Comparing Indoor Training Platforms: Zwift vs TrainingPeaks Virtual

Triathlon Forum
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I think ultimately run is going to be stuck on the back burner until we see widespread adoption of controllable treadmills that can also safely adjust pacing for terrain.

And right now, cost is the greatest barrier to that adoption.

That is where I think TPV does have some pretty significant benefit over Zwift (at the expense of some of the gamification elements that do, indeed, work, as we’ve seen in cycling). If you are the kind of athlete that “just” wants to train…and you’re more inclined to always use ERG mode…I simply don’t see a reason to pay for Zwift if you’ve also got TP Premium.

That being said: I’m in the midst of getting my ass kicked in by the TdZ Racing scene. Whoever created a couple of these routes needs to be punched.

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42

i use zwift since the beta days and still prefer it over all others…i also have tpv running and i have tried it…but did ride as a single rider …i am used to ride on zwift, do have alot of contacts over the years and i will use TPV for the gpx workouts of the courses…..some clubmembers also use tpv just because of the price…which i find ridiculous comparing the costs of the sports….

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For me its also not the price aspect but whether freeing myself of the gamification metrics. Honest simple workouts on TPV for now. Maybe I go back to Zwift in a year but enjoying TP premium mostly for the analytics and TPV for the workouts keeps my timestressed hobby nicely balanced. Alao happy I found with TP a way out of the Garmin ecosystem eventually.

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Just to confirm that I have now connected my zwift click v1 and elite sterzo smart to the third party app that Ryan linked to earlier. Both worked great with TPV for my 30min ride today. I prefer the ergonomics of the click compared to the 2 button keyboard I was previously using. It also means that I can now reprogramme my keyboard to do other things like look behind.

I still don’t like the feeling of virtual shifting on TPV. I find the shifting too slow and smooth.

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The newest development also is that some TPV races are now free to all. The idea is to get newcomers to try it at the most human populated races.

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I have been on zwift since close to day 1. I don’t race much these days

Everyday I ride indoors I pick my scheduled workout from the list (which coach uploads into TP) and ride

I’ve long been reticent to switch platforms since zwift just kinda works

I setup TPV the other day while zwift was downloading an annoying update, and was riding before zwift was ready for me

Not sure why someone like me who doesn’t race, would pay for zwift anymore. TPV seems perfect

For those of you who have used both for longer, am I missing something ?

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Unless the graphics difference between the two is a decision-maker…or if you really like the badges / XP from Zwift…

…you’re exactly the kind of customer that should thrive with TPV, IMO.

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I don’t think you’re missing anything, I think it just comes down to preference. Early on, I was having some issues keeping TPV running with an older smart TV + Apple TV. Zwift works good with that combo…except it does a little internet connection dance every morning as I’m warming up. I started playing with TPV and an iPad, and so far that combination works flawlessly. I’ve started training this week for the 2026 season and have noticed I have to pay a little closer attention to workouts uploaded from coach, because I’m so used to seeing them in certain places. Placement can be customized a bit and I’m guessing after a solid week or two running TPV only I’ll be used to it and ready to drop Zwift since I’m also paying for a premium TP subscription. I don’t race on Zwift but do enjoy the challenges and earning kit…like a video game. Still it’s probably not worth paying for both.