Comparison

HRV Train vs Barbellr

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

HRV Train

This app uses heart rate variability biofeedback to help you reduce stress and increase resilience. It displays real-time heart rate data to help you learn to manage relaxation and activation levels. Your data is kept private on your device.

Highlights
  • Heart rate variability biofeedback
  • Real-time heart rate display
  • Stress level indicator
  • Learn relaxation techniques
  • Data privacy
  • Bluetooth LE heart rate monitor compatible
Features
Read full description

HRV Train is a simple and effective heart rate variability biofeedback app that you can use to to reduce stress and increase resilience. HRV Train also keeps your data private. The app does not send any of your data off the iOS device unless you specifically email it to someone. HRV Train is similar to HRV Trace, but it lacks any audio or video recording capacity within the app. HRV Train was created at the request of people who did not need the recording capability. THERE IS NO UPGRADE PATH FROM HRV TRAIN TO HRV TRACE as the database structures for these apps are completely different. If you know you want to use audio/video recording with your heart rate trace displayed on the video, then you should get HRV Trace. HRV Train displays your beat-to-beat heart rate and activity level in real-time on the screen. The shape of the heart rate graph can give you immediate information about your stress level. Certain shapes are associated with higher states of stress and certain shapes are related to lower states. By using HRV Train to see your heart rate in real-time you can learn how to modulate your level of relaxation or activation to best suit the needs of the situation. You can learn to slow down when it's appropriate to rest and you can learn to shift into a ready state when you need to be calm under pressure. HRV Train is meant to assist with stress-management and resilience and is not to be used to treat any medical condition. HRV Train requires a separate heart rate monitor that will transmit heart rate data via BlueTooth LE to your iOS device. The app has been tested with the following monitors: the Polar H7 and H10, the Cardiosport TP3, TP5 and TP5+, and the Zephyr HxM Smart,

About

Barbellr

This workout tracker helps lifters log exercises, monitor personal records, and follow structured training plans to maximize strength gains. It offers a streamlined experience without accounts or advertisements.

Highlights
  • Log lifts quickly
  • Track personal records (PRs)
  • Train in structured blocks
  • Peak strength development
  • No account required
  • Ad-free experience
Features
Read full description

Barbellr is a workout tracker built for lifters who want to make real progress. Log your lifts in seconds, track your PRs, and stay consistent with your programme. No accounts. No ads. No fluff.

Screenshots

HRV Train4 screens
Barbellr3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Barbellr at 100% against HRV Train's 0%. Barbellr also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.3) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 27 months). HRV Train's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

HRV Train costs $4.99 and Barbellr $0.99 up front. Barbellr sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. HRV Train asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Barbellr holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of HRV Train's written reviews are positive against 100% of Barbellr's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HRV Train ships an update every 27 months, Barbellr every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
HRV Train versus Barbellr: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHRV TrainBarbellr
Price$4.99$0.99 — better
Rating2.3 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 27 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIbernetics, LLCTomas Hreidarsson

Customer experience

HRV Train

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Barbellr

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

HRV Train

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Barbellr

One-time4
  • Small Tip$0.49
  • Medium Tip$0.99
  • Large Tip$1.99
Show 1 more
  • Giant Tip$3.99

Questions

Is HRV Train free?
HRV Train costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Barbellr free?
Barbellr costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HRV Train or Barbellr?
Barbellr is rated higher. HRV Train averages 2.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Barbellr averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do HRV Train or Barbellr have ads?
Neither HRV Train nor Barbellr shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HRV Train or Barbellr?
HRV Train ships an update every 27 months, and Barbellr every 2 months. Most recently, HRV Train was updated on October 24, 2026 and Barbellr on October 20, 2026.

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