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Zwift and Peloton are the biggest names in the game indoor cyclingbut they are certainly not the only options.
For me, Peloton is too expensive, and some may think Zwift is too expensive. Although I use it, my Zwift membership is more expensive than my full gym membership.
My partner only uses Zwift once or twice a month, so just £13 for her is overkill.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many cheaper options on the market, but there are plenty of trials out there. I think Zwift’s extensive features make it worth the money, but you may find that you prefer one of the other apps.
Free Indoor Cycling App
RGT bike
- Free option
- Premium plan for $10 per month includes amazing roads, enhanced training features, group rides, races, access to 12 real roads
- Available for: Windows, Mac OS, iPad, Apple TV. Requires an iPhone or Android device as a controller.
- Connectivity options: Bluetooth and ANT+ FE-C
RGT Cycling is currently the best option for free apps. The free account has a very limited range of features, but in general, it’s more than enough for anyone who wants to try indoor cycling for a while or occasionally train indoors.
As a free member, you can:
- Ride select RGT real roads
- Enjoy a range of structured FTP-based workouts
- Take part in official RGT team rides and races
- Access to public community group rides and races
tactical training
I should note that Tacx Training also has some free features. Under the free version, you have:
- Structured workouts based on incline, strength or FTP
- Analyze your activity with Garmin Connect
- Export your data to Garmin Connect
- Sync your workouts and activities across devices
For any high-quality video workouts, you’ll need a premium account.
Indoor Cycling App Free Trial
Almost all apps have free trials. If you’re new to indoor training, it’s worth going through all the apps to try each one out and get a few weeks/months of free riding.
- Zwift: 15-day trial
- Rouvy: 14-day trial period
- Fulgaz: 14-day trial period
- Trainer Road: 30-day money-back guarantee
- SYSTM / Sufferfest: 14-day trial
- VeloPro: 30-day trial
- RGT: 14-day free premium trial
Pay for Indoor Cycling Apps
Zwift
- Price: £12.99/month
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Apple TV
Zwift is by far the most popular indoor cycling app. Unlike other apps, Zwift uses a virtual world rather than real-life footage, and there is extensive gamification within the app. As you ride, you collect drops, which can then be used to buy new bikes, wheels, and clothing.
There are a variety of riding styles and Zwift, including:
- Ride Free – You can ride freely at your own pace. Then on the course route, you can try to win the jersey on the timed segment. These are usually short sprints or longer hilly KOMs. Many times a route has at least one sprint and one KOM.
- Races – You can race against other drivers in real time, and you can choose to compete in different categories based on your level. It’s a deeply flawed system, full of cheats, but using zwiftpower.com to get the results will eliminate any misclassified riders.
- Group Rides – Just like a race, you can ride in groups in real-time. These are intended for more casual or longer rides.
- Structured workouts (group and solo) – You can create your own workouts or follow the extensive Zwift workouts. Many claim this is one of Zwift’s weaker elements, and the app often expects you to perform weird low-intensity segmentation. For example, it requires me to do 90rpm at 120w even though my FTP is over 300w. With such low power, I had a hard time spinning my legs so fast.
Zwift also has a run function that works with some treadmills or Various accessories. However, this is free to use.
Zwift does have a lot of annoying issues, and it’s not always the best platform. However, the large user base and wide range of riding options make it the most attractive solution on this list.
Rubi
- Price: $15 a month or $144 a year ($12)
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Apple TV.
Rouvy doesn’t have UK pricing, same EU/USD price. So if you have a card that converts money perfectly, it’s better to go with the US dollar.
Many features are similar to Zwift. However, Rouvy has 15,000 kilometers of enhanced routes at iconic riding locations like Passo dello Stelvio, Col du Tourmalet, Kona and more.
Similar to Zwift, you ride to collect coins and upgrade your equipment.It also allows you to race and complete over 30 challenges in real time
One advantage of Rouvy is that it allows multiple users in the house. As mentioned before, it makes no sense to have two Zwift accounts at our house when my partner only rides a few times a month.
Furghaz
- Price: £9.99 per month or £85.99 per year
- Compatibility: Android, Apple TV, iPad, iPhone and Windows 10.
Fulgaz is another app that uses real-world footage, which is its main selling point. They have over 1200+ real life video bike rides to choose from for a variety of terrains. You can sync your workouts directly from TrainingPeaks or today’s plan, or import your own workout files and use them with any FulGaz ride.
You can also create private group rides and races with friends.
Coach Road
- Price: £12.99/month
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Apple TV.
TrainerRoad is the first app on the list that focuses on structured workouts rather than immersive environments. It’s a popular option for those who want serious, structured training, with programs available for general road cycling, triathlon, mountain bike, gravel, and motocross.
It uses machine learning, science-based guidelines and unprecedented datasets to personalize your training in response to your performance and adjust your schedule.
Wahoo SYSTM / Suffer
- Price: $14.99 pcm or $129 per year
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android
Last year Wahoo incorporated the popular Sufferfest into their new SYSTM. You still have all the popular Sufferfest videos, but now with an expanded set of features and a wider range of structured workouts. You can also take part in a variety of strength training, mental training and yoga classes.
VeloPro
- Price: $10 or $27 per quarter
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Apple TV.
VeloPro creates a professional training plan based on your event goals and schedule. Programs cover road, gravel, mountain and trail.
It uses AI to dynamically optimize your plan as you train to keep you on track.
RGT
- Price: $10/month premium
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Apple TV.
I’ve covered RGT in the free section. With the $10/month Premium plan, you’ll get access to 12 real roads including amazing roads, enhanced training features, organized group rides, organized races.
