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

iCardiac vs Instant Heart Rate

iCardiac 4.8★ · Free + IAP 40
Winner Instant Heart Rate
Instant Heart Rate 4.9★ · Free + IAP 70

Instant Heart Rate is the better choice for reliable heart rate monitoring, despite some recent issues, while iCardiac struggles with false advertising and functionality.

Full reviews: iCardiac · Instant Heart Rate

Instant Heart Rate generally provides accurate heart rate readings and is easy to use, though recent updates have caused some issues with data retention and compatibility. iCardiac, on the other hand, faces significant criticism for misleading claims about its free features and its ability to measure blood pressure and glucose.

Head to head

Features edge: Instant Heart RateR1R3R5R6
iCardiac iCardiac claims to offer blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood oxygen monitoring, but many users report these features are either non-existent, inaccurate, or locked behind a paywall R1R3R6R14. The heart rate monitor itself is appreciated by some for its convenience R5R19.
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate primarily focuses on heart rate monitoring, which users find helpful for tracking their health and workouts . Some users mention it can detect arrhythmias like AFib . However, some users were disappointed that it did not measure blood pressure as advertised . Recent updates have introduced issues, such as not reading low heart rates or only allowing short measurement periods in the free version .
Ease of Use edge: Instant Heart RateR7R9R15R18
iCardiac Users appreciate iCardiac's ease of use for heart rate monitoring . However, some report difficulty canceling free trials or subscriptions R9R18R20R26 and issues with the app not remembering user logins R7. Some also find the initial survey process too quick R15.
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate is generally considered simple, quick, and easy to operate . However, some users have experienced difficulties with the camera not turning on , issues with signing in or closing the keyboard , and problems with the app freezing or not detecting a pulse . There are also complaints about the app requiring an account to use .
Reliability & Accuracy edge: Instant Heart RateR3R7R16R19
iCardiac iCardiac receives mixed reviews on accuracy. Some users find it accurate and helpful for monitoring R47, especially for heart rate R19. However, many users report it is inaccurate, particularly for blood sugar and blood pressure readings R3R7R16. One user even reported it detected a heartbeat from their shoes .
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate is generally praised for its accuracy, with many users comparing it favorably to manual checks or other devices . However, some users have reported significant inaccuracies, with readings being vastly different from actual monitors or showing extreme fluctuations . There are also reports of lost readings after updates and compatibility issues with newer iPhone models .
Price & Value tieR3R7R9R10
iCardiac iCardiac is heavily criticized for false advertising regarding its 'free' status. Many users downloaded it expecting it to be free but were immediately prompted for subscriptions, often at high weekly rates like $9.99 R7R10R13R22. Some users felt trapped into subscriptions they couldn't cancel R3R9R20R26. A few users found the monthly price of $6.99 or the free heart rate feature to be good value .
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate also faces significant complaints about its pricing model. Users report being charged immediately after starting a 'free trial' for annual subscriptions ($60-$64) and having difficulty canceling . Some users appreciate the free version for heart rate monitoring .
Support tieR9R18R20R26
iCardiac Users report difficulty finding technical support or a way to cancel subscriptions within iCardiac R9R18R20R26.
Instant Heart Rate Instant Heart Rate users complain about horrible customer service and difficulty canceling memberships or getting refunds . Some also note a lack of directions or a way to ask questions within the app .
Pick iCardiac if

You are looking for a simple heart rate monitor and are comfortable navigating potential subscription traps, and you find its interface appealing R5R19.

Pick Instant Heart Rate if

You need a generally accurate and easy-to-use heart rate monitor, are willing to contend with occasional technical glitches or account requirements, and prioritize accuracy for heart rate over other vital signs .

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of negative reviews related to misleading 'free' claims and subscription issues, which skews recent sentiment. The free vs. paid asymmetry is strong here, with many negative reviews for both apps coming from users who felt tricked into paying or couldn't cancel subscriptions. iCardiac's claims of measuring blood pressure and blood sugar are frequently called out as false advertising, making it difficult to compare those features directly.

Frequently asked

Are iCardiac and Instant Heart Rate truly free?
Neither iCardiac nor Instant Heart Rate are completely free to use; both offer free downloads but quickly push users towards paid subscriptions, often charging immediately for annual plans (iCardiac: R7, R10, R13, R22, , , , , , , , ; Instant Heart Rate: , , , , , , , , , , , ).
Can these apps measure blood pressure or blood sugar?
Users widely report that iCardiac cannot accurately measure blood sugar or blood pressure, despite advertising these features, often calling it misleading R1R3R14R16. Instant Heart Rate also disappoints users who downloaded it expecting blood pressure readings, as it primarily focuses on heart rate .
How accurate are the heart rate readings?
Instant Heart Rate is generally considered accurate by many users, with some comparing it favorably to manual checks or medical devices . iCardiac receives mixed reviews on heart rate accuracy, with some finding it helpful R19R47 but others reporting it as inaccurate R3R7.

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. [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
  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. [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 …
  7. [R15] iCardiac 3/5 · US New Customer: This survey jumped the gun. I just started the app 5 minutes before survey and I’m locked in to answering good or bad before proceeding. Maybe you should take a look at giving that question more time to answer properly.
  8. [R18] iCardiac 1/5 · US Please cancel this app: I don’t want this any longer remove it
  9. [R16] iCardiac 1/5 · US Incorrect blood sugar levels: Tested my blood sugar at 120, the app says 85. Useless
  10. [R19] iCardiac 5/5 · US Heart rate: I love the way the heart rate works
  11. [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
  12. [R20] iCardiac 1/5 · US do not get: cannot cancel
  13. [R26] iCardiac 1/5 · US Don’t do it: It is a trap and I haven’t found a way to cancel it either!!!!
  14. [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!
  15. [R22] iCardiac 1/5 · US Be Careful: I thought this was supposed to be free. Next thing I knew I was immediately charged $9.99. I’d like my money refunded. It happened so quickly it said to click here and next thing I knew my credit card was charged.
  16. [R14] iCardiac 4/5 · US Blood sugar?: Can’t record blood sugar?
  17. [R47] iCardiac 5/5 · US Accurate: Keeps me on my feet and aware of my pressure.

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