# HeartMath vs Willowave

The clearest difference is rating: HeartMath at 4.9 against Willowave's 4.3. HeartMath also leads on ratings volume (4.6K vs 7). Willowave's advantage is review sentiment (83% vs 73%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HeartMath sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $39.00 per year and Willowave sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

HeartMath holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HeartMath has 4.6K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of HeartMath's written reviews are positive against 83% of Willowave's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

HeartMath ships an update every 3 weeks, Willowave monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and June 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | HeartMath | Willowave |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (4.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heartmath/id6446414998/reviews)** | [4.3 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/willowave/id6744624519/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.6K** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | 73.1% of reviews | **83.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Size | 185 MB | 77 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [HeartMath Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/482739914) | [Dawnlight Studios LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1783763675) |

## What reviewers say

### HeartMath

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heartmath/id6446414998)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HeartMath Premium | $39.00 | per year |
| HeartMath Premium | $59.00 | per year |
| HeartMath Premium | $79.00 | per year |
| HeartMath Premium | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### Willowave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/willowave/id6744624519)

This app uses adaptive soundscapes, healing frequencies, and affirmations to help you reprogram your subconscious mind. It guides you through sonic journeys and offers personalized soundscapes to reshape your reality and manifest desired states.

**Highlights:** Adaptive soundscapes, Healing frequencies, Brainwave entrainment, Personalized affirmations, Nature ambience, Guided sonic journeys

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Willowave Premium Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Willowave Premium Annual | $69.99 | per year |
| Alan Watts Lectures | $1.99 | one-time |
| Grabovoi Numbers | $1.99 | one-time |
| Silas Dubelaar | $2.99 | one-time |
| Bhikkhu Bodhi | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HeartMath free?

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

### Is Willowave free?

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

### Which has better reviews, HeartMath or Willowave?

HeartMath is rated higher. HeartMath averages 4.9 out of 5 from 4.6K ratings, while Willowave averages 4.3 from 7 ratings.

### Do HeartMath or Willowave have ads?

Neither HeartMath nor Willowave shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, HeartMath or Willowave?

HeartMath ships an update every 3 weeks, and Willowave monthly. Most recently, HeartMath was updated on September 22, 2026 and Willowave on June 14, 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.*