- Hey, what's up guys.
This is Tariq here from SMARTBikeTrainers.com.
After that review I did on RGT last month,
I got a lot of questions on how RGT compares to Zwift.
So, in this video, I'll take you through both apps,
and we'll take a look at the features,
and the things that make each app unique,
and maybe help you get familiar with both apps.
Or, if you're just looking to try something new
while practicing social distancing,
then stick around.
And if you find this video helpful,
remember to hit the like button
to help support what I do on this channel.
And also, leave me a comment and tell me,
what is that one feature,
that one feature, other than price,
that you look for when choosing a cycling app.
Okay, let's start with the price.
Zwift and RGT both cost $14.99 per month.
Yes, both cost the same,
but RGT offers a free subscription,
and you can use it completely free at no cost,
and enjoy riding all the courses they have,
and joining events and group rides.
However, if you wanna be able to create your own events,
such as group rides or races,
build your own magic roads, and do custom workout,
which tends to be 90% of my indoor riding,
then you need to sign up
and pay that $14.99 monthly subscription fee.
Zwift is a virtual world with fictional and real courses.
It has a cartoon-ish video game feel, look to it.
Even some of the real courses
can have a fictional look to them.
Their main world is called Watopia,
and it's a fictional island they created
in the middle of the Pacific.
They also have real courses such as
London, Yorkshire, Endsburgh, Richmond,
New York-ish, which is basically New York,
with a fictional or futuristic feel to it.
Then, some other events-only courses
such as Grit City and others.
Zwift also applies real riding physics,
such as drafting, road surface simulation,
and bike aerodynamics to cement your avatar speed.
RGT, on the other hand,
built real courses into this virtual world,
with eight different courses that you can ride on.
So, their courses are based on real places
from around the world, and have that real look to them.
It's like that Forza Horizon game on the Xbox.
Not as good, but somewhere close.
Also, the riding physics,
I think RGT took it a step further.
You can see the draft effects when you are in a draft.
Your avatar slows down on turns,
where in Zwift, when you make a turn,
you just keep going the same speed.
Zwift always has two worlds available
for you to select from.
The Watopia is always the default course,
and always available to ride.
Then you have guest courses,
and these rotate throughout the month.
Where, in RGT, you can always select
any of the routes they have available at any time.
Zwift also offers the ability to do custom workouts.
You can either create a workout
using their own custom workout builder,
or find a third-party workout builder and use that.
You can also import workouts
from TrainingPeaks or today's plan,
and set them up so they auto sync
for today's workout for you.
In RGT, you can import workouts from TrainingPeaks only,
or send them a workout file to be created for you.
RGT also has a workout library,
with a number of workouts that you can do,
but no workout plans available yet.
Zwift has a bigger number of workouts
and workout plans for different cycling disciplines
that you can sign up for and follow.
Zwift also has a good workout player
that allows you to control your workout.
This is probably one of the most
underrated features in Zwift.
Their workout player is just phenomenal!
It's probably one of the best out there, if not the best.
Ironically, I think it is even better
than most apps that are dedicated to training only.
Using the Zwift companion app,
you can easily toggle ERG mode on or off,
like just the resistance,
or the workout intensity, or skip an interval.
RGT is lacking in this area.
You can adjust the workout intensity before you start,
but once begin the workout, there is no way to adjust
the intensity or skip an interval if you want to.
Hopefully we see this mature more with future updates.
Zwift also allows you to do group workouts,
and this is a fun and engaging way
to go through a workout with a group of cyclists or friends.
RGT offers group riding and racing,
which you can join and do with the free membership,
and with the premium membership
you can create your own event
and invite others to join your event.
Zwift also offers a lot of events.
However, you cannot easily create an event.
Last year they created this feature they called Meetup,
which you can use to create your own small time event.
It's limited in many ways,
and you can only invite people that follow you.
Events in Zwift are really what makes Zwift, Zwift.
There are events happening in Zwift all the time!
Whether you are looking for group rides or a race,
racing in Zwift is also extremely competitive!
They've taken on eRacing, the UCI world championship
coming up later this year on Zwift.
Professional teams are also forming
on Zwift with sponsorships.
You can actually make money,
and get sponsorships, racing on Zwift.
RGT has racing, and you can create your own race,
and invite people to that race, and race each other.
However, racing on RGT is not anywhere close to Zwift.
You might have some people racing with you,
but most likely, you will have bots.
And remember, Zwift did have bots when they first started,
so RGT needs just time to develop,
and they just need to somehow build their audience.
With RGT, you have the ability
to create your own magic roads.
This is a unique feature to RGT,
and not available in Zwift.
Basically, these are your own roads
that you create to simulate any route.
So, if you have a race coming up, for example,
and want to simulate that course,
as long as you have a clean GPX file for that route,
which you can create yourself
using any of the tools out there,
or if you've ridden that course,
using a Garmin Edge, for example, or a Wahoo element.
You can download that file, a GPX version of that ride,
and just email it to RGT,
and they will recreate that route for you
so you can ride it on your SMART Trainer.
Another feature Zwift has,
and it is unique to Zwift, is running.
It's currently free, if you plan to use Zwift to only run,
but it is also available for the cyclist paying members.
Zwift has specific courses for runners, events, and races.
They have also have running-specific workouts,
and running plans,
to prep you for an upcoming 5K or half-marathon.
As for compatibility, Zwift runs on
Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, they have an Apple TV app,
and it's also available on Android devices.
It's compatible with SMART Trainers and dumb trainers.
RGT's available on Windows, Mac,
and they have an Apple TV app, and an iPad app.
It requires you to use your companion app,
which is basically another app
that you need to download on your phone, to control RGT.
Without the app, you won't be able to even run RGT.
The companion app can be installed on your phone,
and is available for iOS and Android devices.
RGT is only compatible with SMART Trainers,
or as long as you have a power meter
that you can pair to RGT,
then you should be able to use RGT.
Zwift also has a companion app
which you can use to control some things in the game,
but it's not required.
You can still control Zwift
with a regular old mouse, or a touch pad.
Now, the biggest difference that you'll find
between the two apps, is that social side.
At any one point you log into Zwift,
you'll have a lot of other riders
riding with you, or runners.
During peak season, you can have over 10,000 riders
and runners on the course all at the same time.
RGT, on the other hand, is lacking that social side.
Most likely, you will find yourself riding alone,
or with other bots, and maybe that's what you like.
Maybe social distancing is your thing.
One way to socialize in RGT
is by checking out their Facebook group.
Some users host their own group rides,
and post them on Facebook.
So, you can join them and socialize with other RGT users.
At the the end of the day,
you're still riding alone somewhere,
probably in some basement
in front of a TV, or your computer screen.
So, what is that one feature
that you want when riding indoors?
Is is that realistic feel?
Riding real courses?
And feel like you are enjoying the scenery?
Or possibly creating your own courses?
Or to prep for a race?
Or maybe host your own event?
Or, are you looking for that competition?
Racing, group riding with your friends.
For me, it is having the ability
to import custom workouts from TrainingPeaks,
and execute them, and just have a good flexible
workout controls that allows me to make adjustment
to my workout on the fly.
Some racing here and there, just to mix things up.
So, let me know, what is that one feature
that you want or you must have in a training platform
that keeps you coming back?
Is it that social side?
Workout plans, the graphics, racing?
What is it?
Let me know down in the comment section below.
And, I hope you enjoyed this video.
Remember to like it if you did,
and if you are still watching
and have not subscribed yet, then you know what to do.
Thanks for watching!
And see you guys in the next video.
(upbeat music)