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

Cardiio vs Heart Rate Monitor

Cardiio 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Cardiio
Heart Rate Monitor 4.6★ · Free + IAP 55

Cardiio is the better choice for a heart rate monitoring app due to its generally more reliable readings and fewer complaints about aggressive monetization, despite some signal quality issues.

Full reviews: Cardiio · Heart Rate Monitor

Cardiio and Heart Rate Monitor both offer camera-based heart rate tracking, but Cardiio generally receives higher praise for its accuracy and ease of use, even with some users experiencing 'poor signal quality' errors. Heart Rate Monitor, while also functional for some, is heavily criticized for its aggressive in-app purchase prompts and misleading free trial practices.

Head to head

Accuracy and Reliability edge: CardiioR1R2R4R7
Cardiio Cardiio users report mixed experiences with accuracy and reliability. Many find it easy and accurate for monitoring their heart rate, even for those with heart conditions R2R14. However, a significant number of users frequently encounter 'poor signal quality' errors, making it difficult to get a reading R1R4R7. Some also note issues with newer iPhone models R18R21R34R36.
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor receives conflicting feedback on accuracy. Some users find it reliable and accurate, even comparing it favorably to medical devices . Conversely, many reviews state the app is inaccurate, gives wrong readings, or is inconsistent .
Ease of Use edge: CardiioR2R3R14R18
Cardiio Cardiio is generally considered simple and easy to use by many R2R14. However, some users find it difficult to get a reading, requiring them to sit still or adjust finger placement, especially on newer iPhones R3R18R21.
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor is described as easy to use by some , but others find it complicated . A major impediment to ease of use is the constant bombardment of ads and subscription prompts, which interrupt the measurement process .
Features and Functionality tieR5R9R14R16
Cardiio Cardiio provides basic heart rate monitoring and can track irregular rhythms . Users appreciate its ability to monitor pulse anywhere without a smartwatch R14. Some users express a desire for additional features like blood pressure monitoring or ECG waveforms, which the app does not provide R5R16. There are reports of crashes when accessing the insights tab or saving heartbeats R9, and issues with connecting to third-party devices .
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor offers heart rate measurement and the ability to add notes . Some users mistakenly expect blood pressure or oxygen level monitoring, which the app does not offer R63R73. There are complaints about crashes when selecting buttons and issues with data display and format . The app also has problems with age adjustment and account sign-in .
Price and Value edge: CardiioR9R10R39R40
Cardiio Cardiio is a Free + IAP app. Some users appreciate the free version R9R39 but others feel it's a 'scam' as it demands money after download or charges before the free trial ends R10R40R43R55. There are complaints about being charged for a subscription after cancellation R40R43R55.
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor is also a Free + IAP app, but it faces significant criticism for its monetization strategy. Many users report being charged for a subscription even after canceling a free trial . The app is described as not truly free, with constant demands for payment and numerous ads that hinder usage .
Customer Support tieR6R12R24R43
Cardiio Cardiio users report poor or no response from developers when trying to resolve issues or cancel subscriptions R6R12R43. There's also a concern about the FAQ section linking to a gambling site R24.
Heart Rate Monitor Heart Rate Monitor users also struggle to reach developers for refunds or to resolve billing issues . One user received an email response that did not address their specific problem .
Pick Cardiio if

You need a straightforward heart rate monitor and are willing to tolerate occasional 'poor signal' errors, especially if you have an older iPhone model or are careful with finger placement R2R14.

Pick Heart Rate Monitor if

You are looking for a basic heart rate monitor and are prepared to navigate frequent ads and subscription prompts, or if you find its readings particularly accurate for your needs .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of complaints regarding their free trial and subscription models, indicating potential issues with user understanding or app practices. Cardiio's negative reviews are more focused on technical issues like signal quality, while Heart Rate Monitor's are heavily skewed towards aggressive monetization and billing problems.

Frequently asked

Do these apps offer blood pressure or ECG monitoring?
Neither Cardiio nor Heart Rate Monitor offer blood pressure or ECG waveform monitoring; they are primarily for heart rate (pulse) measurement R5R16R63R73.
Are the free trials truly free?
Many users for both apps report being charged for subscriptions even after canceling free trials, indicating that the free trial experience can be problematic R10R40R43R55.
Do these apps work well with newer iPhone models?
Cardiio users report difficulties getting accurate readings and 'poor signal' errors on newer iPhone models, such as the iPhone 11, 12, 15, and 17 Pro, due to camera and flash positioning R18R21R34R36.

