If you’re looking for the best cycling apps, there’s certainly no shortage on the market. And most likely, you’re familiar with options like Strava and the Peloton App. But, take it from me—an avid triathlete—that biking and cycling aren’t exactly the same thing. Those looking to improve their general fitness can experience great results from Peloton, for instance. But if you’re wanting to improve your functional threshold power (FTP), complete a several-hour-long Zone two ride, or even race other cyclists, Zwift is absolutely the way to go.
In this Zwift review, I’ll explain how the app works, what equipment you’ll need, and why this program (compared to other apps) will help you become a stronger, more powerful cyclist—on and off the road.
More Than One Hundred Zwift Workouts Completed
Our team at Garage Gym Reviews is full of fitness enthusiasts, certified personal trainers, USA weightlifting coaches, and former D1 athletes. It goes without saying, we know fitness. Where cycling is concerned, I’m certainly no stranger to everything and anything bike-related.
I’m a triathlete and, therefore, an avid cyclist, and have completed more than a hundred Zwift workouts. I’ve been fortunate enough to live in year-round warm weather for the past several years, so most of my riding experience is on the road, in the real world. But, as I recently moved to Chicago and am in Ironman training, I’m going to rely a lot more on the app to get me through hours-long rides in the winter.
A Quick Look at the Zwift App
For those who have never tried Zwift before, it’s a pretty unique workout app—really, it’s more of an experience. Before you download, read on to learn about the equipment you’ll need to actually use the Zwift companion app to its fullest extent.
You can download the Zwift app from the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Once downloaded, you can sign up for a free trial to get a taste of what to expect. After that 14-day trial is up, you can opt for an annual membership ($199.99 plus tax) or monthly renewal ($19.99/month plus tax).
In order to use the app, you’ll need both a bike trainer and a compatible bicycle (more on that below). From there, you connect your trainer to the program via Bluetooth and choose from one of Zwift’s virtual maps for a free ride. Or, you can try one of their pre-made workout programs.
While Zwift is best-known for indoor cycling, you can also connect the app to your treadmill and run on the courses instead. Personally, I haven’t used the app for running but know plenty of triathletes (professionals included) who use the app for running, too.
Before You Buy
- Not sure if this is the right app for your goals? Start with the two-week free trial before you commit.
- You do need an indoor trainer to cycle with this app, which can be a big additional expense. If you’re a first-time cyclist, I recommend Facebook marketplace or a used bike shop.
- If you really want to simulate hills and mountain climbing on your bike, make sure you have erg mode turned on in your settings.
- If you’re planning to do a long ride, stream the app on your Apple TV (or any larger screen) for a more enjoyable experience.
- Buy yourself a small fan to keep in front of your handlebars — you’ll thank me later.
Is the Zwift App Worth It?
Although I’m a huge Zwift fan, it’s not ideal for every athlete. Here’s my honest opinion on who should and shouldn’t invest in this app (and the additional equipment needed):
Great for:
- Cyclists looking to simulate outdoor riding inside
- Athletes looking to improve their biking performance with more metrics
- Beginner cyclists looking to build their base fitness
- Cyclists (whether you prefer mountain, road, or gravel biking) who live in a not-so-temperate climate
Not recommended for:
- Athletes who want instructor-led classes
- Those who don’t own a bike/trainer or don’t want to invest in added equipment
- Athletes who want a seamless set up
Zwift App Specs
| Price | $199.99/year or $19.99/month |
| Free Trial | 14 days |
| Types of Workouts Available | Cycling and running |
| Third-Party Compatibility | TrainerRoad, TrainingPeaks, TriDot, Xert, Garmin, Strava, MAPMYFITNESS, ZwiftPower, and more |
Workout Experience: Zwift Setup and Ease of Use
In case it isn’t totally apparent, I’m a Zwift lover and I would give the app an overall 4-out-of-5 rating. But let’s dive into the nitty gritty because Zwift is so much more than it seems.
After downloading the app, you can connect your bike trainer (personally, I own the Zwift hub, but you can also opt for the Zwift Ride, which requires zero set up) and any heart rate monitors or fitness trackers. Setting up the app and creating a profile is a breeze, earning this process a 5 out of 5. Unfortunately, if you don’t have a bike trainer, that is an added expense and can run anywhere from $500 to $1,000+. That said, you can always opt for a refurbished trainer or look around Facebook Marketplace.
