Rouvy vs Zwift for Indoor Training

Rouvy vs Zwift: Having Used Both Extensively

Indoor cycling platform comparisons have gotten complicated with all the features and communities flying around. As someone who’s subscribed to both at different times — full winter on Rouvy, currently on Zwift — I learned everything there is to know about how they differ. Today, I’ll share an honest comparison.

The Core Difference

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Zwift builds fictional virtual worlds — Watopia, London, New York-ish places. You ride an avatar through computer-generated landscapes. Essentially a video game on a bike.

Rouvy uses actual video footage of real roads. Watch a recording of a camera cycling through the French Alps while your trainer matches the gradient. Closer to reality.

Neither is objectively better. They appeal to different mindsets.

What Rouvy Does Well

Real routes feel meaningful: That’s what makes Rouvy endearing to us realism seekers — riding Alpe d’Huez means watching the actual road, real hairpins, genuine scenery.

Route variety: Thousands of real-world routes. Famous climbs, scenic coastal roads, random European villages.

Simpler interface: Less going on screen. Just you, road video, data. Some prefer this.

Augmented reality mode: Overlays your avatar onto real footage. Sounds gimmicky but works well.

Where Rouvy Falls Short

Smaller community: Fewer riders means fewer group events, less active racing.

Video quality varies: User-submitted routes can have shaky footage.

Less gamification: If motivated by leveling up and achievements, Rouvy has less.

What Zwift Does Well

Community and events: Group rides constantly happening. Racing leagues. Feels alive with riders even at odd hours.

Training ecosystem: Workout library, training plans, coaching integration.

Gamification: Levels, unlocks, challenges. Tricks brain into wanting to ride more.

Race culture: Zwift racing is its own thing. Regular races, leagues, even e-sports.

Where Zwift Falls Short

Not real: Watopia isn’t real. Some find fake scenery less motivating.

Can feel busy: Notifications, riders everywhere. Sometimes you want simple.

Repetitive worlds: Same roads repeatedly. After a year, seen everything multiple times.

Which I’d Recommend

Choose Rouvy if: Motivated by real roads and actual scenery. Want simpler, less game-like experience. Prefer solo riding. Want to “ride” specific famous climbs.

Choose Zwift if: Want group rides and social features. Racing and competition motivate you. Like gamification. Want largest user base and most active events.

What I Actually Did

Started Zwift because everyone was using it. Switched to Rouvy for a season to try something different. Went back to Zwift because I missed group rides and races.

Rouvy was fine. Good even. But community aspect of Zwift kept pulling me back. Your priorities might differ.

The Honest Answer

Both work. Both make indoor training more tolerable than staring at a wall. Try free trials, see which clicks with how your brain works. No wrong choice here.