Newbie bike training question.

I've got nothing against 'smart' trainers and the like but you absolutely do not need such a thing to train well.

Have a look at this:  http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=2332

There is a HR version, PM version, and also (maybe not in the link above?, but somewhere on the internet) an RPE version.  They all work.

And really there are loads of structured plans designed primarily for riding on the trainer.  You can follow any of them and just put on some music or a movie or whatever form of entertainment will help distract you from the pain...

A power meter is going to give you accurate power because it uses strain gauges for measurement.  The virtual power apps use a collection of inputs (mainly speed and power profile of the trainer) to estimate your power.  The results may or may not be accurate.  If you set up your trainer consistently (ie. same # of turns of the resistant knob and same tire pressure) you'll get more consistent data.  Here's a good article about the precision/accuracy issues you can run into using virtual power.

http://www.tri2max.com/blog/2016/3/1/accuracy-precision-and-virtual-power

I have a power meter but if I wanted to setup a structured program using virtual power I would get the following:

Kurt Kinetic Road Machine: dumb trainer - smooth and trouble free (this is what I have).  If you can find a used one at a good price, buy it.

HR monitor, speed and cadence sensors, and either/both TrainerRoad or Zwift subscriptions.  If you want to use Zwift I would check their equipment requirements.  I think they require Bluetooth compatible sensors if you're using an IOS device (iPad or iPhone) to view the app. 

A relatively cheap alternative to actual power would be to find a used Powertap wheel.  Powertap is offering a new rear wheel with the G3 hub (latest version) for $500.  I wouldn't want to pay more than $300 for a used wheel unless it was a) a better wheel and b) had the G3 hub...of course, that's just me.

Many power profiles are available on line.  For example:  http://www.powercurvesensor.com/cycling-trainer-power-curves/

However, whether your particular trainer conforms to the published curve, under the particular circumstances in which you are using it (tire, pressure, temperature, efficiency of drive train, etc., etc.), is another question.

If you can borrow a power meter, you can make your own curve.

On the other hand, IMHO, the importance of accuracy of power meters is overrated.  Repeatability is relevant and the general shape of the curve is relevant, but not the absolute value.  You want '100W' today to be more or less the same as '100W' yesterday.  But if your PM says 100W when it is really 110W, who cares?

Power meters are great, but 98.73% of people will get more benefit from just riding more, and harder, than they would get from a PM.