Comparison

BrainWave vs HeartMath

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

Head to head
About

BrainWave

This app uses advanced binaural brainwave entrainment for neuro-athletic training. It features multi-stage programs with progressive frequency algorithms to enhance physical and mental performance. Customize brainwave intensity, background sounds, and timers for a personalized experience.

Highlights
  • Multi-stage binaural programs
  • Progressive brainwave entrainment algorithms
  • Adjustable brainwave intensity
  • Multiple ambient background sounds
  • Customizable timer options
  • Automatic saving of preferences
Features
Read full description

Advanced Binaural Brainwave Entrainment developed specifically for neuro athletic training. Features 8 Multi-Stage Binaural Programs developed from the ground up for athletes. This app is unlike any other brainwave entrainment application. Other brainwave and binaural beat applications use only a single brainwave frequency and carrier signal. The Progressive Brainwave Entrainment algorithms developed for this app use a series of brainwave stages, with multiple frequencies and carrier waves to gently bring your brainwave frequencies to your desired state using a more natural and effective frequency progression. *** Advanced Features *** - Multiple Brainwave programs each specially designed to boost physical and mental performance. - Multiple ambient background sounds to choose from. - Adjustable Brainwave Intensity - The intensity of the brainwaves can be adjusted independently of the ambient background sound. This allows you to set the brainwave volume to your comfort level. The application will also save your preference for future use. - Adjustable ambient background volume. - Visual timer countdown indicator. - Automatic saving of preferred brainwave entrainment program and ambient background sounds. - Ability to create your own custom time option. *** Included Programs *** - Quick Energy: Single-stage program targeting 30 Hz High-Beta/Low-Gamma for a quick energy boost. - Power and Focus: Multi-stage program targeting 6 Hz Theta, 20 Hz Beta, and 40 Hz Gamma to increase focus and intensity. - Fast Reflexes: Multi-stage program targeting high gamma frequencies to enhance reflexes and reaction time. - Eye/Hand Coordination: Multi-stage program focused on mid beta and high alpha frequencies to promote relaxed focused attention. - Endurance: Multi-stage Alpha, Beta, and Gamma program designed to increase your endurance and stamina. - Speed: Multi-stage program targeting very high gamma frequencies. - Rest and Recover: Multi-stage deep sleep program designed to enhance recovery after a workout. - Recovery Meditation: Multi-stage Alpha and Theta program designed to boost recovery and relaxation after a workout. ** How Binaural Brainwave Entrainment Works ** Through the process of brainwave entrainment human brainwave frequencies can be synchronized with a frequency associated with a target mental state. These Brainwave frequencies are too low for the human ear to hear, however, these low-frequencies can be perceived by the human brain if two different audible frequencies are played separately into each ear with headphones or earbuds. For example, the human ear can't directly perceive the 10 Hz Alpha frequency associated with relaxed alertness, but if you wear headphones with one side playing a 135 Hz tone and the other playing a 145 Hz tone, your brain will perceive the 10 Hz difference between those frequencies as a periodic beat. As you listen, your brainwaves will begin to match that frequency, inducing the associated mental state. Warning: Do not use this app while driving or operating machinery.

About

HeartMath

This app helps you manage stress, improve focus, and achieve optimal performance by aligning your heart, mind, and emotions. It offers guided sessions, immersive journeys, and coherence practices based on over 30 years of research.

Highlights
  • Real-time HRV Coherence Measurement
  • Coherence Training
  • Scientifically Validated Techniques
  • Guided Learning Sessions
  • Progress Tracking
  • Heart-Brain Coherence Benefits
Features
Read full description

Align your heart, mind, and emotions to help you manage stress, improve focus, and perform at your best. Enjoy HeartMath’s free intro experience to access your heart’s natural intelligence and see your heart-brain coherence as real-time feedback. Then start your 7-day free trial to explore a comprehensive collection of guided sessions, immersive journeys, and coherence practices designed to help you experience greater calm, focus, clearer thinking, and a more balanced you. **Inner Balance Coherence Plus sensor owners: Use your sensor to unlock a lifetime subscription.** Built on 30+ years of research on the heart-brain connection and supported by over 500 research studies, HeartMath is used in wellness and resilience programs at organizations including Stanford Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente, as well as in professional sports, the military, law enforcement, leading universities, non-profit organizations, and major corporations. It is used by coaches, trainers, and health professionals for stress education and resilience training. The HeartMath system is more than stress management: it’s a journey to more heart-centered living. This app puts HeartMath’s practical, research-supported tools right at your fingertips. Make mental and emotional well-being an achievable part of your daily life. The HeartMath technology is for stress education and resilience training. It is not a medical device. We encourage you to consult a health professional before making any medical decisions. KEY FEATURES • Real-time HRV coherence feedback: Use your phone’s camera or upgrade to the Inner Balance Coherence Plus sensor for a more precise signal and a free app subscription. • Coherence training: Whether you choose the game or the guided mode, watch your heart-rhythm pattern and coherence change in real time. • Research-Supported: Techniques developed from 30+ years of scientific research to help boost focus, positive feelings, and your ability to manage stress. • Guided learning: Explore guided meditations, courses, and videos led by HeartMath trainers. • Progress tracking: View your progress over time with a variety of chart options. WHAT REGULAR COHERENCE PRACTICE CAN SUPPORT Heart-brain coherence is a balanced, focused state you create yourself through calm breathing and positive focus. Coherence supports the body’s natural ability to shift from tension to calm, helping you manage everyday stress and build inner balance. • SUPPORTS STRESS MANAGEMENT & EMOTIONAL BALANCE • SUPPORTS FOCUS AND MENTAL CLARITY — coherent states are associated with more focus, clarity, and creativity. • SUPPORTS RESILIENCE — regular practice can help you adapt to and recover from challenging situations more quickly. • ENHANCES EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING AND SELF-AWARENESS — practice can support a greater sense of inner calm and a more mindful relationship with your emotions. Subscription terms: • Subscriptions renew automatically at the end of each year. • You can cancel your subscription at any time in your account settings. • You will not be refunded for any unused portion of a subscription. • Price is subject to change. • Subscriptions are not available in all countries. • Full subscription terms: https://my.heartmath.com/terms If you’d like to purchase an Inner Balance Coherence Plus sensor to unlock complimentary lifetime access to the HeartMath app, please visit the HeartMath website.

