Top 10 Free and Paid Indoor Cycling Apps for 2019
Last week, Zwift announced a 50% price increase to their monthly subscription. Zwift, the virtual indoor cycling platform was developed three years ago and was free for beta testers. Since it went public with its software, the company charged $10/month for its service and quickly built a cult-like following and changed indoor cycling forever.
There is a newer version of this article that you might find interesting: Top 10 Free and Paid Indoor Cycling Apps for 2019 – and here is a video as well:
Currently, you can access Zwift via macOS, Windows, iPhone, or iPad. The company just released its Apple TV app today and is working on an Andoird version and expected to be released sometime next year.
The decision to raise the price to $15/month was justified by Zwift’s CEO Erin Min by pointing to recent expansions in the Zwift virtual world development efforts:
“The price increase reflects an improvement to infrastructure and an expansion of the Zwift experience, top to bottom. We’re rolling out new platforms (Apple TV and Android), new functions (group workouts, flexible training plans, running), and new worlds,” Min said.
Many Zwift users have taken to social media to voice their annoyance over the $5 price hike per month. The good news for current Zwift users, they have a full year to think about the fate of their avatar.
In case you decide to leave, or if you are just bored of Zwift’s virtual world and looking for something new, here are our top Zwift alternatives:
TRAINER ROAD ($12 USD/month or $99USD/year):
The battle between TrainerRoad and Zwift has been going on for years. Many cyclists try to run both concurrently or jump back and forth between the two.
TrainerRoad is only $3 per month cheaper than Zwift’s new price. But their $99/year makes it very attractive. TrainerRoad offers a huge library of power based cycling workouts. It’s like having a cycling or triathlon coach for $8 per month. Once you are setup and running with TrainerRoad, you will need to set your FTP (Functional Threshold Power). Then you can browse through hundreds of workouts or create your own via TrainerRoad Workout Creator. You can also follow one of their structured training plans to properly prepare for a cycling or triathlon event.
TrainerRoad offers training plans for road racers, triathletes, off-road, and cycling enthusiast and they come in low, mid, and high volume.
TrainerRoad is compatible with Windows, Mac, iPad, iPhone, and Android devices.
THE SUFFERFEST ($10 USD/month or $99 USD/year):
For less than $10 per month, you get unlimited access to a huge library of structured cycling, triathlon, and running workouts with exclusive footage of professional races, soundtracks, and fun engaging storylines. You can connect to your fitness devices and train to specific performance targets, like heart rate, power, and cadence. Also, Sufferfest recently introduced their Four-Dimensional Power (4DP)™ profiling that uses 4 key metrics to personalize your power targets.
Also, the monthly subscription includes 20 ‘Yoga for Cyclists’ videos to build core strength, improve flexibility, aid recovery, and prevent injury. On top of that, you get a 10-week Mental Training Programme of 20 audio modules and associated exercises.
The Sufferfest is compatible with Windows, Mac, iPad and iPhone devices.
ROUVY ($8-$12 USD/month or $120 USD/year):
If you like riding real courses, Rouvy might be what you need. Rouvy lets you ride anywhere in the world. You can either pick one of the available courses or upload your own GPX file. Rouby is $8/month for premium membership or $12/month for two additional family members.
Your subscription includes:
- Streaming access to hundreds of video routes or thousands of GPS profiles.
- Select a pacer to keep you on track or try out a new race strategy on your favorite course.
- Custom interval courses can also be created with targeted power outputs and each ride is shared with the Rouvy community so you can see how you stack up against other Rouvy users.
Rouvy is compatible with Windows, iPhone, iPad, and Android.
KINOMAP ($10 USD/month or $60 USD/year):
Kinomap gives you access to hundreds of fully geolocated videos created by the community or you can upload your own videos. However, if you are looking to do structured workouts, you will need to download Intervals by Kinomap. Intervals cost $25 UDS/year. With this subscription, you will be able to use their workout library or create your own workout. Export workouts to Strava any other applications.
Kinomap is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and Android.
