Indoor cycling is gaining more and more popularity. It is not only ideal for bad weather conditions, but also a great way to train and race from home. Three major players dominate the market: Zwift, Rouvy, and MyWhoosh. However, there are also alternatives worth considering.
In this comprehensive guide, we compare the three most well-known platforms and highlight other options for indoor cycling enthusiasts.
Zwift 🌍: The Virtual World of Cyclists
Zwift is a pioneer in the world of indoor cycling. It combines a game-like interface with extensive training options and an active community. Ride through virtual landscapes like Watopia, London, and Paris, and race against others from around the world.
✅ Benefits of Zwift
- Large community: Always someone to ride with.
- Versatile training: Suitable for beginners and professionals.
- Gamification: Collect XP and unlock new gear.
❌ Disadvantages of Zwift
- Pricey: €19.99 per month after a 14-day trial period.
- No realistic images: Visually less realistic compared to other apps.
- Internet required: You cannot use the app without a connection.
Rouvy 🚵♀️: The Realistic Route Simulator
Rouvy offers a unique experience by combining realistic video footage of real routes with augmented reality. Think of Alpe d'Huez, the Italian Dolomites, or the coastline of California. Ideal for those who prefer realistic visuals.
✅ Benefits of Rouvy
- Realistic routes!! Ride on real roads without leaving your home.
- Many route options: So many fun routes to explore together!
- Gamification: Challenges and rewards keep you motivated.
❌ Disadvantages of Rouvy
- Smaller social network: Fewer users than on Zwift.
- Dependent on the website: Some settings are only available through the website. The app is not the most user-friendly, requires frequent large updates, etc.
- Quite pricey as well:
- Single Plan: €12.42/month (annual payment = 16% discount).
- Duo Plan: €16.58/month for 2 accounts (annual payment = 16% discount).
- Group Plan: €27.42/month for up to 5 accounts (annual payment = 16% discount).
MyWhoosh 🚴♀️: The Free Challenger
Are you looking for a free alternative? MyWhoosh is the only platform (as far as we know) that is completely free and still offers impressive features. Carefully designed and animated virtual environments. From a day/night mode to even a running option: MyWhoosh has it a lot of functions.
✅ Benefits of MyWhoosh
- Free!!: No costs, no hidden agenda, as far as we know... (?)
- Coach-led training schedules: Live and on-demand sessions.
- Global routes: Including famous locations and challenging courses.
- Offline mode: Ideal if your internet goes down.
- Running mode: Perfect for runners looking for a free option.
- Steering function: Choose your position on the road while cycling. We have not been able to test this ourselves.
❌ Disadvantages van MyWhoosh
- Still in development: Occasionally crashes on certain devices. I personally have not experienced this so far, thankfully!
- Smaller community: Fewer users than Zwift. We don't find this too concerning, there is still always enough competition. The number of users is also increasing significantly, we notice!
Other Alternatives
In addition to Zwift, Rouvy, and MyWhoosh, there are other platforms worth considering. Here’s a quick look:
- TrainerRoad 🚴♂️: Focused on structured training with an emphasis on performance improvement. Perfect for serious cyclists, but no visual routes.
- Wahoo X (before The Sufferfest) 💪: Combines intense workouts with inspiring videos and yoga sessions. Ideal for those looking for more than just cycling.
- Bkool 🌍: A mix of Video Routes and 3D Routes with a strong focus on personal training.
- FulGaz 🚵: Offers crystal-clear videos of real routes, but has a smaller number of users.
🔍Comparison
Zwift | Rouvy | MyWhoosh | |
|---|---|---|---|
Pricing | €19,99/month | From 12,42 €/m (annual payment) | Free |
Beelden | Virtual | Realistic | Virtual, with recognizable realistic elements here and there |
Community | 🚴♂️🚴🚴♂️🚴🚴♂️🚴 | 🚴♂️🚴🚴♂️🚴 | 🚴♂️🚴 |
Unique Features | Gamification Running mode | Almost like riding outside ;-) Challenges | Offline mode Running mode |
Main advantage | Large community | Realistic routes | Free! |
Main disadvantage | No realistic images | Usability of the app | Smaller social network |
What else do you need?
Indoor training is an effective way to stay fit, regardless of the weather. With the right setup, you can get the most out of your workouts:
Essential equipment
🚲 Smart trainer (and a bike of course) – Choose between direct drive (more realistic, quieter) or wheel-on (more affordable, easier to store). Check compatibility with your bike and favorite app. Some options:
- Budget (wheel-on): Tacx Flow Smart (from €257,00)
- Medium (direct drive): Tacx Flux S Smart (from €699,00) --> We use this! Review maybe later 😉
- High end (direct drive, almost pro we would say): Wahoo Kickr 6.0 (from €999,00)
OR a real "Smart indoor bike (click on this link to see some examples)"!
📺 Screen (one or more) – A laptop, tablet, or PC provides the best experience. An extra device can be handy for music or statistics.
📡 Stable connection (not required for MyWhoosh because of the offline mode)
Comfort & motivation
Floor mat – Protects your floor and dampens vibrations.
🎧 Music & entertainment – Spotify, YouTube, or podcasts keep you motivated.
💦 Water bottle & fan – Prevent overheating and stay hydrated.
🖥️ A table or stand - Not required, but actually very handy for all of the gear above!
🏆 Conclusion and Recommendation
Each platform has unique strengths.
- Are you a beginner, budget-conscious, or do you just not ride often? Choose MyWhoosh.
- Do you love realistic visuals? Go for Rouvy or FulGaz.
- Are you looking for a vibrant community? Zwift is probably the best choice.
- Are you performance-oriented? TrainerRoad offers everything you need.
Whichever app you choose, the most important thing is that you have fun and stay motivated. Indoor training is still not the same as outdoor cycling. You miss the fresh air, the variety, the “exploring” of the world, and so much more. On the other hand, indoor cycling does offer the opportunity to virtually explore other (very distant) places, and most apps also provide a competitive aspect. Many people look for motivation by competing with other cyclists, and that can happen all over the world.
We wonder what else is possible in terms of “gamification.” It seems to us that this is still largely uncharted territory for all apps. We wouldn’t be surprised if we see many of these kinds of extras added to all popular indoor cycling apps in the coming years. Or who knows, another competitor might emerge that focuses on this! Free business idea, here you go, you’re welcome!
🚲 Good luck with your indoor cycling training! 🌟