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
HeartMath4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HeartMath at Free against BrainWave's $3.99. HeartMath also leads on ratings volume (4.6K vs 367) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). BrainWave's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (88% vs 74%). On rating and ads 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

HeartMath is free to download; BrainWave costs $3.99 up front. HeartMath sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $39.00 per year. BrainWave asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for BrainWave against 4.9 for HeartMath. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HeartMath has 4.6K ratings behind it against 367, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of BrainWave's written reviews are positive against 74% of HeartMath's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, HeartMath every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
BrainWave versus HeartMath: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWaveHeartMath
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (367 ratings)4.9 (4.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews — better73.8% of reviews
Number of ratings3674.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB185 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBanzai LabsHeartMath Inc.

Customer experience

BrainWave

All ratings367 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral1.4%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral5.0%
Negative7.5%

HeartMath

All ratings4,564 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral1.8%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews172 reviews
Positive73.8%
Neutral5.2%
Negative20.9%

User reviews

BrainWave

From 367 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works well for fitness
  • 🧘‍♀️ Promotes tranquility and relief
  • 🎧 Calming and listenable soundscapes
  • 🎯 Improves hand-eye coordination
  • 💡 Game changer for sports

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Stops playing in background
  • 📉 Makes app useless for workouts
  • ⚠️ Apps freeze on iOS26
  • ⏳ Not being developed further
  • 🖼️ Outdated graphics

HeartMath

From 4.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Huge improvement over previous app
  • 👍 Easy to use and highly recommended
  • 💡 Loaded with HeartMath techniques and courses
  • 👍 Powerful tool for nervous system balance and anxiety reduction
  • 👍 Helps achieve a better mental state

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Connectivity issues with sensor
  • 🐛 Sensor not compatible with older devices
  • 🐛 App crashes and freezes on newer devices
  • 🐛 Inaccurate heart rate and coherence readings
  • 🐛 Disruptive screen sleep behavior during sessions

Bugs and requests

BrainWave

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App stops playing in the background when not selected
  • Apps freeze repeatedly under iOS26
  • The speed program crashes
  • App crashes when trying to start a cycle with the speed setting

Requested features

16 requests
  • Fix background playback issue
  • Update app for iOS26
  • Add a 'rise and shine' program
  • Add ability to save specific playlists to specific programs
  • Consolidate apps into one
Show 11 more
  • Allow in-app purchases of sound collections
  • More background sounds
  • Greater ability to customize/blend sounds and save them
  • Update to include similar offerings to AmbiScience for customization
  • List frequencies or evidence of effectiveness
  • List frequencies used
  • Explain all possible effects of using a specific frequency
  • Offer Isochronic Tones
  • Allow use with own testing music (like Brain Waves 30)
  • Choice for specific sports and explanation of benefits
  • Make Dream Inducers free

HeartMath

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Sensor connection issues on newer devices
  • App crashes and freezes on iPhone 16 Pro
  • Inaccurate heart rate and coherence readings
  • Screen sleep behavior disrupting sessions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add dark mode option
  • Allow playing music/sounds during sessions
  • Provide audio feedback on coherence levels
  • Add session history customization and details
  • Improve sensor compatibility with older devices

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

HeartMath

Subscriptions4
  • HeartMath Premium7 Days trial$39.001 Year
  • HeartMath Premium7 Days trial$59.001 Year
  • HeartMath Premium7 Days trial2 variants$79.001 Year
Show 1 more
  • HeartMath Premium7 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HeartMath free?
HeartMath is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or HeartMath?
HeartMath is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.8 out of 5 from 367 ratings, while HeartMath averages 4.9 from 4.6K ratings.
Do BrainWave or HeartMath have ads?
Neither BrainWave nor HeartMath shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or HeartMath?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and HeartMath every 3 weeks. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on October 13, 2026 and HeartMath on October 16, 2026.

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