jkhayc wrote:
If I wanted to prepare a meal, I'd use a cookbook.
(trainingpeaks)
But you'd have no kitchenware ;D
TP is a platform for coaching, documenting, and overall analysis of progress. You are on your own to actually conduct the trainings prescribed, outdoors, on a dumb trainer, or on a smart trained controlled by other software.
TR is a platform for indoors trainer control with training plans embedded. You are on your own to decide the plans that you want to follow, and how they suit your objectives and measure your performance. It will only take care of the cycling part of the training.
Zwif is a platform for smart trainer control with a cartoon-based world and direct interaction with other users (races, group rides, etc). It also has ability for trainer control and training plans embedded. A little bit of everything but highlighting the entertainment part while using a smart trainer. Also focusing on cycling (mostly).
So while there is some overlapping (particularly between TR and Zwift) TP is not a solution on its own if your plan involves a significant part using smart trainers. If it does, TR is more comprehensive in the structured training but it is no fun: just watch the bars and push to finish the prescribed intervals. Zwift is more fun if you are into the gamification aspects and the immersive experience. As a rule of thumb, you need Zwift or TR only if your training involves serious time using smart trainers. It is also important to consider if you already have a coach, which could make TR less valuable. My two cents came out too long...