Comparison

TrainerRoad vs Stages Cycling

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

Head to head
About

TrainerRoad

This AI-powered cycling training app provides personalized workouts to improve your fitness and speed. It analyzes your performance and fatigue to deliver the right training intensity and volume, adapting dynamically to your progress whether you train indoors or outdoors.

Highlights
  • AI-powered cycling training
  • AI FTP detection
  • Fatigue detection
  • AI training simulation
  • Personalized training plans
  • Indoor and outdoor training
  • Workout alternates
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

About

Stages Cycling

Configure, manage, and track your cycling performance with this app. It allows for customization of bike settings, real-time data viewing, and post-ride analysis. Seamlessly connect with third-party services and build custom courses for your rides.

Highlights
  • Configure smart bikes and rider profiles
  • Customize shifter, gearing, and button settings
  • View real-time cycling performance data
  • Capture and save ride data
  • Analyze post-ride metrics and performance
  • Upload data to third-party apps
  • Ride structured workouts
Features
Read full description

Your ride. Your data. Your Stages. The Stages Cycling app gives cyclists the tools to configure, manage, ride, and achieve individual goals with Stages Cycling products. SET UP & CUSTOMIZE • Configure Stages smart bikes, including SB20 and the new SB200 • Create and customize bike and rider profiles • Customize shifter, gearing, and button settings • Manage connected devices and sensors • Download and update product firmware RIDE & TRACK • View real-time cycling performance data (power, cadence, and heart rate) • New dynamic ride gauges • Portrait or landscape display • Pair devices and sensors during your ride • Pass-through sensor integration • Capture and save ride data • Build a GPX course to share with your favorite cycling computer ANALYZE & SHARE • Review post-ride metrics and performance data • Track your rides and workouts on the integrated calendar • Analyze power and indoor cycling rides with tools including Fitness - CTL, Fatigue – ATL, Form – TSB and T-Score. • Upload ride data to third-party apps • Connect with Strava, TrainingPeaks, and other services through StagesCloud • Apple Health connected WORKOUTS • Search for cycling workouts • Choose and build workouts • Ride structured workouts • Use connected sensors and devices throughout your training The Stages Cycling app is compatible with Stages Power and Stages Bike products and is supported by StagesCloud for data storage and third-party connections. NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED. Stages Cycling is authentic cycling.

Screenshots

TrainerRoad4 screens
Stages Cycling4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: TrainerRoad at 82% against Stages Cycling's 32%. TrainerRoad also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.8) and ratings volume (21K vs 128). Stages Cycling's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. TrainerRoad sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $21.99 per month. Stages Cycling asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

TrainerRoad holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TrainerRoad has 21K ratings behind it against 128, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of TrainerRoad's written reviews are positive against 32% of Stages Cycling's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TrainerRoad ships an update weekly, Stages Cycling every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
TrainerRoad versus Stages Cycling: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTrainerRoadStages Cycling
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (21K ratings) — better3.8 (128 ratings)
Positive reviews81.7% of reviews — better32.1% of reviews
Number of ratings21K — better128
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB127 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperTrainer Road, LLCSPIA Cycling Inc

Customer experience

TrainerRoad

All ratings21,439 ratings
Positive98.0%
Neutral1.1%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews663 reviews
Positive81.7%
Neutral4.2%
Negative14.0%

Stages Cycling

All ratings128 ratings
Positive71.9%
Neutral3.9%
Negative24.2%
Written reviews131 reviews
Positive32.1%
Neutral6.9%
Negative61.1%

User reviews

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

Stages Cycling

From 128 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful and customizable screen
  • 🚀 Flexible use of connections to sensors
  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Good library of workouts

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues with power meters and bikes
  • 🐛 Unreliable data tracking and syncing
  • 🐛 Buggy and unstable after updates
  • 🔍 Missing key features like analytics and navigation
  • 🔍 Discontinued support for older products

Bugs and requests

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

Stages Cycling

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent app crashes
  • Inability to upload/sync workouts
  • Erratic cadence and speed tracking
  • Disconnection issues with Bluetooth sensors

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to manually modify power zones
  • Desktop app or web interface
  • Better integration with Apple Health and other fitness apps

In-app purchases

2 purchases

TrainerRoad

Subscriptions2
  • TrainerRoad Standard$21.991 Month
  • TrainerRoad Standard$209.991 Year
None

Stages Cycling

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TrainerRoad free?
TrainerRoad is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stages Cycling free?
Stages Cycling is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TrainerRoad or Stages Cycling?
TrainerRoad is rated higher. TrainerRoad averages 4.9 out of 5 from 21K ratings, while Stages Cycling averages 3.8 from 128 ratings.
Do TrainerRoad or Stages Cycling have ads?
Neither TrainerRoad nor Stages Cycling shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TrainerRoad or Stages Cycling?
TrainerRoad ships an update weekly, and Stages Cycling every 4 weeks. Most recently, TrainerRoad was updated on November 8, 2026 and Stages Cycling on November 7, 2026.

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