Best virtual cycling platforms for spin bikes in 2026

Best Virtual Cycling Platforms for Spin Bikes

If you own a spin bike and want to make your workouts more engaging, virtual cycling platforms can transform your training. Instead of pedaling to nowhere, you ride through scenic routes, structured workouts, and live classes that keep you motivated. But not every platform fits every rider or bike. Let’s break down the best virtual cycling platforms for spin bikes, what each does well, and how to pick the right one for your goals.

What to Expect From Virtual Cycling Platforms

Before we dig into specific platforms, let’s cover the basics of what virtual cycling services typically offer. Knowing this helps you judge which one makes sense for your situation.

Core features you’ll see across platforms:

• Scenic rides and environments: Videos or 3D worlds that make workouts feel like real rides.

• Structured training: Workouts designed for fitness goals like endurance, intervals, or power zones.

• Metrics and tracking: Speed, cadence, distance, heart rate, and sometimes power.

• Live or on-demand classes: Trainer-led sessions you can join live or choose anytime.

• Community and challenges: Leaderboards, group rides, and social features.

Things that vary by platform:

• Compatibility with your spin bike sensors (cadence, speed, power)

• Whether the app supports smart trainer resistance control

• Cost and subscription model

• Device compatibility (iOS, Android, TVs, tablets, PCs)

The Top Virtual Cycling Platforms for Spin Bikes

Here’s a side-by-side view of the best virtual cycling platforms available now.

               

Now let’s look at each in detail.

Zwift

Best for: Riders who enjoy immersive worlds, virtual races, and a social environment.

Zwift is the most widely recognized name in virtual cycling for good reason. It turns your ride into a game-like experience with detailed 3D worlds, group rides, and regular events.

What makes Zwift stand out:

• Huge community: Thousands of riders online at any time.

• Interactive worlds: Explore routes like Watopia or real-world segments.

• Events and races: Join social rides or competitive events daily.

Zwift works best if your spin bike has a smart trainer or you use sensors for speed and cadence. With smart resistance control, Zwift can adjust resistance automatically to mimic terrain. Without it, you’ll still see your avatar move, but the resistance stays manual.

Drawbacks: Subscription cost and a bit of a learning curve if you’re new to virtual cycling.

Peloton App

Best for: People who want structured, instructor-led classes with variety.

Peloton is no longer just for Peloton bikes. The Peloton App brings its signature classes — cycling, strength, yoga, and more — to your spin bike.

Standout features:

• Trainer-led motivation: Coaches who push you and call out metrics.

• Class variety: Rides in different formats — intervals, hills, themed classes.

• Cross-training options: Strength and stretch sessions to complement your rides.

The Peloton App does not control resistance on your bike, so you interact manually. It still tracks cadence and estimated output, which is enough for most riders focused on class energy and accountability.

Drawbacks: Less of a “virtual world” feel than Zwift or RGT.

RGT Cycling (Road Grand Tours)

Best for: Riders who want realistic physics and group rides without the gamification.

RGT (Road Grand Tours) focuses on simulating how a real bike feels on different terrain. It’s designed around physics — gradients, drafting, and resistance — so group dynamics feel more natural.

What you get with RGT:

• Realistic ride physics: Resistance changes simulate climbs and drafting effects.

• Classic routes: Real-world courses you can ride alone or with others.

• Group events: Weekly group rides and races.

RGT works great with smart trainers for resistance changes. Even without one, cadence and speed sensors keep your experience valuable.

Drawbacks: Smaller community than Zwift, fewer worlds and events.

FulGaz

Best for: Scenic rides filmed on real roads.

If visuals matter to you — and you want to feel like you’re cycling through real terrain — FulGaz delivers. The platform features high-definition video of real routes from around the world.

Why riders like FulGaz:

• Beautiful real-world footage: Ride actual roads, not digital worlds.

• Smooth resistance matching: If your trainer is smart, resistance mimics the terrain on screen.

• Route variety: Classics like French Alps and seaside horizons.

FulGaz leans more toward solo rides and training sessions rather than group events or social interaction.

Drawbacks: Less community and fewer structured classes.

TrainerRoad

Best for: Riders focused on performance, power zones, and structured progression.

TrainerRoad isn’t about virtual worlds or entertainment. It’s about efficiency and performance. It gives you science-backed training plans that adapt as you improve.

Core benefits:

• Structured plans: Weekly workouts based on your goals and power profile.

• Performance analytics: Deep metrics for power, training stress, and progression.

• Adaptive plans: Workouts adjust to your schedule and performance.

TrainerRoad works best with a power meter or smart trainer, because it relies heavily on accurate power data. If your spin bike doesn’t support this, you’ll get less value.

Drawbacks: Minimal entertainment value if you want scenic rides or communities.

Choosing the Right Platform for You

Picking a virtual cycling platform comes down to what you want from your ride. Here’s how to think about it:

1. Motivation vs. Training

• You want fun and engagement? Study Zwift or FulGaz.

• You want performance outcomes? TrainerRoad leads.

• You want instructor energy? Peloton App is strong.

2. Community vs. Solo

• Crave group rides and challenges? Zwift and RGT.

• Prefer individual workouts? FulGaz or TrainerRoad.

3. Technology and Sensors

• Smart trainer user? You’ll get the most from Zwift, RGT, FulGaz, and TrainerRoad.

• Basic spin bike without sensors? Peloton App still works well for classes.

4. Budget

• Most services are subscription-based.

• Consider how often you’ll use it: frequent riders get more value.

Setting Up Your Spin Bike for Virtual Riding

Once you’ve picked a platform, set it up correctly.

Sensors you might need:

• Cadence sensor: Tracks your pedal rotations per minute.

• Speed sensor: Measures how fast you’d be traveling.

• Power meter or smart trainer: Gives accurate power output and can control resistance.

For platforms that adjust resistance automatically (Zwift, RGT, FulGaz with smart trainer), a smart trainer is ideal. If you don’t have one, cadence and speed sensors still let you participate; the platform will estimate performance.

Device setup: Most platforms run on tablets, phones, laptops, and smart TVs. Mount your device where you can see it while you ride.

Getting the Most Out of Virtual Cycling

Here are a few tips that help you stay committed and improve faster:

Mix it up. Alternate between scenic rides, structured workouts, and social rides to avoid burnout.

Use metrics strategically. Track cadence and heart rate to guide effort, not just distance.

Join community events. Even riding with others virtually can boost consistency.

Set goals. Whether it’s riding a certain number of weekly miles or completing a specific event, goals keep your training purposeful.

Conclusion

Virtual cycling platforms have changed how we ride indoors. They give purpose to every minute on the bike, whether you’re chasing a power target, exploring a new route, or riding with others across the globe.

The best platform for you depends on how you like to train, how social you want your experience to be, and what your spin bike can support. Zwift and RGT bring community and worlds, Peloton App offers accessible classes, FulGaz delivers real-world scenery, and TrainerRoad gives focused training for riders who want results.

What really matters is you get on the bike and enjoy the ride. Pick a platform that keeps you coming back. That’s how progress happens.