I’ve seen from my friends that picking a trainer platform is liking going to a restaurant and picking from a menu. Everyone has different taste. It’s all personal preference.
I started using Trainerroad back in January 2014 before they had plans. I actually used Trainerroad with Sufferfest to do the Sufferfest workouts and specifically, the Tour of Sufferlandria. The Sufferfest videos were engaging. Much more engaging then blue bars of TR. And for me, I don’t like watching TV or Movies while on the Trainer. I like music.
When TR and Sufferfest divorced and there platforms would just NOT communicate, I had to choose Mom (TR) or Dad (Sufferfest) and I chose Mom. But the blue bars alone got boring and I just rode outside more. And then I found Aunty Zwift and went to live with her. Love Zwift for Racing and Group Rides, love the gamification with leveling up, got the Tron Bike, got 85% of all the Route Badges. Problem with Zwift is the plans suck for a Triathlete. So I had Mom (TR) move in with Aunty Zwift and I’m pretty darn happy. I have a HALF Ironman Plan on TR that I follow and with two ANT+ sticks I seamlessly run TR on Zwift.
So a perfect training week for me is 3 TR planned workouts while riding Zwift (mostly sweet spot stuff). Then Zwift standalone = 1 Zwift race and Zwift 2-hour group Ride.
Because Triathlon is my main and only hobby, I don’t mind spending the money on a Trainerroad and Zwift subscription. Life is short and it keeps me in great health, and it keeps me entertained w/ structure. Sorry about the weird relative analogies.