Comparison

HRV4Biofeedback vs Sounds True

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

Head to head
About

HRV4Biofeedback

This app uses your phone's camera to measure heart rate variability and provide biofeedback. It guides you through deep breathing exercises to improve self-regulation and manage stress. Track your progress and explore correlations with your daily experiences.

Highlights
  • Camera-based HRV measurement
  • Real-time heart rate feedback
  • Resonant frequency analysis
  • Biofeedback score
  • Subjective annotations
  • HealthKit integration
  • Bluetooth sensor support
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Improve self-regulation and better cope with stress using HRV4Biofeedback, the camera-based Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Biofeedback app APP FEATURES: > camera-based biofeedback measurement showing real-time heart rate > spot check measurements at rest > frequency power spectrum > biofeedback score to quantify the effectiveness of the practice in terms of deep breathing and duration > resonant frequency analysis to determine the optimal breathing rate for your sessions > semi-real time HRV analysis > alternative manual breathing rate configuration between 4.5 and 8.5 breaths / minute > subjective annotations, including up to 5 personalized questions > current streak > explore correlations between subjective annotations and biofeedback data > Integration with HealthKit (you can write heart rate, HRV and Mindful minutes) > weekly and monthly summaries > support for Bluetooth sensors > background nature sounds > vibration to guide you through the practice WHAT'S BIOFEEDBACK? Heart Rate Variability (HRV) Biofeedback is a technique that can directly affect physiological and psychological factors through deep breathing exercises and is an ideal strategy to help us self-regulate and better cope with stressful situations​ Practically speaking, HRV Biofeedback consists of providing an individual with real-time feedback on instantaneous heart rate and respiration changes while being instructed to breathe at low frequencies You can learn more about the psychological and physiological benefits of deep breathing and HRV Biofeedback, at HRV4Biofeedback.com HOW CAN I BENEFIT FROM BIOFEEDBACK? Life can be demanding, from both a physical and psychological point of view ​Our health and performance can be affected by how we are able to effectively cope with stressful situations and deal with anxiety, or in broader terms, our ability to emotionally self-regulate is key The goal of HRV Biofeedback is to improve self-regulation, therefore impacting positively our health and performance LEARN MORE: - App features: https://www.hrv4biofeedback.com/faq.html - An introduction to biofeedback: https://www.hrv4biofeedback.com/blog/a-primer-on-heart-rate-variability-biofeedback - How to use the camera measurement: https://www.hrv4biofeedback.com/blog/guidelines-and-best-practices-for-camera-based-measurements Supported devices for the camera measurement: iPhones 8 and onwards HRV4Biofeedback requires to register an account with your email address, so that your data can be backed up safely and retrieved in case anything happens (app issue, changing phone, etc.) The validation of the camera-based heart rate measurement is available here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315059917_Comparison_of_Heart_Rate_Variability_Recording_With_Smart_Phone_Photoplethysmographic_Polar_H7_Chest_Strap_and_Electrocardiogram_Methods

About

Sounds True

Access a vast library of online courses, audio programs, and exclusive content from world-renowned experts in mindfulness, healing, and personal growth. Connect with a global community, join live events, and explore a variety of wellness practices to support your journey inward.

Highlights
  • Access purchased courses and audio programs
  • Sounds True One membership content
  • Live Q&As and interviews with experts
  • Global community for connection and discussion
  • Immersive virtual retreats
  • Weekly group meditations
  • Variety of wellness practices
Features
Read full description

