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Fitness · head to head

PT Distinction vs Zwift

PT Distinction logo

PT Distinction

Fitness

Professional personal training software

From
$19.9/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Zwift logo

Zwift

Fitness

Game-like virtual cycling and running world that requires a smart trainer or compatible smart bike

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PT Distinction the $19.90 per month Basic plan includes only 3 clients, with each extra client costing $6.00 per month after the first month; Zwift it requires a smart trainer, smart bike or footpod, so the total cost includes hardware that can run into hundreds of dollars before the subscription starts.
  • They diverge on capability: PT Distinction covers Advanced programming, Zwift covers Persistent virtual world.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PT Distinction and Zwift actually diverge.

Attributes where PT Distinction and Zwift differ
AttributePT DistinctionZwift
Starting price$19.9/monthOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionPer user per month
PlatformsIos, Android, WebiOS, Android, Windows, macOS
Founded2014Unknown

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Fitness).

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 PT Distinction

  • Advanced programming
  • Client portal
  • Automation tools
  • Custom branding
  • Comprehensive tracking
  • MyFitnessPal
  • Apple Health
  • Stripe

Only in Zwift

  • Persistent virtual world
  • Group rides and races
  • Structured workouts
  • Avatar and social layer
  • Apple TV native support
  • Own hardware line

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

PT Distinction

  • Personal trainingnot Zwift
  • Fitness coachingnot Zwift
  • Wellness managementnot Zwift

Zwift

  • A cyclist who finds indoor trainer sessions boring and wants a social, game-like world to ride innot PT Distinction
  • A runner and cyclist who wants one subscription covering both activitiesnot PT Distinction
  • Someone motivated by group rides, races and leaderboards rather than a plain data screennot PT Distinction
  • A household with an Apple TV wanting to ride without a separate laptop or tablet setupnot PT Distinction

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

PT Distinction

  • The $19.90 per month Basic plan includes only 3 clients, with each extra client costing $6.00 per month after the first month
  • The per-extra-client rate falls with the plan, from $6.00 on Basic to $2.40 on Pro and $1.60 on Master, so smaller coaches pay the most per client
  • Custom branded iOS and Android apps require the Pro plan at $59.90 per month; Basic ships unbranded apps
  • There is no free plan; the entry point is a one-month free trial
  • Client counts included are 3, 25 and 50, so growing past a tier means either an upgrade or per-client overage

Zwift

  • It requires a smart trainer, smart bike or footpod, so the total cost includes hardware that can run into hundreds of dollars before the subscription starts.
  • Its game-like focus on avatars and social riding means the training structure is less rigorous than a purpose-built training tool like TrainerRoad.
  • Zwift now sells its own hardware, so buyers researching a trainer need to separate Zwift-branded gear from third-party options that also work with the platform.
  • The virtual world and graphics require reasonably capable hardware to run smoothly, unlike a data-only training app.
  • Races and group rides depend on other users being online at the same time, so value drops in off-peak hours or less popular time zones.

Pricing, plan by plan

PT Distinction

$19.9/month
  • Basic$19.9/month
    • 3 clients included
    • Extra clients at $6.00/month
    • All features included
  • Pro$59.9/month
    • 25 clients included
    • Extra clients at $2.40/month
    • All features included
  • Master$89.9/month
    • 50 clients included
    • Extra clients at $1.60/month
    • All features included

Zwift

On request
  • Zwift$19.99/month
    • Unlimited cycling and running in the virtual world
    • Group rides, races and structured workouts
  • Zwift Annual$199.99/year
    • Same features billed yearly

Which should you pick?

Choose PT Distinction if

  • You need advanced programming.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want client portal.
PT Distinction review

Choose Zwift if

  • You need persistent virtual world.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
  • You also want group rides and races.
Zwift review

Questions people ask

Is PT Distinction or Zwift better?
Neither clearly leads. PT Distinction starts at $19.9/month and Zwift at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PT Distinction or Zwift?
PT Distinction starts at $19.9/month and Zwift at On request.
Does PT Distinction or Zwift run on more platforms?
PT Distinction runs on Ios, Android, Web. Zwift runs on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS.
What is PT Distinction best used for?
PT Distinction is most often used for personal training, fitness coaching, wellness management. Of those, personal training and fitness coaching are not what Zwift is typically brought in for.
What can PT Distinction do that Zwift cannot?
PT Distinction covers Advanced programming, Client portal, Automation tools, Custom branding. Zwift covers Persistent virtual world, Group rides and races, Structured workouts, Avatar and social layer.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PT Distinction: How much does PT Distinction cost?

PT Distinction offers three tiers: Basic at $19.90/month (3 clients), Pro at $59.90/month (25 clients), and Master at $89.90/month (50 clients). Additional clients cost extra depending on tier.

Source
Zwift: Do I need special hardware to use Zwift?

Yes, cycling requires a smart trainer or Zwift-compatible smart bike, and running requires a footpod.

PT Distinction: What is included in PT Distinction plans?

All features are included in every tier with no hidden fees or extra costs. Tiers differ only in the number of included clients.

Source
Zwift: Does Zwift sell its own trainer?

It sells the Zwift Ride smart frame and Zwift Cog accessory, though third-party smart trainers also work with the platform.

PT Distinction: Does PT Distinction offer a free trial?

Yes, PT Distinction offers a one-month free trial that can be cancelled anytime without penalties or notice requirements.

Source
Zwift: How is it different from TrainerRoad?

Zwift is a game-like virtual world with social riding; TrainerRoad is a non-gamified structured training tool with no virtual world.

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