Kinomap is compatible with most of the ANT+™, Bluetooth Smart (4.0) and some Wifi devices and sensors.
BKOOL SIMULATOR ($10 USD/month):
Bkool simulator offers real video routes, 3d routes, or just follow along on a map. You will also have access to a workout library, instructor-led workouts, velodrome, multiplayer, and leagues. You can also upload your own GPX file with or without a video to create your own route in 3D.
Bkool simulator is compatible with macOSX, iOS, Windows, and Android. It can connect to most smart trainers via ANT+ FE-C and control it to simulate routes or ERG mode workouts.
TACX TRAINING SOFTWARE (FREE – OPEN BETA)
Tacx just released a completely overhauled version of their training software and cloud-based platform. You will be able to create your own workout, or pick a workout from their training plan library that is specific to your goal. You will also have access to their large library of HD quality videos of real courses from around the world.
Tacx Software is currently in open beta, meaning you can download it and start using it now for free. Currently, it’s only available for Windows but a macOS version is coming next year.
All of the above applications offer a free trial so you can test them out and decide which one you like.
Do you know of other applications that you think worth trying out? Please let me and others know in the comment section below.
Thanks for reading!
I am a user of zwift and I do not agree with the increase of 50%
thanks for the info.
Miss Onelap
Onelap 3D virtual cycling App FREE $
RoadGrandTours
open Beta 3D virtual cycling App, This application promises a lot.
very good graphics
How do you get in their beta testing. I signed up but got this message:
Thank you!
We’ll review your details and contact you
when Road Grand Tours is compatible with your setup.
If you’ve used a valid activation code you can login right away.
I’ve been using the RGT app for a while and it has been decent, they suffer from not having a lot of people in the virtual worlds. Only relatively recently having added bots, who for my weak legs all seem a little quick. They’ve recently rolled out a stream of updates which have brought the mobile or ipad in as a control device. I’m still struggling with it as my phone suffers from connection loss in the garage where the computer is. Thanks
Just realised the date of this original post. Hope it still helps
Agree RoadGrandTours seems to be tge choice.
I’m a big fan of Rouvy. I use my trainer in the garage and so a TV or computer and monitor isn’t a particularly practical option. Rouvy works well on an Android tablet and offers a great amount of variety. In addition to what’s described here there are many workouts available. To keep things interesting there’s a career mode, which sets tasks for the user to complete, and there are challenges, which genuinely are challenging!
why couldn’t I find the app in play store?
There is a new app called Arcade Fitness for Android. It is both for indoor running and cycling, it belongs to fitness gamification as Zwift and is free to try (get it on the Google PlayStore).
If you want to race online in realtime, subscription is at 2.5$ per month
Feel free to give me your feedback!
My biggest problem with Zwift is they don’t offer a discounted annual fee. I don’t know many businesses that wouldn’t take more money annually and build loyalty with its costumers than risk only getting 4 to 6 months out of a lot of people who are budget conscious or just plain smart and don’t like to throw money away, and then have them not return the next winter because they went with the competition. I’m an outdoor rider or and indoor rider. I rarely mix the 2. Once it gets a little cool and the days get too short, I set up the trainer and I’m in that mode till April. Once I get back out there in the Spring, I’m in that mode. It seems they have decided to be like Apple I guess and assume everybody who’s anybody will go with and stick with them because after all, who else is there?
Why is that your biggest problem if you wouldn’t use it in the summer anyway? Your post makes no sense.
What an excellent list of “ride simulation” resources! Thank you very, very much!
Any plans on reviewing the Oreka O2 Trainer?
Take a look: https://www.orekatraining.com/
I would love to try the Oreka out but I don’t think they ship to the United States at this time.
This aged poorly. TrainerRoad is now 19.99 with 1 year at $189. Thats insane. Makes Zwift feel cheap at 14.99.
Never going to use an app that requires a recurring subscription. The “recurring fee” model is bleeding consumers dry and we have to stop normalizing it. I’m happy to pay a one-time fee for software/apps, and if that means I don’t get any updates, so be it.