Bike Trainers I Recommend
Unless you opt for a trainer with a built-in smart bike, you’ll also need your own bicycle, so I have to give the app’s equipment demands a 3.5-out-of-5 rating. That said, you don’t need to go and spend thousands on one of the best mountain bikes or road bikes (though, a bike will be the best purchase of your life, I promise). Luckily, Zwift is also compatible with most 8- to 12-speed bikes, so even older, used options will likely work.
Hooking your bike up to a new trainer isn’t the simplest process, though using the app itself is a breeze, earning the ease of use a 4.5 out of 5. You have to buy a cassette for your trainer that’s compatible with your bike. Then, you need to learn how to take the rear wheel off your bike (this process varies if you have a thru-axle or quick release) and attach the chain to the trainer cassette. My recommendation: YouTube is your friend! Once you learn this process once, it becomes super simple.
From there, you’re ready to ride on!
Pricing and Trial Period
Zwift offers a 14-day free trial period, though you do have to enter your credit card information to access the trial. After your trial is up, Zwift will automatically charge your credit card and renew your membership. However, the program will tell you when your trial is near expiration, giving you plenty of time to cancel the membership if you’re not thrilled. Given this hard-to-miss warning, Zwift earns a 4.5 out of 5 in the trial category.
The app offers two membership options, including a renewal rate of $19.99 per month or an annual cost of $199.99. For pricing, I had to give Zwift a 3 out of 5, as most affordable workout apps are as cheap as $10 per month. However, compared to similar competitors, Zwift is pretty on par where cost is concerned.
Trainer Instruction
Unlike some other popular workout apps, Zwift doesn’t really have any trainer instruction built into the program, earning a 2 out of 5 in this category. There are no live workouts or instructor-led sessions in the existing workout library.
That said, you can upload any workouts your personal trainers or coaches build (more on that below). However, this doesn’t apply to every athlete. As someone who strongly dislikes trainer-led workouts, this doesn’t bother me at all. Zwift does offer instructions during the workout, telling you to increase your power or pedal slower during different intervals. These messages pop out on the screen, so you don’t have to worry about connecting your headphones to the app while training.
Workout Variety and Progression
Like running on a treadmill, indoor training isn’t always the most fun. Though, I will say, Zwift does a great job of bringing outdoor rides into your home, thanks to its video game-style design. The app’s workout variety earns a 5 out of 5. There are two primary types of workout categories on Zwift: You can free ride or select a workout from the workout library.
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Free riding is great for anyone who wants to get their legs spinning and simulate outdoor riding. Zwift has dozens of route options in Watopia (Zwift’s fictional world) to choose from. You can also see the route’s distance and elevation, which is the most fascinating thing about the app. If you choose a route with thousands of feet in elevation, your smart trainer will actually create resistance to make it feel as if you’re climbing the mountain. From there, it’s up to you to play with your shifters to find a sustainable power and cadence.
Zwift also has a workout library for more tailored training. You can choose a workout based on time constraints (30 minutes, 30 to 60 minutes, 60 to 90 minutes, 90+ minutes) or your training focus (recovery, endurance, threshold, VO2 max, time trial, etc). You can also build your own training plans, giving you full freedom to control your workouts.
I’d rate the progression a 5 out of 5. Zwift offers several-week-long workout plans or training camps to help you improve your cycling over time (aka progressive overload). I also love that these training camps change with the season, so there’s plenty of variety. In general, Zwift builds new programs and plans pretty frequently, so your development won’t stagnate.
Personally, I work with a triathlon coach who builds my cycling workouts. Since Zwift is compatible with Training Peaks (the app my coach uses to build all of my run, swim, and bike workouts), Zwift automatically uploads my session for that day. After I complete the workout, my coach can view all of my results.
Metrics
Many athletes love Zwift for metric tracking. While cycling outdoors can give you the best race-like experience, it can be challenging to build fitness on the road, depending on where you live. Personally, I do all of my interval-style workouts in Zwift’s virtual world. That way, I can focus on hitting my goal times, watts, and heart rate without worrying about stopping for pedestrians or cars. All of my longer endurance rides, I’ll take outdoors.
While you’re cycling you can track several metrics, including your watts, distance, time, calories burned, heart rate, and cadence. Without a power meter on your bike (another expensive cycling accessory), there’s no way to track your watt output on the road. But when you’re indoor riding with Zwift, you can see the numbers in real time.
