Best indoor cycling apps for winter: Zwift and its alternatives compared

There is no single best indoor cycling app. The seven platforms most riders compare (Zwift, Rouvy, TrainerRoad, MyWhoosh, Wahoo SYSTM, TrainingPeaks Virtual and Kinomap) are built for different jobs and differ on price, devices and virtual shifting. Picking one mostly comes down to what you want to stare at for an hour: a game world, a filmed road or a power graph. We added FulGaz because it is a real-video platform in the same group as Rouvy. BKool is gone (bkool.com redirects to rouvy.com), and indieVelo is now TrainingPeaks Virtual.

Prices at a glance (US pricing pages, 4 October 2026)

Conditions that go with those numbers:

• Zwift: "Billed as $199.99 +tax once a year." Its FAQ: "No. Annual memberships do not come with a free trial. If you have not subscribed to Zwift before, you can cancel your membership within 30 days for a refund."
• Rouvy: "All ROUVY subscription plans begin with a free, 7-day trial, then are billed at the full monthly or yearly price." Duo (2 riders) is USD 29.99 a month or USD 249.99 a year; Group (up to 5 riders) USD 59.99 or USD 499.99. The pricing FAQ adds: "For simplicity, our prices are in USD or EURO but payments are automatically converted and you will be billed in your local currency."
• Wahoo: annual billing is only offered on Wahoo's website and account portal, not as an in-app purchase.
• TrainingPeaks: "USD, Billed Annually, $134.99/Year"; a quarterly plan is "USD, Billed Quarterly, $49.00/Quarter".
• Kinomap: a five-year plan is $359.00 (359,00€), and a family option adds "Up to 4 additional users for $8.00/month". Euro prices (in brackets) come from Kinomap's own currency switch.
• FulGaz: annual is a "Recurring annual payment of US$125.99" and, per FulGaz, includes a free account for a second family member. FulGaz's homepage showed the same US connection Australian dollars (A$21.99 a month, or A$14.99 a month billed annually).

Zwift's UK and EU pricing pages also showed US dollars to our US connection, so we have no pound or euro prices for Zwift.

Comparison: devices and virtual shifting

For trainer choice first, see our smart trainer buying guide and the Zwift Cog compatible trainers list.

Zwift: racing, group rides and game worlds

Zwift's pricing page lists "All virtual worlds, routes & events" and "Access on PC, Mac, iOS, Android, Apple TV". Its support says: "To start a paid membership, you'll enter billing details during setup."

Virtual shifting is Zwift's own system. Zwift: "Zwift Ready trainers include a pre-installed Zwift Cog and Zwift Click and support Zwift's virtual shifting." Its pairing article adds: "To use virtual shifting, your trainer must connect over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (not ANT+). ANT+ can still be used for standard trainer control."

Rouvy: real-route video, now owned by Zwift

Rouvy is built around filmed real roads. Zwift announced on 29 April 2026 that it had completed the acquisition of Rouvy and that Zwift Ready trainers and Zwift Ride smart frames now work with Rouvy. Zwift: "Both Zwift and ROUVY will continue to operate independently, with differentiated roadmaps and subscription packages."

Rouvy: "ROUVY is fully compatible with both versions of Zwift Click (V1 and V2). However, Zwift Play is not supported." Its virtual shifting FAQ lists trainers from Wahoo, Elite, Tacx (Neo 3M), JetBlack and Van Rysel. After the trial, the free account allows "20 km / month". On payment: "Yes, all you need is an indoor trainer, an internet connection and a credit card to set up an account."

BKool. Rouvy bought BKool, closed its app and stopped new sign-ups. Two Rouvy pages give different dates. Rouvy's support article: "The BKOOL app was retired on 30 November 2025." Rouvy's BKool page: "The BKOOL indoor cycling app was retired in March 2026."

TrainerRoad: structured, adaptive training

TrainerRoad sells training plans, not a virtual world: "Structured cycling training available for iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS." Instead of a free trial it shows "30-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime." It says its workouts can also run inside Zwift.

On trainers: "If you see that a trainer or other device is marked as "Bluetooth Smart" or "ANT+ FE-C", it should be compatible with TrainerRoad." In ERG mode, TrainerRoad says, the app sets resistance and there is no need to shift. We found no TrainerRoad statement on virtual shifting or Zwift Click support.

