# Zwift Companion vs Packstack

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Packstack at 100% against Zwift Companion's 47%. Packstack also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). Zwift Companion's advantage is ratings volume (27K vs 5). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Packstack holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Zwift Companion has 27K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of Zwift Companion's written reviews are positive against 100% of Packstack's.

Zwift Companion ships an update every 3 weeks, Packstack fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Zwift Companion | Packstack |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (27K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zwift-companion/id934083691/reviews) | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packstack-backpacking-gear/id6760873801/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **27K** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 47.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 306 MB | 44 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zwift, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/934083689) | [Jerad Maplethorpe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1886603203) |

## What reviewers say

### Zwift Companion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zwift-companion/id934083691)

Enhance your virtual cycling experience with a companion app that acts as a remote control for your rides. Plan workouts, discover events, connect with other cyclists, and track your progress. Adjust trainer resistance, send messages, and view rider stats in real-time.

**Highlights:** Remote control for virtual rides, Event discovery and planning, In-ride communication and control, Trainer resistance adjustment, Ride data analysis, Friend and club discovery

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Ability to schedule events and sync to calendar
- 👍 Provides a good map with multiple zoom levels
- 👍 Helpful for sweeping in group rides
- 👍 Allows text chat with other riders
- 👍 Displays recent activity and performance metrics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Constant connection drops and inability to reconnect
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔒 Requires same WiFi network as Zwift game
- 🐛 Apple Watch connectivity issues
- 🐛 Syncing problems between companion app and Zwift app

**Reported bugs**

- Text disappearing from iPhone screen
- Companion app not connecting to Zwift app
- Watch app never works or is buggy
- Companion app disconnecting mid-ride
- Profile changes not saving

**Requested features**

- Add ability to view and change rider avatar/gear
- Integrate with Apple Health for workout sync
- Add profile customization options
- Improve Apple Watch integration and stability
- Add landscape mode support for mobile devices


### Packstack

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/packstack-backpacking-gear/id6760873801)

This app helps backpackers and hikers meticulously track gear, organize packing lists, and calculate essential trip details like base weight and calorie needs. It offers a comprehensive gear inventory, reusable kits, and detailed trip planning features. Syncs across devices and allows sharing of setups.

**Highlights:** Gear inventory management, Trip-specific packing lists, Reusable gear kits, Base weight and calorie calculation, Hiker profile creation, Trip planning tools, Gear catalog search

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Zwift Companion free?

Zwift Companion is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Packstack free?

Packstack is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Zwift Companion or Packstack?

Packstack is rated higher. Zwift Companion averages 4.7 out of 5 from 27K ratings, while Packstack averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do Zwift Companion or Packstack have ads?

Neither Zwift Companion nor Packstack shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Zwift Companion or Packstack?

Zwift Companion ships an update every 3 weeks, and Packstack fortnightly. Most recently, Zwift Companion was updated on October 19, 2026 and Packstack on October 18, 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.*