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

iCardiac vs InPulse

iCardiac 4.8★ · Free + IAP 55
Winner iCardiac
InPulse 4.6★ · Free to download 50

Both iCardiac and InPulse face significant criticism for misleading free claims and inaccurate readings, but iCardiac has a slight edge due to some users finding its heart rate monitoring useful and accurate, despite the pricing issues.

Both iCardiac and InPulse are heart rate monitoring apps that face widespread user complaints about false advertising regarding free access and inaccurate readings. While iCardiac has a slightly higher lifetime rating, both apps struggle with user trust due to unexpected subscription charges and difficulty canceling services, making it hard to recommend either without significant caveats.

Head to head

Features and Functionality tieR1R2R5R6
iCardiac iCardiac is advertised to check blood pressure and blood sugar, but many users report it only provides heart rate monitoring, or requires subscriptions for other features R1R6R14R24. Some users find the heart rate monitoring useful and informative, appreciating the convenience of checking it throughout the day R2R5. However, there are also complaints about the app freezing and not working .
InPulse InPulse primarily focuses on heart rate monitoring, with some users finding it easy to use and helpful for peace of mind . Similar to iCardiac, many users express disappointment that it does not measure blood pressure or blood sugar as advertised, or that these features are only for manual logging . Some users also report the app not working or freezing .
Accuracy and Reliability tieR5R7R16R24
iCardiac Users have conflicting experiences with iCardiac's accuracy. Some find it accurate for heart rate and blood pressure R5, while others report it as inaccurate, especially for blood sugar R7R16R24. One user noted it registered a heartbeat on a shoe . There are also reports of the app freezing .
InPulse InPulse also receives mixed reviews on accuracy. Some users find it accurate and reliable for heart rate , but many others report inconsistent or incorrect readings, with heart rates jumping significantly or being off by a large margin . One user even tested it on a Coca-Cola can and got a reading .
Ease of Use tieR7R9R18R20
iCardiac Some users find iCardiac easy to use for heart rate monitoring . However, many complaints revolve around the difficulty of canceling free trials or subscriptions, indicating poor user experience in managing accounts R9R18R20R26. The app also sometimes fails to remember user logins R7.
InPulse InPulse is generally described as easy to navigate and use for basic heart rate monitoring . However, a significant number of users report issues with canceling subscriptions or free trials, suggesting a difficult and frustrating account management process R76.
Price and Value tieR3R6R7R10
iCardiac iCardiac is heavily criticized for false advertising regarding its 'free' status. Many users downloaded it expecting a free app, only to be charged $9.99/week, $9.99/month, or $40/month immediately R3R6R7R10. Some users feel it's a scam and not worth the cost, especially if it only provides heart rate monitoring . A few users, however, find the monthly price of $6.99 reasonable for the features .
InPulse InPulse also faces strong criticism for its pricing model and misleading 'free' claims. Users report being charged for subscriptions ($20, $39.99/year) after signing up for a 'free trial' or downloading the 'free' app, with core features locked behind a paywall . Many feel it's a scam and not worth paying for features that can be found free elsewhere or with a cheap pulse oximeter .
Customer Support and Transparency tieR7R9R10R13
iCardiac Users report difficulty finding ways to cancel free trials or subscriptions and inability to contact technical support R9R18R20R26. Many reviews highlight a lack of transparency in advertising, with the app claiming to be 'completely free' but immediately charging users or locking features behind a paywall R7R10R13.
InPulse InPulse users also struggle with canceling subscriptions and report receiving no response to emails when trying to resolve billing issues R76. The app is widely criticized for false advertising, claiming to be free or offer a free trial, but then immediately charging users or requiring payment for basic functionality .
Pick iCardiac if

Pick iCardiac if you are primarily looking for a heart rate monitor and are willing to pay for a subscription, as some users find its heart rate feature useful and accurate R5.

Pick InPulse if

Pick InPulse if you are looking for a simple heart rate monitor and are prepared to navigate potential subscription issues, as some users appreciate its ease of use and the peace of mind it provides .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews, primarily centered on misleading 'free' claims, unexpected charges, and perceived inaccuracy of readings, especially for blood pressure and blood sugar. The positive reviews often praise the heart rate monitoring, but these are overshadowed by the widespread complaints about pricing and transparency. The lifetime ratings are relatively high, but recent reviews skew heavily negative, suggesting a decline in user satisfaction or a change in monetization strategy.

