Comparison

Camera Heart Rate Variability vs HeartMath

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

Head to head
About

Camera Heart Rate Variability

Measure heart rate variability using your phone's camera without external devices. Analyze time and frequency domain features to understand cardiac autonomic regulation, stress levels, and training impact.

Highlights
  • Record and plot HRV data
  • Extract time and frequency domain features
  • No heart rate monitor required
  • Configurable time window for analysis
  • Automatic RR-interval correction
  • Event annotation and comparison
  • Data export to iTunes and Dropbox
Features
Read full description

Camera Heart Rate Variability is the first app that lets you record, plot and export time and frequency domain Heart Rate Variability Features - without requiring any heart rate monitor. Camera HRV uses a technique called photoplethysmography (PPG for short), which consists in detecting changes in blood volume during a cardiac cycle, by illuminating the skin and measuring changes in light absorption. PPG has become quite a popular non-invasive method for extracting physiological measurements such as heart rate and oxygen saturation. However, most applications today focus simply on heart rate or respiration rate. Supported devices for the camera measurement: iPhones 5, 5S, 6, 6S, 6+, 6S+, SE, 7, 7+, 8, 8+, X, XS, XS Max, XR, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max Camera HRV can assess cardiac autonomic regulation through quantification of sinus rhythm variability. Since HRV aims at quantifying autonomic regulations, it can be used as marker of sympathetic or parasympathetic predominance, and therefore become relevant in many applications. In athletes for example heavy training is responsible for shifting the cardiac autonomic balance toward a predominance of the sympathetic over the parasympathetic drive, and HRV analysis attempts to quantify this shift. Other applications span from stress monitoring, assessment of pathological conditions and even emotional regulation during financial decision-making. Main Features: - extracts, plots, stores and exports heart rate, rr-intervals, time and frequency domain heart rate variability features (AVNN, SDNN, rMSSD, pNN50, LF, HF, LF/HF) - configurable time window for feature extraction (30 seconds to 5 minutes) - automatic RR-interval correction - event annotation - comparison between up to 3 recordings lets you get a better understanding of autonomic regulation and sympathetic/parasympathetic activity under different contexts in a glance - data export/storage on iTunes and Dropbox (csv format, exports heart rates, rr intervals, events and computed features). Data export needs to be performed from the history -> recording view, by clicking on the export button (bottom left). - integration with the Health app (writes Heart Rate and Heart Rate Variability) Find out more at this link: http://www.marcoaltini.com/2/post/2014/01/heart-rate-variability-using-the-phones-camera.html

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

Camera Heart Rate Variability4 screens
HeartMath4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HeartMath at 74% against Camera Heart Rate Variability's 28%. HeartMath also leads on price (Free vs $6.99) and rating (4.9 vs 2.8). Camera Heart Rate Variability's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). On ads and device support 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; Camera Heart Rate Variability costs $6.99 up front. HeartMath sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $39.00 per year. Camera Heart Rate Variability asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HeartMath holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HeartMath has 4.7K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of Camera Heart Rate Variability's written reviews are positive against 74% of HeartMath's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Camera Heart Rate Variability ships an update every 4 months, HeartMath every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Camera Heart Rate Variability versus HeartMath: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCamera Heart Rate VariabilityHeartMath
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating2.8 (8 ratings)4.9 (4.7K ratings) — better
Positive reviews27.8% of reviews73.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings84.7K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB185 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperA.S.M.A. B.V.HeartMath Inc.

Customer experience

Camera Heart Rate Variability

All ratings8 ratings
Positive37.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews54 reviews
Positive27.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative61.1%

HeartMath

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

Bugs and requests

Camera Heart Rate Variability

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

Camera Heart Rate Variability

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 Camera Heart Rate Variability free?
Camera Heart Rate Variability costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is HeartMath free?
HeartMath is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Camera Heart Rate Variability or HeartMath?
HeartMath is rated higher. Camera Heart Rate Variability averages 2.8 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while HeartMath averages 4.9 from 4.7K ratings.
Do Camera Heart Rate Variability or HeartMath have ads?
Neither Camera Heart Rate Variability nor HeartMath shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Camera Heart Rate Variability or HeartMath?
Camera Heart Rate Variability ships an update every 4 months, and HeartMath every 3 weeks. Most recently, Camera Heart Rate Variability was updated on October 21, 2026 and HeartMath on October 21, 2026.

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