# SimpleHR vs Zone 2

The clearest difference is price: Zone 2 at Free against SimpleHR's $0.99. Zone 2 also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.0) and review sentiment (74% vs 43%). SimpleHR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Zone 2 is free to download; SimpleHR costs $0.99 up front. Zone 2 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. SimpleHR asks for nothing beyond the download.

Zone 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Zone 2 has 241 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 43% of SimpleHR's written reviews are positive against 74% of Zone 2's.

SimpleHR ships an update every 4 months, Zone 2 weekly. The most recent releases landed on August 21, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SimpleHR | Zone 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.0 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplehr/id1423380197/reviews) | **[4.6 (241 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zone-2-heart-rate-training/id6444690892/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 13 | **241** |
| Positive reviews | 42.9% of reviews | **74.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 1 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, Apple Watch | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aaron Sullivan](https://appshunter.io/developer/1590674637) | [Shannon Bolick](https://appshunter.io/developer/976434392) |

## What reviewers say

### SimpleHR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplehr/id1423380197)

Displays your current heart rate in large, easy-to-read text on your Apple Watch. Integrates with Apple HealthKit to provide real-time heart rate data, ideal for activities like running or cycling. Customize target zones and activity settings via the companion iPhone app.

**Highlights:** Large heart rate display, Apple HealthKit integration, Customizable heart rate zones, Activity and location settings, Companion iPhone app

**In-app purchases:** none


### Zone 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zone-2-heart-rate-training/id6444690892)

This app helps you track your weekly workout time spent in the Zone 2 heart rate range. It provides detailed tracking, connectivity with various heart rate monitors and Strava, and real-time feedback on your progress towards your fitness goals.

**Highlights:** Weekly, monthly, and daily zone tracking, Strava connectivity, Home and Lock Screen widgets, Bluetooth heart rate monitor compatibility, Apple Watch app with live feedback, Heart rate zone calculator

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock All - Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Unlock All - Yearly | $39.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- ⏱️ Accurate real-time zone tracking during workouts
- 📊 Comprehensive cumulative time tracking by zone
- 🎯 Customizable heart rate zones and weekly goals
- 🔗 Seamless integration with Apple Health and HR monitors

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent Bluetooth disconnections from HR monitors
- 🐛 App crashes and freezes mid-workout
- 🐛 Tracking stops randomly during workouts
- 📵 Portrait-only orientation (doesn't support landscape properly)
- 💳 Pricing confusion and unexpected charges

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 16 with latest iOS
- Watch disconnects constantly during workouts
- Tracking stops mid-workout without saving data
- Bluetooth connectivity issues with Polar and other HR monitors
- App freezes at various points during exercise

**Requested features**

- Calorie burn tracking and display
- Landscape orientation support for treadmills and rowers
- More specific workout categories beyond provided options
- Music control integration (play, pause, skip)
- Step tracking during workouts


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SimpleHR free?

SimpleHR costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Zone 2 free?

Zone 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SimpleHR or Zone 2?

Zone 2 is rated higher. SimpleHR averages 4.0 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Zone 2 averages 4.6 from 241 ratings.

### Do SimpleHR or Zone 2 have ads?

Neither SimpleHR nor Zone 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SimpleHR or Zone 2?

SimpleHR ships an update every 4 months, and Zone 2 weekly. Most recently, SimpleHR was updated on August 21, 2026 and Zone 2 on September 27, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*