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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Instant Heart Rate vs Heart Rate Monitor

Instant Heart Rate 4.9★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Instant Heart Rate
Heart Rate Monitor 4.6★ · Free + IAP 55

Instant Heart Rate (App A) is a slightly better choice for basic heart rate monitoring due to its higher reported accuracy and fewer complaints about intrusive ads, despite both apps having significant issues with their free trials and subscription models.

Full reviews: Instant Heart Rate · Heart Rate Monitor

Both Instant Heart Rate and Heart Rate Monitor offer similar functionality for checking heart rate via a phone camera. Instant Heart Rate generally receives higher marks for accuracy and ease of use, while Heart Rate Monitor struggles with frequent ads and more severe billing complaints.

Head to head

Accuracy edge: Instant Heart RateR5R8R14R23
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate receives mixed reviews on accuracy, with some users finding it very accurate, even comparing it favorably to manual checks or medical devices, while others report significant inaccuracies or issues with low heart rates R5R8R14R23.
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor also has conflicting reports on accuracy; some users find it reliable and comparable to medical devices, while others state it is extremely inaccurate .
Ease of Use edge: Instant Heart RateR9R12R18R19
Instant Heart Rate Users generally find Instant Heart Rate easy to use for taking readings, but recent updates have introduced issues like requiring login, camera malfunctions, and problems with reading low heart rates R9R12R18R19.
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor is generally considered easy to use for its core function, but some users find it complicated or experience crashes and issues with data input .
Features and Functionality tieR35R43R24R15
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate provides heart rate monitoring, logs results, and can generate a plethysmogram to detect arrhythmias, but some users report lost readings after updates and a desire for more comprehensive data storage and sharing R35R43R24R15.
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor measures heart rate and allows users to input blood pressure readings and notes, with some users wishing for more functions or the ability to measure oxygen levels .
Price and Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR1R4R7R28
Instant Heart Rate Many users complain that Instant Heart Rate is advertised as free but quickly pushes for paid subscriptions, often charging users immediately or after a 'free trial' for amounts like $11, $60, or $64 R1R4R7R28. The free version has become very limited, sometimes only allowing 7 seconds of measurement .
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor also faces strong criticism for its deceptive 'free trial' practices, with users being charged $50 or more for annual subscriptions even after canceling, and the free version being heavily interrupted by ads and subscription prompts .
Reliability and Support edge: Instant Heart RateR12R19R38R39
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate has issues with camera functionality, freezing, and not working with newer iPhone models R12R19R38R39. Customer service is described as horrible and unhelpful with refund requests . There are also concerns about privacy and inappropriate ads .
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor users report app crashes, incompatibility with iPads lacking a torch, and difficulty adjusting age settings . There are also reports of links to spam and difficulty reaching developers for refunds .
Pick Instant Heart Rate if

You need a basic heart rate monitor and are willing to navigate potential subscription issues, as its accuracy is generally better reported R14R23R32. You prioritize a smoother user experience over dealing with frequent ads .

Pick Heart Rate Monitor if

You primarily need to track your heart rate and input blood pressure readings, and are comfortable with an app that has frequent ads in its free version .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews related to their free trial and subscription practices, making it difficult to assess the core app functionality without this bias. The comparison on accuracy is based on user perception, which can vary widely.

