# HeartMath vs Instead

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Instead at none against HeartMath's 5. Instead also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 74%) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.0). HeartMath's advantage is ratings volume (4.6K vs 1). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HeartMath sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $39.00 per year. Instead asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for HeartMath against 5.0 for Instead. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HeartMath has 4.6K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of HeartMath's written reviews are positive against 100% of Instead's.

## The numbers

| Metric | HeartMath | Instead |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (4.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heartmath/id6446414998/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instead-the-next-90-seconds/id6795716410/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4.6K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 73.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | — |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 185 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [HeartMath Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/482739914) | [MadApps Studios, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/6794668892) |

## 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


### Instead

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instead-the-next-90-seconds/id6795716410)

This app offers quick, ninety-second activities to help you manage cravings and difficult emotions. Choose from guided breathing exercises or physical challenges to ride out intense feelings. It also provides emergency contact options and tracks your progress without requiring an account.

**Highlights:** 90-second activities, Guided breathing exercises, Physical challenges, Emergency contact shortcuts, Streak tracking, Journaling, Data privacy

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is HeartMath free?

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

### Is Instead free?

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

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

Instead is rated higher. HeartMath averages 4.9 out of 5 from 4.6K ratings, while Instead averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do HeartMath or Instead have ads?

Neither HeartMath nor Instead shows ads.

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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.*