Comparison

Plena Biofeedback vs Vela

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

Head to head
About

Plena Biofeedback

Features
Read full description

Plena: The Only Mindfulness App with Stress Zones, Intentions, and Readiness Scores Start mindfulness sessions from your Apple Watch with live sensor streaming to iPhone. Set an intention before each session, see real-time stress zone classification as you practice, then reflect afterward. Track daily readiness with a score showing exactly which metrics help or hinder recovery. What Makes Plena Different - WATCH-FIRST: Start from Apple Watch with live data streaming to iPhone - STRESS ZONES: See Calm/Optimal/Elevated zones update in real-time - INTENTIONS + REFLECTIONS: Set goals before, record insights after - READINESS BREAKDOWN: Daily score with metric contributions explained - MIND-BREATH-BODY: Built on the triangle of HR, HRV, and respiration - PRIVACY-FIRST: Health data stays on your device, never shared The Triangle: Mind, Breath, Body The triangle represents the three core rhythms of human calm: - Heart Rate reflects moment-to-moment activity - HRV shows adaptability and stress balance - Breath regulates the entire system When in harmony, they create balance. That's what Plena measures in real time. Real-Time Stress Zone Classification Color-coded zones during sessions: - Calm Zone - Relaxed, low-stress state - Optimal Zone - Balanced, functioning well - Elevated Zone - Higher stress response Key Features Biometric Tracking - Heart Rate, HRV/SDNN, Respiratory Rate - Body Temperature, VO2 Max Apple Watch Integration - Start sessions directly from Watch - Live sensor sync to iPhone - Zone indicators on wrist - Works independently from iPhone Dashboard and Analytics - Session statistics, streaks, trends - Interactive graphs (Day/Week/Month/Year) - HRV insights and pattern recognition Session Flow - Pre-session intention setting - Post-session reflections - Automatic saving and summaries Readiness Score Daily score (0-100) combining Resting HR, HRV Balance, Temperature, Recovery, and Sleep. View contributor breakdowns and compare to yesterday. Privacy All data stored locally using Apple's HealthKit. No third-party sharing. Requirements - iOS 17.0+, Apple Watch Series 4+ (optional) - HealthKit permissions required Medical Disclaimer Plena is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice. Readings are for wellness purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals for medical advice. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Vela

Features
Read full description

Vela helps you track perimenopause symptoms in seconds, notice patterns in your own data, and prepare for more focused conversations with your doctor. Perimenopause can feel confusing: sleep changes, mood shifts, hot flashes, fatigue, cycle changes, brain fog, and symptoms that come and go. Vela gives you a calm place to record what you notice and turn scattered days into a clearer personal summary. What you can do with Vela: • Log symptoms, mood, energy, sleep, triggers, notes, and period context • See your recent history and longer-term patterns • Prepare a doctor-ready summary for appointments • Track what changed without needing an account • Keep your health notes organized on your device Vela is designed for reflection and preparation, not diagnosis. Your logs can help you remember what happened, spot patterns you may want to discuss, and walk into appointments with a clearer picture of your experience. Vela Premium unlocks longer history, deeper insights, appointment prep, and doctor-ready report exports. Vela is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional about symptoms, treatment decisions, or urgent concerns. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Plena Biofeedback4 screens
Vela4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Plena Biofeedback at 3 against Vela's 1. On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS

CostPrice Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Ads Ā· Monetization

Both are free to download. Plena Biofeedback sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Vela sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference Ā· 5 level
Plena Biofeedback versus Vela: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlena BiofeedbackVela
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKenneth NygrenCan Acar

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Plena Biofeedback

Subscriptions2
  • Plena Premium (Monthly)$9.991 Month
  • Premium Annual$59.991 Year
2 purchases

Vela

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$7.991 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Plena Biofeedback free?
Plena Biofeedback is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Vela free?
Vela is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Plena Biofeedback or Vela have ads?
Neither Plena Biofeedback nor Vela shows ads.

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