Frequently asked

Are these apps truly free?
No, both Instant Heart Rate and Heart Rate Monitor are advertised as free but quickly push users towards paid subscriptions, often charging for annual plans (around $50-$64) immediately or after a deceptive 'free trial' R1R4R7R50.
How accurate are these heart rate apps?
User reviews for both apps show mixed results regarding accuracy; some find them surprisingly accurate and helpful, even comparing them to medical devices, while others report significant inaccuracies, with readings sometimes being wildly different from actual heart rates or other monitors R14R23R32R40.
Do these apps measure blood pressure or oxygen levels?
Neither app accurately measures blood pressure or oxygen levels directly from the finger, despite some advertising claims; Instant Heart Rate only takes pulse, and Heart Rate Monitor allows manual input of blood pressure readings but does not measure it R34R37R73R91.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R5] Instant Heart Rate 5/5 · US I think this is pretty accurate: I’ve been feeling weak and dizzy due to my heart rate going up. This helps me know when my heart is going above 100 bpm and when I need to lay down.
  2. [R8] Instant Heart Rate 5/5 · US Its okay I guess: The app is nice, helpful but is it really true? Either way..it has really helped me a lot in the past month and days too and pretty good anyway over all it seems pretty accurate oh and by the way can you add a iPad version please and thank you?
  3. [R14] Instant Heart Rate 5/5 · US Most accurate!: I downloaded three apps and one said my bpm was 53, one said 72, and this one said 117. I checked my bpm manually and I got 116.
  4. [R23] Instant Heart Rate 5/5 · US Accurate: It actually reads right
  5. [R9] Instant Heart Rate 3/5 · US Works well, won’t read low HR: App is easy to use and works well. Only problem is, since the new update, it won’t work for a heart rate less than 40 bpm. Sometimes my heart rate can be 38-39. If this is true (per my watch), the app glitches and won’t register it. It just doesn’t work!!! This didn’t used to be true, only since a recent update. Very annoying!!
  6. [R12] Instant Heart Rate 3/5 · US Great app when the Camera works: Half the time the camera won’t turn on on my IPhone. Meaning I cannot use the app properly. It’s a 50/50 shot whether or not it works for me.
  7. [R18] Instant Heart Rate 3/5 · US Deleted: I used to live this app but New version won’t let you use unless you log on with your email and create an account. Immediately deleted ! There are alternatives in Apple Store that won’t require account creation
  8. [R19] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Terrible do NOT get.: my friend wanted me to get this app to reacted to different names when she mentioned them, and it DOESN’T work at all. It keeps telling me to gently place my index finger over my camera lens, but I do MULTIPLE times and it doesn’t work! I also have a pretty new IPhone so it should work.
  9. [R35] Instant Heart Rate 5/5 · US Surprisingly accurate: This app is a quick and easy way to find your pulse and automatically log past results. The free version also generates a plethysmogram which detects AFib and other arrhythmias.
  10. [R43] Instant Heart Rate 4/5 · US Used to work: Doesn’t store any information of previous readings anymore
  11. [R24] Instant Heart Rate 3/5 · US lost readings with update: App was working great for me. Recently did the update and lost almost all my BP readings. Lost the entire month of July and most of August.
  12. [R15] Instant Heart Rate 3/5 · US Could be more useful: The info it collects is helpful, except it only retains part of the data collected from each test. It would be far more useful for me if the whole chart was stored and shareable the same way it’s collected. Also, if I use it 3X in a row, sitting in the same chair, same position, I get 3 very different measurements. Not sure why. So it’s not very useful for me now. If I knew
  13. [R1] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Not Free: Not Free
  14. [R4] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Not happy: Cancelled membership but was still charged 64 for something I never even used
  15. [R7] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Be Aware this App isn’t Accurate, Don’t Waste Your Money!: This app is fine if you’re using the free version. It’s not accurate, which is why purchasing any paid subscription is not worth it. Save your money and find a different app that can actually detect your heart rate. I accidentally paid for a year long subscription for $60 when I thought I’d try out the paid version for a free 3 day trial,
  16. [R28] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US They try to charge you fast: They tried to take 60 dollars before the free trial was even over! Dont use this.
  17. [R38] Instant Heart Rate 5/5 · US Not working with IPhone upgrade: Will not detect heart rate on new iPhone 17pro
  18. [R39] Instant Heart Rate 3/5 · GB Almost works sometimes: This is a very clever app making use of the rear camera and the light, and when it works it takes about 30s, and when it doesn't you can spend 30 minutes trying different fingers and placing it near the light over the light at different angles and the app just doesn't want to detect your finger.
  19. [R50] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Started 3 day trial, immediately charged: I started the three day free trial, and was immediately charged $11.04. Scam. I’m not going thru a dispute for $11, but I will let everyone know anywhere I can.
  20. [R32] Instant Heart Rate 5/5 · US love this app detected heart palpitations and bracyacardia: i started using this app when i kept feeling random strong beats and it detected heart palpitations so i went to the doctor and I’m now getting a monitor in the next two weeks it’s very accurate and consistent Side note: it is not an ekg it shows the rhythm of your heart
  21. [R40] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Pathetic: This monitor is honestly pathetic. I compared it with my 68 year old dads actual heart rate blood pressure monitor and it was so different compared to the inaccurate readings that this thing gives… this thing made me feel like I was dying with its BPM feedback. What a scam. I hope this thing gets shut down because I honestly can’t imagine how many people actually believe it’s lies
  22. [R34] Instant Heart Rate 2/5 · US Not at all what I thought: Mainly got this app for B/P. The app would only take my pulse
  23. [R37] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Finger BP?: Several of this type of health app advertise having the ability to take BP directly from a finger. Blatant false advertising and they all need to take that down. If you want BP you will have to have a BP cuff.
  24. [R73] Heart Rate Monitor 2/5 · US App is deceiving: Can’t measure oxygen level
  25. [R91] Heart Rate Monitor 1/5 · US BP: Does not accurately detect bp

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store