivified

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mcf-thrivified/id761391017)

Achieve your fitness goals at home with a wide range of classes and personalized workout programs. Track your progress, sync with compatible fitness equipment, and get motivated with expert coaching. Offers both free and premium features to suit your needs.

**Highlights:** Personalized workout programs, Hundreds of coaching videos, Bluetooth fitness equipment integration, Workout tracking (weight, calories, distance), Goal setting, Workout journal reports

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MCF Plus Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| MCF Ultimate Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| MCF Plus Yearly | $30.00 | per year |
| MCF Ultimate Yearly | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ⭐ Excellent customer service
- 👍 Helpful workout options
- 🚀 Easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 💸 Excessive ads
- 🔋 Battery drain
- 🤯 Buggy and unreliable

**Reported bugs**

- Inability to save or log workouts
- App crashes and freezes
- Syncing issues with connected equipment

**Requested features**

- Ability to customize exercises
- Integration with Apple Health
- Improved data tracking and analytics


### Start Rowing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/start-rowing-workouts-app/id1504306767)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Start Rowing Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $79.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $99.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $179.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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)

**Reported bugs**

- Blank screen during workouts
- Inconsistent stroke rate changes
- Automatic screen shutoff during workouts

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MCF Thrivified free?

MCF Thrivified is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Start Rowing free?

Start Rowing is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, MCF Thrivified or Start Rowing?

Start Rowing is rated higher. MCF Thrivified averages 1.7 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while Start Rowing averages 4.7 from 682 ratings.

### Do MCF Thrivified or Start Rowing have ads?

MCF Thrivified shows ads; Start Rowing does not.

### Which is updated more often, MCF Thrivified or Start Rowing?

MCF Thrivified ships an update every 10 days, and Start Rowing every 2 weeks. Most recently, MCF Thrivified was updated on September 21, 2026 and Start Rowing on September 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*