MyWhoosh: free, with racing and its own shifting

MyWhoosh: "No. Currently, MyWhoosh is a free-to-play cycling app." A separate page: "A subscription increases your available slot credits, allowing you to create more custom workouts and training plans." We found no price for that subscription.

MyShift is MyWhoosh's own virtual shifting: "There are 30 virtual gears to choose from in MyShift." And: "MyShift is compatible with all single-cog trainers, which are trainers that come with only one gear." A speed-sensor mode allows free riding without a smart trainer. MyWhoosh does not name the Zwift Click on the pages we checked; its 5.8.0 notes mention better connectivity for BikeControl, a separate third-party app, on Windows.

Wahoo SYSTM: video workouts and cross-training

SYSTM is now part of the Wahoo App's Pro tier. Wahoo: "Pro, at $17.99 a month or $179.99 a year, USD before tax. The Core tier covers metrics and route simulation in the Wahoo App but does not include SYSTM." It covers cycling, running, strength, yoga and swimming, and "SYSTM controls any standard smart trainer over Bluetooth or ANT+ and pairs with third-party heart rate monitors and power meters." Platforms: "SYSTM is available for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android."

Wahoo's virtual shifting article: "Virtual shifting with Zwift controllers is currently not available with other ride simulation apps." That leaves Zwift and Rouvy; for the KICKR CORE 2, Wahoo lists firmware "2.2.44 or 3.2.44 or later". Wahoo's smart bikes have their own system: "No, unlike simulated shifting available on the KICKR BIKE or KICKR BIKE SHIFT, the 24 "gears" of virtual shifting are configured as a linear progression without the option for customization." For cassette riders, Wahoo adds: "You can use virtual shifting with a cassette, and ensure you are able to use physical shifting with level mode in other apps like SYSTM." The CORE 2 is covered in our KICKR CORE 2 vs Van Rysel D500 guide.

Trial wording differs. Wahoo's app FAQ: "Yes, 14 days with full Pro access regardless of which tier you sign up for." The SYSTM page's own FAQ agrees: "The 14-day free trial includes full Pro access, so you can try SYSTM before committing." But the button on that same page reads: "14 day free trial, then $4.99/month. Cancel anytime." That is the Core price, and Core does not include SYSTM. Check which tier you are on before the trial ends.

TrainingPeaks Virtual: for TrainingPeaks users

TrainingPeaks bought indieVelo in October 2024 and renamed it TrainingPeaks Virtual. "TrainingPeaks Virtual is included with any TrainingPeaks Premium subscription." Premium has a 14-day free trial. Features include group rides, races, drafting and GPXplore for loading your own course.

Devices: "TrainingPeaks Virtual is compatible with a wide range of trainers and devices, including: Bluetooth FTMS, Wahoo, Tacx, ANT+, and Direct Connect WiFi." It runs on Windows 10 64-bit, macOS 11 or later, mobile devices (3.5 GB RAM recommended) and, as a beta, Apple TV.

Its own virtual gearing: "This control acts as a virtual cassette, allowing you to increase/decrease the resistance as you ride without shifting physical gears." On Zwift hardware: "Please note, Zwift controllers are not compatible devices as they are proprietary to Zwift." It does support BikeControl for gamepads, handlebar controllers and smart-bike buttons.

Kinomap: real video on a budget, for more than bikes

Kinomap covers bikes, treadmills, ellipticals and rowers, and says it has more than 40,000 real-life training videos. It runs on phones and tablets, with an Android APK for devices without Google Play. Its Apple TV app is scenic videos only, with limited equipment and no extra sensors.

Kinomap says any equipment using the Bluetooth FTMS protocol is automatically compatible. ANT+ works on Android with a built-in chipset or a dongle plus ANT+ services. We found no Kinomap statement on virtual shifting or Zwift Click support.

FulGaz: real video, same group as Rouvy

FulGaz lists "2,000+ real world rides from over 60 countries, created by real people". Rouvy's press page: "ROUVY is part of The ROUVY Group, which includes the ROUVY and FulGaz platforms." FulGaz's changelog: "Yes, Zwift has acquired ROUVY and FulGaz comes with it."

