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

Instant Heart Rate vs InPulse

Instant Heart Rate 4.9★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Instant Heart Rate
InPulse 4.6★ · Free + IAP 50

Instant Heart Rate is generally preferred for its perceived accuracy and ease of use, despite recent issues with updates and subscription practices, while InPulse struggles with similar accuracy concerns and aggressive monetization.

Full reviews: Instant Heart Rate · InPulse

Instant Heart Rate (App A) and InPulse (App B) both offer heart rate monitoring via phone cameras, but user reviews indicate Instant Heart Rate has a slight edge in perceived accuracy and historical reliability. Both apps face significant criticism regarding deceptive free trials, unwanted charges, and recent functionality issues with updates and newer iPhone models.

Head to head

Accuracy and Reliability edge: Instant Heart RateR5R7R8R9
Instant Heart Rate Many users find Instant Heart Rate to be accurate and helpful for monitoring their heart rate, with some even using it to detect potential health issues like palpitations R5R8. However, a significant number of recent reviews report the app is inaccurate, gives wildly fluctuating readings, or fails to detect heart rates outside a certain range R7R9.
InPulse InPulse users also report mixed experiences with accuracy, with some finding it helpful and reliable while others state it consistently reads too high, gives inconsistent results, or can even be tricked by non-biological objects .
Ease of Use and Features edge: Instant Heart RateR12R13R18R19
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate is praised for its simplicity, quick measurements, and ease of use . However, recent updates have introduced issues like requiring an account to use R13R18, camera malfunctions R12R19, and compatibility problems with newer iPhone models R38R41. Some users also find the measurement duration too short in the free version .
InPulse InPulse is also described as easy to use and navigate by some . A significant point of frustration for InPulse users is the app's misleading advertising regarding blood pressure monitoring, as it only measures pulse and requires manual logging for BP R34R89R97. It also suffers from compatibility issues with newer iPhones R63.
Price and Value tieR1R4R6R7
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate is widely criticized for deceptive billing practices, with users reporting being charged immediately after starting a 'free trial' or being unable to cancel subscriptions R1R4R6R7. Many feel the paid version offers poor value due to accuracy issues or lost features R7.
InPulse InPulse faces similar, if not more severe, complaints about its monetization. Users frequently report being charged for subscriptions despite signing up for a 'free trial' or being unable to cancel . Many feel the app is not truly free and that the paid features offer little value, especially given the misleading claims about blood pressure monitoring .
Customer Support and Privacy tieR10R13R16R18
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate users report horrible customer service, difficulty canceling subscriptions, and a lack of response to issues R16R42. Concerns about privacy and the requirement to create an account are also noted R10R13R18.
InPulse InPulse users also complain about unresponsive customer service, particularly when trying to resolve billing issues or access paid content . The app's aggressive monetization and misleading advertising contribute to a perception of poor customer care.
Pick Instant Heart Rate if

You prioritize an app with a higher lifetime rating and a history of being perceived as accurate by many users, and you are willing to navigate potential issues with recent updates and subscription management R5R8.

Pick InPulse if

You are looking for a very simple heart rate monitor and are aware that it does not measure blood pressure, and you are cautious about subscription offers .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, particularly regarding their monetization strategies and recent functionality issues. The lifetime ratings are high, but recent reviews are heavily skewed negative, indicating a decline in user satisfaction.

Frequently asked

Do these apps accurately measure blood pressure?
No, neither Instant Heart Rate nor InPulse accurately measure blood pressure directly from a finger; they primarily measure heart rate, and any blood pressure logging feature requires manual input R34R37R89R97.
Are the 'free trials' truly free for these apps?
Many users report that the 'free trials' for both Instant Heart Rate and InPulse are deceptive, leading to immediate charges or difficulty canceling before being billed for a full subscription, often around $60-70 for Instant Heart Rate and $20-40 for InPulse R4R7R28R42.
Do these apps work with newer iPhone models?
Some users report that both Instant Heart Rate and InPulse have compatibility issues with newer iPhone models, specifically the iPhone 17 Pro Max, where the camera or flash functionality needed for readings does not work correctly R38R41R63.

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. [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,
  3. [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?
  4. [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!!
  5. [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.
  6. [R13] Instant Heart Rate 2/5 · US Pushy: Kind of pushy that another app needs you to make an account to use it(presumably to sell your info)
  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. [R1] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Not Free: Not Free
  10. [R4] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Not happy: Cancelled membership but was still charged 64 for something I never even used
  11. [R6] Instant Heart Rate 3/5 · US Nice app: Overall it’s a nice app, me personally I found better. I uninstalled the app after using it for a few hrs and realized it isn’t for me. But ever since it keeps trying to charge my card 64$ I went back to delete my whole account and it tried to charge my card again! Good thing is my card was locked.
  12. [R10] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Bad privacy: I bet nobody actually reads the privacy policy. Read it.
  13. [R16] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Horrible customer service: I decided to delete and they are obnoxious and offensive making it difficult to exit.
  14. [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
  15. [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.
  16. [R89] InPulse 1/5 · US Disappointed: I thought this app measured and log in blood pressure. It does not . In fact it doesn’t do anything that I need. Regret this purchase. It is not useful to me! I’d like to cancel my subscription.
  17. [R97] InPulse 1/5 · US Blood pressure: This app doesn’t have access to check the blood pressure as they advertise. Don’t subscribe it
  18. [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.
  19. [R42] Instant Heart Rate 1/5 · US Not happy: It does tell you what your heart rate is. It gives you a 3 day free trial. However, if you decide you do not want the subscription, there is no way to cancel it. You will still be charged and apple will not refund. They stole $64.36 from me. When I finally got a response from someone from customer service from this app, they told me they can’t issue any refunds, only Apple can. And I do
  20. [R38] Instant Heart Rate 5/5 · US Not working with IPhone upgrade: Will not detect heart rate on new iPhone 17pro
  21. [R41] Instant Heart Rate 4/5 · US Great app but needs update: Not compatible with the new IPhone 17 Promax. Please fix this!
  22. [R63] InPulse 3/5 · US Doesn’t work with iPhone 17 promax: I used this all the time on my 14 promax, zero issues. The 17 promax has 1 clear panel over all of the lenses and the flash - so it cannot get a read on my pulse, at all. It has captured 2 readings but they were way off. I loved this app, so I’m very disappointed. I will have to find a new trustworthy heart app, which is impossible on the App Store.

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