Watta vs Stride: AI Erg Capture vs Bluetooth Rowing
By the Watta Team · Updated March 2026
Quick Verdict
Stride is a rowing-focused app that connects to Concept2 ergs via Bluetooth for real-time workout tracking. Watta takes a different approach — AI-powered photo capture of your PM5 screen, which works regardless of Bluetooth connectivity. Stride offers guided workouts and a clean interface; Watta offers a unique Effort Score and club features. Both are solid choices for dedicated rowers.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Watta | Stride |
|---|---|---|
| Data Capture Method | AI OCR — photograph your PM5 screen after the workout | Bluetooth connection to PM5 for real-time data streaming during the workout |
| Effort Scoring | 0-100 Effort Score with cardiac load, work output, pacing, and economy components | No composite effort score; displays raw metrics (split, watts, stroke rate) |
| Guided Workouts | No guided workout mode — focused on capture and analysis | Guided on-screen workouts with stroke rate and pace targets |
| Heart Rate Zones | Karvonen-based five-zone system personalised to your physiology | Heart rate display when connected to a compatible monitor |
| Social Features | Clubs, squads, social feed, leaderboards, Strava sync | Community features and workout sharing |
| Offline/Connectivity | Works without Bluetooth — just photograph the screen after your session | Requires active Bluetooth connection to the PM5 during the workout |
| Price | Free | Free with optional premium subscription for advanced features |
Why Choose Watta
- +No Bluetooth pairing required — works with any Concept2 by photographing the screen, even in busy gyms where connections drop
- +Effort Score provides a single 0-100 metric that contextualises every session across four dimensions
- +Club and squad system enables team-level tracking and competition
Where Stride Excels
- +Real-time data streaming during workouts with live split, stroke rate, and pace feedback on your phone
- +Guided workout library with on-screen coaching cues and interval programming
Detailed Breakdown
Stride and Watta represent two philosophies for erg tracking. Stride connects to your PM5 via Bluetooth before the workout, streaming data in real time and offering guided workout overlays. This is great when the connection works reliably, but Bluetooth can be finicky in busy gym environments with multiple ergs. Watta sidesteps connectivity entirely — you row your session looking at the PM5 as normal, then photograph the screen when you finish. The AI OCR extracts every visible metric in seconds. Where Watta pulls ahead is in analytics. The Effort Score gives each session a meaningful composite rating that accounts for how hard your heart worked, how much power you produced, how consistently you paced, and how efficiently you rowed. Stride displays raw metrics but does not synthesise them into actionable insight. Where Stride has an edge is in the guided workout experience — if you want an app to program and pace your intervals in real time, Stride delivers that and Watta does not.
Watta is Available Now
Download Watta and start tracking your workouts today.
Download on the App StoreFrequently Asked Questions
Related Content
Every erg counts.
Download Watta and start tracking your workouts today.
Download on the App Store