Accountability and Community
Whereas most workout apps build accountability with built-in personal trainers, this doesn’t apply for Zwift. There’s no option to work with a coach built into the app, so the discipline does land on your own shoulders, earning the app a 2.5 out of 5 for accountability. However, Zwift does incentivize consistent cycling by rewarding you with XP (experience) points whenever you have a biking streak. You can use these points to unlock new bikes, kits, or accessories for your avatar.
The app also promotes accountability through community, which I love. Alongside workout options, you can opt to go on group rides, compete in races, or join limited-time events. These are just a few of the fun, community-oriented activities the app offers, earning the community aspect a 5-out-of-5 rating. Whenever you use the app, you’re cycling with real people across the world who are also in that same route or activity. You can send messages or send other Zwifters a thumbs up.
I also appreciate that Zwift prioritizes inclusivity as much as possible. When you first create your account, you’re prompted to build an avatar that represents you while you’re riding. The app also offers a handcycle option both as an avatar and compatible bike to offer adaptive athletes representation.
Not to mention, Zwift also heavily invests in women’s cycling. The brand is the title sponsor of the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift and the Paris Roubaix Femmes race, to promote women’s cycling. Plus, Zwift actively supports the LGBTQIA+ community through events, donations, and Pride events.
As a pricey and largely male-dominated sport, cycling can be pretty exclusive. I love Zwift’s commitment to making cycling as accessible as possible.
Zwift vs Peloton
As much as I love Zwift, I recognize it’s not the best option for every athlete. For fitness-focused folks, I think Peloton is a much more suitable option. But, if you’re looking to make cycling a hobby, Zwift is the way to go.
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| Programming: | Zwift | Peloton |
| Price: | $199.99 per year $19.99 per month | Starting at $154.80 per year Starting at $12.99 per month |
| Number of Users: | ~1 million active subscribers | ~3 million connected fitness subscribers |
| Types of Training: | Cycling and Running | Biking, running, walking, strength, meditation, cardio, stretching, yoga, outdoor activities |
While Peloton is probably the closest competitor app, pitting the two against one another isn’t really an even comparison. The platforms don’t exactly work the same and the necessary equipment is pretty different, making it hard to compare cost. While the Peloton bike costs roughly $1,445, nailing down a true Zwift cost is tough, as it depends on the bike and trainer you decide to buy. Plus, the in-game experience is totally different; Peloton focuses on instructor-led courses, while Zwift is pretty independent.
Customer Service
Personally, I haven’t had to contact Zwift customer service, though canceling your membership is pretty easy. You can cancel right on your phone or contact their email support through their Support Request page. The company also has an FAQs page and a Zwift forum for riders to ask questions amongst themselves.
Customer Reviews
On the Apple App Store, the Zwift app has an average score of 4.7 stars out of 5 with more than 20,000 ratings. Needless to say, Zwift users are pretty big fans of the well-built, easy-to-use app. Most reviews point out the superior indoor cycling experience, though they do note that it’s not the absolute best running app on the market.
Final Verdict of Our Zwift Review
I can’t say enough positive things about the Zwift app. I know it’s not the best option for all athletes, but for those looking to become stronger cyclists or first-timers who want to dip their toes into a new hobby, it’s a great way to go. If anything, give the 14-day free trial a test, though I’m pretty certain you’ll hit ‘“subscribe.”
- Zwift focuses on building your strength and skill, helping you become a better cyclist on and off the road.
- The app offers workout programs based on your personal cycling goals.
- Zwift is easy to use, though the equipment demands and set-up process aren’t the most seamless.
- The 14-day free trial offers plenty of time to experience the app before you commit to a membership.
Full Rating
Zwift
Zwift brings indoor cardio training to life with virtual worlds, competitive workouts, and real-time data tracking. While it requires a monthly fee and smart equipment, its engaging platform is perfect for cyclists and runners who want to elevate at-home training.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 19.99
Product In-Stock: InStock
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Zwift Review FAQs
Is Zwift worth it?
In my opinion, yes! But this depends on what you’re looking to achieve. For cyclists, I definitely recommend adding Zwift to your training routine. If you’re uncertain, though, start with the free trial.
Which is better, Peloton or Zwift?
This depends on your fitness goals, as the apps are pretty different, though they both involve an indoor bike. For those looking to try or improve their cycling skills, Zwift is more suitable. Athletes looking for a general fitness app are likely to prefer Peloton.
Are Zwift workouts effective?
Absolutely! Whether you’re doing a free ride or performing a workout from the library, you can definitely build your endurance and power using Zwift. Don’t expect a spike in your FTP overnight but with consistency, you can absolutely improve, speaking from personal experience.
