Fitness & Wellness · head to head
Apple Fitness+ vs Hydrow
Apple Fitness+
Fitness & Wellness
Guided workouts powered by Apple Watch
- From
- $9.99/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Apple Fitness+ restricted to Apple ecosystem, not compatible with Android devices or non-Apple platforms; Hydrow the vendor's own homepage as captured by the Internet Archive on 31 December 2021 priced the Hydrow rowing machine starting at $56 per month via 0% APR Klarna financing with $0 down, alongside a 30 day risk-free trial and a 1 year hardware warranty
- They diverge on capability: Apple Fitness+ covers Studio-style workouts, Hydrow covers Live outdoor reality rowing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Apple Fitness+ and Hydrow actually diverge.
| Attribute | Apple Fitness+ | Hydrow |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9.99/month | $44/month |
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Platforms | iOS, iPadOS, tvOS | Ios, Android, Hardware |
| Founded | 1976 | 2017 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Fitness & Wellness).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Apple Fitness+
- Studio-style workouts
- Real-time Apple Watch metrics
- Personalized recommendations
- Time to Walk
- Meditation sessions
- Apple Music
- Health app
- SharePlay
Only in Hydrow
- Live outdoor reality rowing
- On-water filming
- Athlete-led workouts
- Performance metrics
- Community racing
- Bluetooth heart rate
- Android support
- Hardware support
Both cover
- Apple Watch
- Ios support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Apple Fitness+
- Workout tracking
- Nutrition management
- Health monitoring
- Fitness coaching
- Wellness improvement
Hydrow
- Workout tracking
- Nutrition management
- Health monitoring
- Fitness coaching
- Wellness improvement
Both are used for workout tracking, nutrition management, health monitoring, fitness coaching, wellness improvement, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Apple Fitness+
- Restricted to Apple ecosystem, not compatible with Android devices or non-Apple platforms
- Apple Watch is required for optimal functionality and metrics tracking
- No live sessions available, only prerecorded on-demand videos
- Limited Mac support with streaming from iPhone or iPad required
- Simplified approach puts limitations compared to specialized or comprehensive fitness apps
Hydrow
- The vendor's own homepage as captured by the Internet Archive on 31 December 2021 priced the Hydrow rowing machine starting at $56 per month via 0% APR Klarna financing with $0 down, alongside a 30 day risk-free trial and a 1 year hardware warranty
Pricing, plan by plan
Apple Fitness+
$9.99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Apple Fitness+ review.
Hydrow
$44/month- All-Access$44/month
- Live workouts
- On-demand library
- Family profiles
Which should you pick?
Choose Apple Fitness+ if
- You need studio-style workouts.
- You work on iOS, iPadOS, tvOS.
- You also want real-time apple watch metrics.
Choose Hydrow if
- You need live outdoor reality rowing.
- You work on Ios, Android, Hardware.
- You also want on-water filming.
Questions people ask
- Is Apple Fitness+ or Hydrow better?
- Neither clearly leads. Apple Fitness+ starts at $9.99/month and Hydrow at $44/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Apple Fitness+ or Hydrow?
- Apple Fitness+ starts at $9.99/month and Hydrow at $44/month.
- Does Apple Fitness+ or Hydrow run on more platforms?
- Apple Fitness+ runs on iOS, iPadOS, tvOS. Hydrow runs on Ios, Android, Hardware.
- What is Apple Fitness+ best used for?
- Apple Fitness+ is most often used for workout tracking, nutrition management, health monitoring, fitness coaching.
- What can Apple Fitness+ do that Hydrow cannot?
- Apple Fitness+ covers Studio-style workouts, Real-time Apple Watch metrics, Personalized recommendations, Time to Walk. Hydrow covers Live outdoor reality rowing, On-water filming, Athlete-led workouts, Performance metrics. Both handle Apple Watch, Ios support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Apple Fitness+: How much does Apple Fitness Plus cost?
Apple Fitness Plus costs $9.99/month or $79.99/year in the US. New subscribers may be eligible for a free trial with the purchase of select Apple devices.
SourceApple Fitness+: Can you share Apple Fitness Plus with family?
Yes, Apple Fitness Plus features Family Sharing compatibility, allowing you to share your subscription with up to five family members at no additional cost.
SourceApple Fitness+: What workout types does Apple Fitness Plus offer?
Apple Fitness Plus supports a wide range of workout types including strength training, yoga, HIIT, cycling, dance, and mindful cooldowns with curated music playlists.
SourceApple Fitness+: Does Apple Fitness Plus integrate with Apple Music?
Yes, one of the strongest features is Apple Music integration, with workouts synced to curated playlists that match pace and intensity.
SourceApple Fitness+: What devices are required to use Apple Fitness Plus?
Apple Fitness Plus requires an Apple device such as iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV. An Apple Watch is more or less mandatory for optimal use and metrics tracking.
Source