# Optimal HRV vs Somnee

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Somnee at 63% against Optimal HRV's 17%. Somnee also leads on rating (3.7 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Optimal HRV's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Optimal HRV sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Somnee asks for nothing beyond the download.

Somnee holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24 and 71 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of Optimal HRV's written reviews are positive against 63% of Somnee's.

Optimal HRV ships an update fortnightly, Somnee every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Optimal HRV | Somnee |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optimal-hrv-biofeedback/id1501292206/reviews) | **[3.7 (71 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/somnee/id6445828473/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 24 | **71** |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews | **63.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 52 MB | 164 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Optimal, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1501292205) | [StimScience](https://appshunter.io/developer/1575603571) |

## What reviewers say

### Optimal HRV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optimal-hrv-biofeedback/id1501292206)

Monitor, analyze, and improve your Heart Rate Variability (HRV) scores. This app offers personalized training, biofeedback, and stress-reducing activities to enhance health, reduce stress, and improve mental clarity.

**Highlights:** Real-time HRV monitoring, Personalized training plans, Guided meditation and breathing exercises, Comprehensive data analysis, Stress response insights, Biofeedback optimization

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 month | $9.99 | per month |
| 6 Month | $47.99 | per 6 months |
| One Year | $59.99 | per year |


### Somnee

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/somnee/id6445828473)

This app works with a smart headband to improve sleep quality using personalized neurostimulation and EEG tracking. It provides detailed sleep reports and insights to help you sleep faster, longer, and deeper.

**Highlights:** Personalized sleep neurostimulation, Clinical-grade EEG sleep tracking, Detailed sleep performance reports, AI sleep coach, Phone-free session start, Comfortable, breathable headband design

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helps fall asleep faster
- 👍 Improves deep sleep quality
- 👍 Customer service is responsive and helpful
- 👍 App is easy to use
- 👍 Device is comfortable to wear

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App is buggy and unreliable
- 🐛 Device can be inaccurate in tracking sleep
- 🐛 Headband falls off frequently
- 🐛 Subscription model is mandatory and costly
- 🐛 Customer service can be unhelpful or evasive

**Reported bugs**

- App malfunctions and prevents use
- Sleep reports are delayed or unavailable
- Device asks for reset in the middle of the night but won't restart
- App stops tracking sleep if woken up and button is pressed
- Device inaccurately registers sleep patterns (e.g., REM sleep)

**Requested features**

- Add more sleep tones or meditation sounds
- Provide a better tutorial on data interpretation
- Improve headband design for comfort
- Offer bulk electrode sales
- Provide warranty on the headband


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Optimal HRV free?

Optimal HRV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Somnee free?

Somnee is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Optimal HRV or Somnee?

Somnee is rated higher. Optimal HRV averages 3.0 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while Somnee averages 3.7 from 71 ratings.

### Do Optimal HRV or Somnee have ads?

Neither Optimal HRV nor Somnee shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Optimal HRV or Somnee?

Optimal HRV ships an update fortnightly, and Somnee every 2 months. Most recently, Optimal HRV was updated on October 8, 2026 and Somnee on October 16, 2026.

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