Zwift is an indoor cycling and running app that turns your smart trainer into a full virtual training environment. You ride through photorealistic worlds, join live group events, follow structured training plans, and compete with other riders in real time—all without leaving your house. It's available on iOS, Android, PC, Mac, and Apple TV, and it requires a smart trainer or smart bike to work.
I've been a paying subscriber for over a year, and I use it every single day. It's the only subscription I'm never canceling, ever.
Zwift
- Price: $19.99/month or $199.99/year
- Free trial: 14 days
- Platforms: iOS, Android, PC, Mac, Apple TV
How does Zwift work?
Zwift connects to your smart trainer via Bluetooth or ANT+ and translates your real-world pedaling into movement through a virtual environment. It's so real that your cadence (pedal speed) matches your movements perfectly. Your avatar rides through the world at the speed and power you're actually producing. When the road climbs, your trainer increases resistance. When you sprint, the avatar sprints. The feedback is immediate and physically accurate enough that longer climbs genuinely hurt. Plus, you're supposed to drink water whenever you see your avatar lift the bottle!
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
The app pairs with heart rate monitors and GPS watches for complete data tracking. I pair mine with my Garmin for full session data, which shows up in Garmin Connect alongside my outdoor rides.
Your trainer streams. Your plan should too.
Zwift streams high-quality 3D environments in real time. A strong home internet connection makes a difference, especially since lag mid-climb is miserable.
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Virtual worlds and group rides
Zwift currently has more than a dozen virtual worlds to ride through (with thousands of stages in each), including recreations of famous race climbs, flat sprint courses, and entirely original environments. The detail is extraordinary. Watopia has volcanic routes, jungle switchbacks, and ocean roads. Scotland has castle backdrops and rolling hills that make a Tuesday evening feel like a real trip. I hook mine up to my flatscreen TV and the ambient sound completes the experience.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
Group rides and racing events run around the clock. You join a scheduled event, warm up, and ride alongside other real users from around the world in real time. My Sunday group rides are the highlight of my week. We chat in the app while riding, and topics range from cycling nutrition to barefoot-style shoes. It's the closest thing to a cycling club that doesn't require you to leave the house or dodge traffic.
Training plans and structured workouts
Zwift's training library has plans for every level, from complete beginners to racers. The 30-minute burn sessions are the ones I keep returning to for days when I want a hard effort without a long commitment. Monthly challenge programs give you a series of rides to complete and reward you with badges and kit unlocks when you finish a stage. You can upgrade your bike for better ride effects too, and you pay with workout drops which you earn by completing more rides.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
Zwift also supports running on a treadmill. The same virtual worlds apply, but your avatar runs through Watopia or London while you run on your treadmill at home. Heart rate and pace data sync the same way as cycling, and the structured running plans are just as complete.
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How much does Zwift cost, and is it worth it?
Zwift costs $19.99/month or $199.99/year. A 14-day free trial gives you a full two weeks to test it out before you commit. You'll also need a smart trainer, which starts around $300 for a basic model. So prepare yourself for some upfront investments.
If you're willing to spend a little for the setup, you have a full workout that never gets boring and can be done in rain, snow, or sleet. It's absolutely worth it and I can't recommend it enough. I use Zwift instead of a gym, which means I'm not paying a gym membership on top of it. Alternatives like MyWhoosh are free but suffer from lag and a much smaller world roster. If you enjoy cycling, you won't regret it—it's addictive.
For the full comparison of fitness apps at every price point, see our best health and fitness apps guide.
How I tested Zwift
I've been a paid Zwift subscriber for over a year and use it daily as my primary training tool. Testing covered group rides, structured workout sessions, challenge programs, and multi-platform use across iOS and Apple TV. Smart trainer compatibility, pairing reliability, and data sync with a Garmin watch were all evaluated through regular use. Pricing was verified at the time of writing.
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Zwift: FAQ
Do you need a smart trainer to use Zwift?
Yes, but it doesn't need to be Zwift brand. I use a ThinkRider with my own bike mounted.
How much does Zwift cost?
Zwift costs $19.99/month or $199.99/year. You can test it out with the 14-day free trial.
Can you use Zwift for running?
Yes, you can use Zwift for running. Zwift supports treadmill running with a compatible footpod or smart treadmill, and the same virtual worlds and structured training plans apply to running sessions.
Is Zwift worth it for casual cyclists?
It depends on frequency. Daily users find the cost easy to justify as a gym replacement. Occasional riders may find the subscription and smart trainer cost harder to justify.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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