Free Indoor Cycling Apps Reviewed

Indoor Cycling Apps: The Free and Cheap Options

Indoor training apps have gotten complicated with all the subscription models flying around. As someone who’s tried basically every platform over the past few winters, I learned everything there is to know about what’s actually worth paying for versus what you can get free.

Zwift dominates the conversation, but it’s not the only option. If you’re budget-conscious or just want to try different platforms, here’s what else exists – including genuinely free options.

Actually Free (No Subscription)

GoldenCheetah

Open-source software for serious data nerds. Completely free, no trial period, no features locked behind paywalls. It’s not pretty and has a learning curve, but the analysis tools are genuinely powerful.

Doesn’t control smart trainers or provide virtual worlds. It’s for tracking and analyzing your rides, not for entertainment during them.

YouTube Cycling Workouts

GCN puts out free cycling workouts regularly. So do other channels. Just search “indoor cycling workout” and you’ll find hundreds of options.

No smart trainer integration – you follow along with verbal cues. Works with any setup, even a basic trainer with no sensors.

Garmin/Wahoo Native Apps

If you have Garmin or Wahoo devices, their free apps include basic workout functionality. Not as engaging as Zwift but no additional cost beyond equipment you might already own.

Free Tiers and Long Trials

Probably should have led with this section, honestly.

RGT Cycling (Wahoo RGT)

Has a genuinely useful free tier with access to several routes. Premium adds more, but free is functional. Good real-world video routes. Worth trying if you like the idea of riding actual roads virtually.

Kinomap

Limited free content, lots of user-uploaded routes. Community-driven, so quality varies. Some routes are excellent, others are shaky phone footage. Free tier lets you explore before committing.

MyWhoosh

Completely free as of now – they monetize differently. Virtual worlds similar to Zwift. Still growing, fewer users, but legitimate platform. Worth checking if you want Zwift-style features without the subscription.

Paid But Worth Considering

TrainerRoad ($20/month)

No virtual worlds, just structured training plans. Boring to watch but extremely effective for getting faster. Their AI-driven adaptive training is genuinely good. Try the free trial if you care more about fitness than entertainment.

Zwift ($15/month)

The biggest platform, most users, most active events. Virtual worlds, group rides, racing. The industry standard. 7-day free trial lets you see what the hype is about.

Rouvy ($10-15/month)

Real video routes instead of virtual worlds. Ride famous climbs with actual footage. Different vibe than Zwift – more like being there, less like playing a game.

What I’d Do On a Budget

For entertainment while riding: Try MyWhoosh (free) or RGT’s free tier. See if virtual worlds keep you engaged.

For structured training: Start with GCN YouTube workouts. If you want more structure, try TrainerRoad’s trial.

For data analysis: GoldenCheetah if you’re willing to learn it. Strava’s free tier for basic tracking.

The Honest Assessment

That’s what makes indoor training endearing to us cyclists stuck inside during winter months. Free options work. You can train indoors effectively without paying for any software. But engagement suffers. Staring at a wall while following YouTube cues isn’t as compelling as racing other people in a virtual world.

If you’ll ride more with a paid app, the subscription is worth it. If you’re disciplined enough to ride regardless, save your money. Only you know which category you fall into.

Start free, upgrade if needed. No reason to pay $15/month to discover you don’t like indoor riding anyway.