Frequently asked

Are iCardiac and InPulse truly free to use?
No, neither iCardiac nor InPulse are truly free to use, despite advertising claims; both apps are free to download but require subscriptions, often costing $9.99 per week or $39.99 per year, to access most features R7R13R32R40.
Can these apps measure blood pressure or blood sugar?
Reviews indicate that neither iCardiac nor InPulse can accurately measure blood pressure or blood sugar using only a smartphone; they primarily offer heart rate monitoring and may only allow manual logging of other vitals, leading to user disappointment and claims of false advertising R1R14R24R30.
Is it difficult to cancel subscriptions for these apps?
Yes, many users report significant difficulty canceling subscriptions or free trials for both iCardiac and InPulse, with some unable to find cancellation options or continuing to be billed after attempting to cancel R9R20R26R76.

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] iCardiac 1/5 · US Misleading information: Not for blood sugar and blood pressure
  2. [R2] iCardiac 5/5 · US Contento: Parece ser una gran app y muy útil
  3. [R5] iCardiac 5/5 · US icardiac: Awesome Blood pressure and heart rate reader
  4. [R6] iCardiac 3/5 · US Glucose check: Please advise in your summary that the only free part of this app is the heart rate application. I was looking for a glucose check on my iPhone but I have to subscribe to a plan. I don’t need a plan I’ve already got a doctors plan just need to quick check glucose at times.
  5. [R7] iCardiac 1/5 · US Waste of time: I downloaded the app and it was not free as it claimed in the beginning. So I paid about $45 for nothing. It’s definitely inaccurate and every time I open it, the app doesn’t remember me.. By the way the blood pressure app has the same problem. Waste of money. Please tell me how I can request a refund.
  6. [R16] iCardiac 1/5 · US Incorrect blood sugar levels: Tested my blood sugar at 120, the app says 85. Useless
  7. [R24] iCardiac 1/5 · US THIS APP CANT DO WHAT IT CLAIMS. THEY ARE LYING TO YOU IN HOPES THAT YOU’LL LIKE THEIR APP AND USE: There have been a couple apps like this that mislead you into thinking they can read blood glucose. At best they can read from other devices or store the info you put into their app. I will never buy an app from developers who mislead me like this because they have no integrity and will do it aga
  8. [R9] iCardiac 3/5 · US Cancel free trial: I can’t find in settings how to cancel the free trial.. I don’t want to use the app.. there is no way to talk to technical support …
  9. [R18] iCardiac 1/5 · US Please cancel this app: I don’t want this any longer remove it
  10. [R20] iCardiac 1/5 · US do not get: cannot cancel
  11. [R3] iCardiac 3/5 · US heart rate blood pressure reading.: very disappointed. lost 39.00 and stuck for a year. stupid me bought for year by mistake. not convinced it actually reads true readings. save your money
  12. [R10] iCardiac 1/5 · US another one: another lie to get you to download, seen a ad says completely free, not completely free to download but completely free period!! why can’t people that produce these apps just be truthful? it’s not hard to do and is the only right way to be!! Deleting app don’t want to pay for something like this and probably don’t don’t work? there’s a reason hospitals use precision tools for checking
  13. [R13] iCardiac 1/5 · US IS NOT FREE AT ALL: On the advertising it says “and it is free”. Yeah free to download and fill out all the questions but not FREE to use. You should be putting that information in your advertising so people don’t waste their time. Or clarify that to use it is 9.99 a WEEK!
  14. [R32] iCardiac 1/5 · US False Advertisement: Not completely free as advertised it cost $9.99/week
  15. [R40] iCardiac 1/5 · US False Advertising: I downloaded it because they advertised it as “completely free.” I deleted it when I found out it was $9.99 A WEEK!
  16. [R14] iCardiac 4/5 · US Blood sugar?: Can’t record blood sugar?
  17. [R30] iCardiac 1/5 · US Lies lies lies .: I’m just so tired of these apps that say they They are going to check my blood sugar and they lie. Nothing on here. Says it will check my blood sugar. So I deleted it right away. This is like the 10th one you should be very cautious. And delete delete it and leave a negative review.
  18. [R26] iCardiac 1/5 · US Don’t do it: It is a trap and I haven’t found a way to cancel it either!!!!
  19. [R76] InPulse 1/5 · US Not happy: I’m trying to cancel my subscription but u won’t let me

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