Comparison

PulseID vs Cardio Rounds

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

Head to head
About

PulseID

Capture the emotion of any moment by overlaying your live heart rate onto photos and videos. Connect your wearable device to record and share your BPM directly on your media, adding a unique layer of personal context to your memories.

Highlights
  • Live heart rate overlay on photos and videos
  • Connects with Apple Watch and Bluetooth monitors
  • Local-first data processing and storage
  • Share directly to social media and messaging apps
  • Syncs with Apple HealthKit
  • AI-powered health insights
Features
Read full description

Add heart-rate data to the workout photos and videos you already take. PulseID brings available BPM readings into your media, ready to save or share. Import a clip from your library or capture in PulseID. Use heart-rate data from Apple Watch, Apple Health, or a compatible Bluetooth monitor. Availability depends on your device, permissions, connection, and recorded history. YOUR MEDIA, WITH HEART-RATE CONTEXT - Add a BPM overlay to workout photos and videos - Import existing media without changing your camera routine - Match photo times with nearby recorded readings when available - Save the finished media or open your favorite sharing app - Revisit captured moments alongside their BPM KEEP A RACE OR ADVENTURE MOMENT Bring available heart-rate data into a finish-line photo, a training clip, or an adventure memory. A matching reading may not exist for every photo or video. Video BPM may be estimated from nearby recorded samples. MORE CONTROL WITH PULSEID PRO Free includes videos up to 60 seconds, the full watermark style, and custom positioning. Pro adds no app-imposed video length limit, minimal watermarks, and video exports up to 4K. Device and storage limits apply. 4K requires a supported source and high-resolution output enabled. Pro is an in-app purchase. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Heart-rate data, photos, and videos stay on your device. Photo and video watermarking runs locally. Limited operational telemetry helps diagnose reliability and performance, but does not include heart-rate values, health records, photos, videos, chat content, or advertising identifiers. Authentication telemetry may include account identifiers, email addresses, and sign-in methods to diagnose signup and sign-in issues. AI chat uses on-device processing by default. On supported devices, you can separately allow Apple's Private Cloud Compute for newly typed messages. PulseID does not automatically include your health records, photos, profile, or chat history in these requests. You can withdraw this permission in AI settings. PulseID requires secure sign-in for app access and subscription management. Account data is kept separate from heart-rate data and media. IMPORTANT PulseID does not measure heart rate through the iPhone camera. It receives heart-rate data from Apple Watch, Apple Health, or a compatible Bluetooth monitor. PulseID is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice or diagnosis. Privacy Policy: https://gijungkim.com/pulseid/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Cardio Rounds

Features
Read full description

Cardio Rounds is an open-source heart rate monitoring app designed specifically for treadmill running, interval training, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) rounds. Focus on your performance with a simple, distraction-free interface and beautiful, detailed charts. Cardio Rounds prioritizes your privacy. All data is stored locally on your device, with no sign-ins required, no ads. Key Features: • Track workouts with live heart rate charts and time-in-zone analysis. • Record your rate of recovery. • Customize your resting and max heart rate for accurate zone calculations. • View historical stats and compare past performances. • Connect seamlessly to nearby Bluetooth heart rate monitors. • Export your data anytime for personal backup or external analysis. • Track multiple athletes and connect multiple Bluetooth heart rate monitors simultaneously. • Export workouts to TCX format for Strava, Garmin, or external analysis.

Screenshots

PulseID4 screens
Cardio Rounds4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cardio Rounds at none against PulseID's 3. PulseID's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 months). On price, 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

Both are free to download. PulseID sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days. Cardio Rounds asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PulseID ships an update every 2 days, Cardio Rounds every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
PulseID versus Cardio Rounds: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPulseIDCardio Rounds
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size74 MB22 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGijung KimYuval Greenfield

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PulseID

Subscriptions2
  • PulseID Pro - Weekly$1.997 Days
  • PulseID Pro - Monthly$4.991 Month
One-time1
  • PulseID Pro - Lifetime$19.99
None

Cardio Rounds

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PulseID free?
PulseID is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cardio Rounds free?
Cardio Rounds is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do PulseID or Cardio Rounds have ads?
Neither PulseID nor Cardio Rounds shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PulseID or Cardio Rounds?
PulseID ships an update every 2 days, and Cardio Rounds every 4 months. Most recently, PulseID was updated on October 24, 2026 and Cardio Rounds on October 24, 2026.

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