Two limits: "Note: FulGaz no longer supports ANT+ connectivity on any platform." And on Zwift hardware support, FulGaz's 21 August 2026 update: "Even so we've made the call to put it on hold for now."

Which one fits

• Racing and group rides: Zwift, MyWhoosh or TrainingPeaks Virtual.
• Structured training: TrainerRoad, or Wahoo SYSTM for strength, yoga and running in the same plan. TrainingPeaks Virtual if your plan or coach is already in TrainingPeaks.
• Filmed real roads: Rouvy (with Zwift Click shifting), FulGaz or Kinomap (also rowers and treadmills).
• Budget: MyWhoosh is free, which is hard to undercut. Among full-app paid plans on these eight platforms, Kinomap ($89.99) and FulGaz (US$125.99) had the lowest annual prices on 4 October 2026 (US pages, before tax). Wahoo's Core tier ($49.99 a year) costs less but excludes SYSTM.
• You own a Zwift Cog and Click: Zwift or Rouvy. MyWhoosh and TrainingPeaks Virtual have their own virtual gears. Going back to a cassette? See our drivetrain compatibility guide.
• Wahoo KICKR BIKE or BIKE SHIFT: shifting is built into the bike, separate from Zwift-style virtual shifting.

What we could not confirm

• BKool retirement date (source conflict). Rouvy support says 30 November 2025; Rouvy's BKool page says March 2026.
• Wahoo trial terms (wording conflict). The app FAQ and the SYSTM page's FAQ say the trial is full Pro access; the SYSTM page's button says $4.99 a month (Core, no SYSTM) after the trial.
• Card needed for the trial: not stated by Wahoo, TrainingPeaks or Kinomap.
• MyWhoosh: no subscription price shown, and no trainer protocols (FTMS, FE-C) named.
• Zwift Click in MyWhoosh and TrainingPeaks Virtual: neither names it; both mention the third-party BikeControl app, whose own claims we did not use.
• TrainerRoad and Kinomap virtual shifting: no statement found either way.
• Rouvy and the KICKR CORE 2: Rouvy's shifting FAQ names the KICKR CORE, not the CORE 2, though Wahoo lists CORE 2 firmware for Rouvy and Rouvy's shop sells a CORE 2 with Cog and Click.
• TrainingPeaks Virtual on mobile: iOS and Android are not named.
• Pound and euro prices: only Kinomap showed euros to our US connection. Prices outside the US may differ.
• Taxes: stated only by Zwift (plus tax) and Wahoo (before tax).

Related on Pedal Brief

• Smart trainer buying guide: direct drive vs wheel-on: specs, prices and extra costs across brands
• Zwift Cog compatible trainers: full Zwift Ready and upgrade-kit list
• Smart trainer drivetrain compatibility: 12 and 13-speed: freehub bodies and cassettes
• Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 vs Van Rysel D500: two Zwift Ready trainers side by side

Sources

All checked 4 October 2026 (Europe/Copenhagen), from a US connection.

• Zwift: Pricing, Starting a Zwift membership, Membership FAQ, Connecting your devices for cycling, Zwift Ready and Zwift Cog Compatible Trainers, Rouvy acquisition (newsroom)
• Rouvy: Pricing, Virtual shifting, Trainer compatibility guide, From BKOOL to ROUVY (support), BKOOL page, BKOOL merger press release
• TrainerRoad: Pricing, Compatible devices and sensors, Smart trainer modes
• MyWhoosh: Home, Membership fee, Subscription, MyShift, Device compatibility
• Wahoo: SYSTM, Wahoo App subscription, Virtual shifting with Wahoo smart trainers, What do I need to use the SYSTM app?
• TrainingPeaks: TrainingPeaks Virtual, Athlete pricing, Virtual minimum specifications, Virtual gearing, BikeControl integration, Apple TV, indieVelo acquisition (press release)
• Kinomap: Home and pricing, FTMS, ANT+, Apple TV, Training modes
• FulGaz: Home, Memberships, Supported trainers, Minimum system requirements, Changelog

Disclosure: Pedal Brief may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This version has no affiliate links. We have not tested these apps. Every price, trial term and compatibility claim below comes from the platform's own pricing, product or support pages, checked on 4 October 2026 (Europe/Copenhagen). Prices are what a US visitor saw: we loaded each pricing page in a real browser from a US connection. Full disclosures.