Zwift Vs Rouvy....
Zwift or Rouvy? We compare the two big players of the
virtual cycling world…
Indoor cycling has become increasingly popular in recent years with platforms like Zwift and Rouvy offering immersive
experiences for cyclists of all levels. While both apps aim to make indoor training more engaging, they take different slightly approaches. But which one should you choose? We decided to compare the platforms in a few key areas….
Virtual World & Graphics
Zwift offers fully immersive, game-like virtual worlds. Riders can explore fictional locations like Watopia and real-world inspired routes such as London and New York. The graphics are polished, and the social interaction is strong. Be warned though, some people seem to go on there to socialise rather than ride a bike and the chat function could start to drive you mad! Luckily you can turn it off.
Zwift also allows you to adjust your route as you go so as you approach junctions in the road, it gives you the option to turn left or right, you can also do a full 180 and go back the other way if you wish. The only drawback really with the routes and worlds on zwift is that you can’t access all of the worlds all of the time; Watopia is always available but the rest of the worlds are on
rotation so if you spot a route on one of the alternative worlds that you want to ride, you need to get in there fast before it
disappears again.
Rouvy uses real-world video routes with augmented reality (AR). Instead of animated graphics, it overlays 3D avatars onto actual recorded road footage, providing a more realistic feel. The developers have clearly thought about the end user and a lot of the routes are in popular cycling locations and sections from race stages from grand tours etc. The great thing about Rouvy is that all of the routes are available all of the time so if you aren’t up for climbing Alpe d’huez today, it will still be there for you
tomorrow. One of the potential downsides to having all of the routes available all of the time is that quite often the route you pick can be very quiet and you can do an entire ride without coming across another cyclist. It’s not the end of the world, but I find that having someone to chase motivates me to pedal harder to try pass them and I get a better workout because of it.
Workouts & Training Plans
Zwift offers a broad range of structured workouts designed to suit various fitness levels, along with detailed FTP tests to gauge your performance. The platform also features long-term training plans that help build your endurance, strength, and speed over time. Additionally, its integration with Zwift Academy introduces race-based training programs that simulate real-world competition, enhancing both your tactical skills and overall racing readiness.
Rouvy also offers a diverse selection of structured workouts designed to meet various training objectives and features realistic race simulations that closely mirror the dynamics of outdoor racing. This makes it an excellent option for cyclists training for specific outdoor routes or competitive events, as its video-based routes capture the authentic conditions and challenges of real-world cycling.
Route Variety & Realism
Zwift has expansive fantasy and real-world-inspired maps with frequent updates. The routes are fictional but immersive and fun. For example, if you ride around London, you can cycle though the underground and be seamlessly transported to the Quantock hills or if you choose New York you can climb up an imaginary translucent road into the new York skyline.
If you’re a social cyclist there are also group rides make training social and fun, the difficulty level of these rides is gauged by your watts per KG output so you know roughly which one will suit your fitness level.
Rouvy has Over 1000 real-world routes, including famous climbs like Alpe d’Huez and Stelvio Pass, all filmed in high
definition. The AR technology overlays a rider's avatar onto real roads, adding fantastic realism. If you’ve got a set up with a big screen, Rouvy really does look excellent and is incredibly
immersive. Rouvy also has KOM sections that are linked to Strava so if you are the competitive sort, you can race the king of the mountain ghost rider up the hillside. The main drawback on the realism front for me is that there is no sound. I know that might sound a bit odd but a bit of wind noise and the
occasional chirp from the birds to compliment the huffing and puffing coming out of me really would make the world of difference.
Racing & Multiplayer Features
Zwift offers an engaging eSports-style racing experience, featuring organized events such as the official Zwift Racing League. Riders can compete in races where elements like drafting,
interactive power-ups, and dynamic competition come into play, creating a fast-paced and exhilarating atmosphere. This gamified approach not only makes racing fun but also helps riders sharpen their tactical skills and race strategies in a virtual environment.
In contrast, Rouvy provides realistic race simulations that closely mimic real-world cycling conditions, making it an
excellent tool for training on specific race routes before an event. Its video-based routes allow cyclists to experience the actual terrain and challenges of outdoor racing. However, while these simulations offer a highly authentic training experience, the competitive aspect of racing on Rouvy tends to be less
intense than the high-energy, interactive races found on Zwift.
Anything else worth mentioning?
As you’d expect, both platforms are compatible with a wide range of smart trainers, smart watches heart rate monitors etc. on this front they are very evenly matched but as long as your smart trainer is from one of the popular manufacturers you shouldn’t have any problems connecting it up.
Price-wise Zwift is £17.99 per month or £179.99 for an annual membership which offers a small saving, however I quite often pause my membership over the summer months so if you’re a fair weather cyclinst like me, the annual membership doesn’t make sense. It’s also worth noting that Zwift only offers a single person membership so if there are two riders in the household and you’re precious about your performance stats, you will need to buy two memberships. Rouvy is marginally cheaper at £12.99 per month or £129 billed annually, however for £16.99 per month you can two users and if your entire family is obsessed with cycling around a virtual world you can buy a 5 person membership for £29.99 per month. Both of the multiple user options also offer a 16% discount for annual payment
Final Verdict… Which one should you choose?
Which one you choose wil depend on what you want to get out of it. I stopped riding Zwift and moved over to Rouvy because I was getting bored of riding around Watopia and whilst Zwift does offer a couple of alternative worlds every day, they don’t
generally have loads of routes on them and when you couple that with the fact that quite a large portion of them are very short and/or very flat, it limits your options very quickly. I find that the variety on Rouvy means that I can always find something
interesting, long enough and with enough elevation to ride and currently Rouvy is my preferred platform.
On the other hand, I have a friend who until recently was doing a lot of racing and he prefers Zwift. He enjoys the group rides and feels that they push him and his fitness as much as he needs and that the whole Zwift riding experience is a more fast paced enjoyable experience. The computer game graphics and repetitive routes don’t particularly bother him because it’s the
challenge of keeping up with the group that motivates him.
So, to summarise. If you’re a fairly solitary cyclist and like to ride your bike to keep fit and enjoy the countryside, Rouvy is
probably what you’re after. If on the other hand you ride in a club a lot during the summer months, like the social aspect of
cycling and want to push yourself to keep up with others, Zwift is where you need to be.
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