It’s sunny outside, Zwift have raised their prices and there are cheaper alternatives available. Make sure you don’t pay more that you need to and cancel Zwift. In this guide we discuss the reasons you should cancel Zwift membership and show you how to avoid paying more than necessary.
Zwift Membership
Zwift is an online cycling platform. They recently announced a price hike, increasing the price of Zwift membership to £17.99 a month.
This £5 a month, 38% price increase has caused many, including myself to reconsider whether Zwift is worth it.
Reasons to Cancel Zwift Membership
Whilst Zwift has been an industry leading indoor cycling platform for many years, there are plenty of reasons to cancel.
Zwift is Expensive
The £17.99 membership puts Zwift amongst the most expensive indoor cycling and training platforms. There are many alternatives available for free, or for lower cost.
Zwift Isn’t Very Serious
With cartoon avatars and social aspects in Zwift the platform isn’t that serious. Whilst there is an array of data available in game, Zwift does feel like just that, a game.
Training plans are available however they aren’t nearly as advanced as some rivals. If you’re anything like me some of the plans are way to easy with others being seemingly impossible. Occasionally I’ve had Zwift put so much resistance onto the turbo in such a short space of time it’s completely locked up. I’ve been unable to keep the pedals spinning and had to abort the training plan.
You can adjust your Functional threshold Power (FTP) to calibrate each workout before you start but it’s not always easy to know how much to change it.
It’s Summer
In the UK most cyclists will get outdoors in the summer months. We’ve finally had a wave of good weather so now is a good time to get outside. Many of us leave our indoor trainers gathering dust, the same as our Zwift membership.
It’s Easy to Forget to Cancel
Zwift offer a pause of up to 8 weeks at a time between billing dates. This is great if you remember to re-pause it. I am quite likely to forgot the date and end up being charged for something I won’t use.
You Can Keep Your Account
Cancelling Zwift doesn’t remove your account. You can resubscribe at any time and keep your levels, kit and anything else you have unlocked.
Reasons to Keep Zwift
Whilst the Zwift price rise clearly gives a reason to cancel Zwift, there are some reasons to keep with the leading indoor cycling platform.
Zwift Offer More Than Just Cycling
Zwift also allows you to hook up your treadmill. This was you get a fitness platform for two sports, not just one.
Zwift Cheaper Yearly Membership
If £17.99 a month is too much, then you can get a discount by signing up for a year at a time.
For £179.99 you get 12 months of membership saving you £35.89, almost 2 months ‘for free’.
Pause Zwift Membership
You can pause Zwift membership for up to 8 weeks. the pause will take effect from your next billing date.
Socials on Zwift
Zwift is a very social platform. You can find group rides and workouts and talk to others via the Zwift platform.
You can also ride with others and work together, whether in free roam or events.
Zwift Racing
Zwift racing is competitive. There is nothing more motivating than trying to out sprint a virtual avatar in the last 200m of a virtual race.
Zwift also offer a racing league so you can team up with your friends. If you have a treadmill as well, you can enter duathlons!
Zwift Events
If you are lacking motivation, Zwift offer a variety of events. These are often themed on real world cycling events or are regular Zwift special events. The ever popular Zwift academy training program and Tour de Zwift allowing you to explore all of the scenery in the crafted landscapes are bound to keep you enthused.
How to Cancel Zwift Membership
It’s actually fairly straight forward to cancel your membership.
- Log into the Zwift website
- Click ‘Membership’ in the panel across the top
- Where it says membership, hit ‘Cancel’
- Select the reason why you are cancelling
- Hit ‘Cancel Membership’
You should now receive an email telling you when your Zwift membership will lapse. This email will also remind you that you can come back to Zwift, and confirm that your membership will not automatically renew.
Why I Cancelled Zwift Membership
I was happy enough paying £12.99 a month for my Zwift membership. However the huge Zwift price increase got me thinking. £17.99 a month is an awful lot to pay for something I use twice a week, less in summer.
There was a time when I was using Zwift every day, but I cycle to work every day and rarely find the energy to jump on Zwift in the evenings. In the summer I do my weekend cycling outdoors.
I think I will miss Zwift on those rainy weekend days however I plan on exploring alternatives such as MyWhoosh, Wahoo X, Rouvy and BKool. With any luck I’ll be able to get a few free trials as well to really keep costs down!