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. [R1] Cardiio 1/5 · US Poor signal quality?: I will watch as the app measures my heart rate and stays in a very narrow range as I hold my finger over the camera for however long. It seems perfect, but then it just says “poor signal quality” with no other explanation. The signal quality was in fact not poor as I watched the data being collected and it seemed to be very consistent throughout the entire process. I need to
  2. [R2] Cardiio 5/5 · US Makes it simple!: I enjoy checking my bpm with this makes it so easy
  3. [R4] Cardiio 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: Every time I used it, it measured the heart rate for quite a long time. Then, at the very end, it said “poor signal” and terminated. This is a terrible product. I deleted it, and I don’t miss it at all.
  4. [R7] Cardiio 1/5 · US Didn’t work: Every time I tried said poor signal and couldn’t do a reading no matter how I adjusted the light and camera. Other similar apps worked much better and actually worked. Disappointed.
  5. [R3] Cardiio 3/5 · US I like the app but I don’t like it: You literally got to sit still no movement period or it will not register. You guys need to fix that issue.
  6. [R14] Cardiio 5/5 · US Great App: Love how I can easily check my heart rate anywhere and anytime, especially if I’m not wearing my smartwatch.
  7. [R18] Cardiio 3/5 · US No longer accurate on iphone11: I loved this app to keep track of my irregular Heart rhythm when I had it in iphone8. It was very accurate. I upgraded to iphone11 and now it’s complete rubbish. It’s near impossible to get an accurate reading now. I guess it’s the light and camera lens positioning on the newer iPhone.
  8. [R5] Cardiio 5/5 · US No blood monitors: I’m enjoying the app but the only issue I have is that there is no blood monitor
  9. [R9] Cardiio 3/5 · US It will be best if the problems will be solved: It always crash when i go to insight tab or i save a heartbeat but its good to being free
  10. [R16] Cardiio 1/5 · US Buyer Beware: I thought by the “ heart rate checker and beat analyzer” description that this would actually give me a wave form like an ECG. All it does is give you the whip more like a pulse ox. I’m capable of counting my own pulse so this was a disappointment for me. I’m hoping to get a refund as it’s just been about an hour since I bought it and realized that it wasn’t what I thought it was.
  11. [R10] Cardiio 1/5 · US Scam: Claims it’s free, demands money for use after download.
  12. [R39] Cardiio 3/5 · US Useful enough...: The app is useful enough to get a roughly accurate pulse but so many things can go wrong with a reading (finger moving slightly, finger being cold, etc), I can’t see buying the pro version. The free version is great for approx heart rate.
  13. [R40] Cardiio 1/5 · US Cancelled before free trial expired: I did not subscribe to this thing. They are charging me for it.
  14. [R6] Cardiio 3/5 · US Better Cardio Apps out there: I am having a problem with this app, and it is virtually impossible getting the developer to respond to my concerns.
  15. [R12] Cardiio 3/5 · US No response: Got the app It keeps waking me up with a reminder, wanted to stop it. Sent request for help same question four times So far no response
  16. [R24] Cardiio 3/5 · US FAQs??: What’s up with your FAQ section. It defaults to a gambling site in a foreign language. Has your app been hacked???
  17. [R43] Cardiio 1/5 · US Tried to delete: This might be fantastic for those following it. I realized it wasn’t for me, so contacted them to stop billing & cancel my account. They won’t respond. So much for free trial! Zero impressed!
  18. [R63] Heart Rate Monitor 3/5 · US Was expecting different: Was expecting bp checker. Will change my stars when I’m sure I have my money refunded. I had the app for five minutes before I cancelled.
  19. [R73] Heart Rate Monitor 2/5 · US App is deceiving: Can’t measure oxygen level
  20. [R55] Cardiio 1/5 · US Beware: I signed up for a free trial and Apple billed me the very first day
  21. [R21] Cardiio 3/5 · US Pretty accurate: Difficulty placing finger in the correct position on iPhone 15
  22. [R34] Cardiio 1/5 · US Isn’t working properly: It was working excellent on iPhone 16 pro max but on iPhone 17 pro max 8 out of 10 times says poor signal!!!
  23. [R36] Cardiio 3/5 · US It won’t measure my heart rate now: I have had this app for awhile and it worked very well. Now it won’t measure without covering the flash, it didn’t do that before. I have 3 cameras and it worked fine before that.

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