The Sounds True app is home to your entire Sounds True experience, from the online courses and audio programs you've purchased to the Sounds True One membership, including original series, guided practices, and live events with hundreds of world-renowned experts in mindfulness, healing, and personal growth. YOUR SOUNDS TRUE LIBRARY Access the online courses and audio programs you've purchased from Sounds True's 41 years of publishing — all in one place, available on-demand, on any device. SOUNDS TRUE ONE MEMBERSHIP Sounds True One is a global membership community committed to growth, healing, and connection, with unique learning opportunities from the world's most celebrated wisdom teachers and best-selling authors, including Caroline Myss, Pema Chödrön, Jack Kornfield, Thich Nhat Hanh, Adyashanti, Peter Levine, Gabor Maté, Richard C. Schwartz, and many more. Membership includes: ● Wisdom from World-Renowned Experts — Learn from leading voices in well-being, mindfulness, and personal growth. ● Exclusive Live Q&As & Interviews — Engage directly with sought-after teachers through interactive conversations and events. ● A Global Community — Share reflections, ask questions, and connect with members worldwide through live meditations and practice groups. ● Immersive Virtual Retreats — Join live, transformative retreats to cultivate self-awareness and growth. ● Weekly Group Meditations — Enhance your practice with meditations led by beloved Sounds True teachers and authors. ● A Variety of Wellness Practices — Explore meditation, mindful movement, qi gong and other techniques to support your well-being. ● Monthly Guided Experiences — A new theme each month to support your spiritual growth and self-discovery. ● Exclusive Original Series — Dive into our award-winning programs like Mystics Today, In the Flow, and Being with You. ● Special Member Discounts* — Get 20% off Sounds True online courses, plus exclusive event and course invitations. In just a few minutes a day, Sounds True can help you feel more connected to yourself and the world around you. Download today and continue your journey inward. - ▷ Already a Member? Sign-In to access your subscription. ▷ New? Subscribe in the app to get instant access. Sounds True offers auto-renewing subscriptions. You'll receive unlimited access to content on all your devices. Payment is charged to your account at confirmation of purchase. Pricing varies by location and is confirmed prior to purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period, or the trial period (when offered). Cancel anytime in Account Settings. For more information see our: Terms of Use: https://product.soundstrue.com/terms-and-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://product.soundstrue.com/privacy-policy/ Customer Support: membership@soundstrue.com

Screenshots

HRV4Biofeedback4 screens
Sounds True4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Sounds True at Free against HRV4Biofeedback's $9.99. Sounds True also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.4) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 30). HRV4Biofeedback's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (53% vs 26%). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Sounds True is free to download; HRV4Biofeedback costs $9.99 up front. Sounds True sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. HRV4Biofeedback asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sounds True holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sounds True has 1.2K ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 53% of HRV4Biofeedback's written reviews are positive against 26% of Sounds True's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
HRV4Biofeedback versus Sounds True: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHRV4BiofeedbackSounds True
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.4 (30 ratings)4.6 (1.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.1% of reviews — better25.7% of reviews
Number of ratings301.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#195 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size138 MB71 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperA.S.M.A. B.V.Sounds True

Customer experience

HRV4Biofeedback

All ratings29 ratings
Positive51.7%
Neutral20.7%
Negative27.6%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive53.1%
Neutral15.6%
Negative31.3%

Sounds True

All ratings1,225 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral1.8%
Negative8.2%
Written reviews105 reviews
Positive25.7%
Neutral12.4%
Negative61.9%

Bugs and requests

HRV4Biofeedback

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Sounds True

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Unable to access purchased courses
  • App freezes and becomes unresponsive
  • Inconsistent login and password issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add search functionality to easily find content
  • Allow background audio playback when app is closed
  • Improve offline access to purchased content
  • Provide better integration between app and website

In-app purchases

None

HRV4Biofeedback

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Sounds True

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly All Access$19.991 Month
  • Monthly7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$179.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly All Access$189.001 Year

Questions

Is HRV4Biofeedback free?
HRV4Biofeedback costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sounds True free?
Sounds True is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HRV4Biofeedback or Sounds True?
Sounds True is rated higher. HRV4Biofeedback averages 3.4 out of 5 from 30 ratings, while Sounds True averages 4.6 from 1.2K ratings.
Do HRV4Biofeedback or Sounds True have ads?
Neither HRV4Biofeedback nor Sounds True shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HRV4Biofeedback or Sounds True?
HRV4Biofeedback ships an update every 2 months, and Sounds True every 2 months. Most recently, HRV4Biofeedback was updated on October 29, 2026 and Sounds True on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons