Comparison

Simple Zones vs PulsePacer

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

Head to head
About

Simple Zones

Track your workouts in real-time using heart rate zone training. Get instant feedback on your performance to optimize intensity and achieve your fitness goals. Supports Apple Watch and Bluetooth heart rate monitors.

Highlights
  • Real-time heart rate zone visualization
  • Apple Watch and Bluetooth HRM support
  • Customizable zone models
  • Apple Health integration
  • Workout data syncing
  • Activity ring tracking
Features
Read full description

SWEAT SMARTER WITH HEART RATE ZONE TRAINING FOR A BETTER, STRONGER YOU! Visualize how hard you’re working with REAL-TIME ZONE TRAINING using your Apple Watch or connected Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor No matter your workout activity, you can use Zone Training to get instant feedback on your performance and start crushing your fitness goals. With just a quick glance at the eye-catching zones on your phone or wrist during your workout, you’ll know whether you should pump the brakes on the intensity or crank it up a notch. We use your beats per minute (bpm) and percent of max heart rate to show you which zone you’re in, so you can take the guesswork out of your fitness routine and start maximizing your results today. The Zones App has five branded zone models to choose from, inspired by some of your favorite fitness brands: • Peloton* • NordicTrack* (also supports iFit ActivePulse*!) • Echelon • Orange Zones • Heart Health** * Peloton, NordicTrack, ActivePulse, and Echelon are trademarks owned by those respective companies. ** Inspired by the American Heart Association exercise & fitness guidelines for maintaining a Healthy Heart. BENEFITS OF HEART RATE ZONE TRAINING - Reduced Risk of Fatigue & Overtraining - Better, More Restorative Recovery - Maximum Fat Burn and Weight Loss - Increased Speed and Endurance - Enhanced Performance PRIVACY We value your privacy and never share or sell any user information. APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION - We read Heart Rate from your Apple Watch via Apple Health - We (optionally) save your workout data to Apple Health - All workouts count towards your Apple activity rings - Sync workouts to Strava, TrainingPeaks, or your favorite workout app through Apple Health importing APPLE WATCH REQUIREMENTS The minimum requirement for the Apple Watch is a series 3 or later. BLUETOOTH HEART RATE MONITOR SUPPORT Connect any standard Bluetooth heart rate monitor, armband, or chest strap. Use your OTBeat, Polar, Wahoo, or Garmin HRM. Terms of Service: https://www.workoutcompanions.app/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://www.workoutcompanions.app/privacy-policy

About

PulsePacer

This running companion helps you stay in your target heart rate zones during workouts. It connects to Bluetooth heart rate monitors and provides audio cues when you drift out of zone, keeping you focused on your pace without distractions.

Highlights
  • Bluetooth heart rate monitor integration
  • Audio cues for heart rate zones
  • Focus on pace and rhythm
  • Simple setup process
  • On-device data processing
  • Privacy-focused design
Features
Read full description

Ever find yourself glued to your screen during a run, obsessively checking your heart rate instead of focusing on your pace? PulsePacer fixes that. It’s the running companion that takes the guesswork out of heart rate zone training. No more distractions, no more breaking your rhythm. Here’s how it works: PulsePacer connects to your Bluetooth heart rate monitor (think Wahoo TICKR, Polar H10, Garmin HRM Dual, and more) and keeps track of your heart rate zones for you. When you slip out of your target zone, it gives you a quick audio nudge—right over your music, without drowning it out. The app is as straightforward as it gets: 1. Set your max heart rate. 2. Sync your heart rate monitor. 3. Start running. That’s it. Everything is processed right on your iPhone, so your data stays private, and the app stays fast. With its clean, no-frills design, PulsePacer won’t bog you down with extras you don’t need—it’s built to keep you focused on your run and nothing else. Whether you’re mastering Zone 2 endurance or pushing through interval sessions, PulsePacer keeps you in control, all without pulling you out of the moment. Available now for iOS 16.0 and up. Download it today from the App Store, and let PulsePacer take care of the zones while you take care of the miles. Privacy Policy: https://pulsepacer.com/privacy-policy EULA: https://pulsepacer.com/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Simple Zones4 screens
PulsePacer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PulsePacer at 100% against Simple Zones's 55%. PulsePacer also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.0). Simple Zones's advantage is ratings volume (50 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Simple Zones sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and PulsePacer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PulsePacer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simple Zones has 50 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of Simple Zones's written reviews are positive against 100% of PulsePacer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simple Zones ships an update monthly, PulsePacer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Simple Zones versus PulsePacer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimple ZonesPulsePacer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (50 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews54.8% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings50 — better2
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.4 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBred Ventures IncAndreas Scherman

Customer experience

Simple Zones

All ratings50 ratings
Positive72.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews31 reviews
Positive54.8%
Neutral9.7%
Negative35.5%

PulsePacer

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Simple Zones

One-time2
  • Zones Pro$4.99
  • Zones Pro$9.99
2 purchases

PulsePacer

Subscriptions1
  • PulsePacer Premium$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • PulsePacer Plus$9.99

Questions

Is Simple Zones free?
Simple Zones is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PulsePacer free?
PulsePacer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Simple Zones or PulsePacer?
PulsePacer is rated higher. Simple Zones averages 4.0 out of 5 from 50 ratings, while PulsePacer averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Simple Zones or PulsePacer have ads?
Neither Simple Zones nor PulsePacer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simple Zones or PulsePacer?
Simple Zones ships an update monthly, and PulsePacer every 2 months. Most recently, Simple Zones was updated on November 7, 2026 and PulsePacer on October 30, 2026.

Other comparisons