# Centering Prayer vs HeartMath

Centering Prayer and HeartMath both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 98% of Centering Prayer's written reviews are positive against 74% of HeartMath's. Centering Prayer also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and ratings volume (18K vs 4.6K). HeartMath's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Centering Prayer sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and HeartMath sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $39.00 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Centering Prayer against 4.9 for HeartMath. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18K and 4.6K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 98% of Centering Prayer's written reviews are positive against 74% of HeartMath's.

Centering Prayer ships an update every 3 months, HeartMath every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Centering Prayer | HeartMath |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/centering-prayer/id844280857/reviews) | [4.9 (4.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heartmath/id6446414998/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **18K** | 4.6K |
| Positive reviews | **97.6% of reviews** | 73.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 88 MB | 185 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Contemplative Outreach Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/844280860) | [HeartMath Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/482739914) |

## What reviewers say

### Centering Prayer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/centering-prayer/id844280857)

This app guides users through Centering Prayer, a silent contemplative prayer practice. It offers a customizable timer, opening and closing prayers, and a selection of sounds and backgrounds to create a peaceful environment for deepening one's relationship with God. Includes instructions for learning the method.

**Highlights:** Adjustable prayer timer, Opening and closing prayer options, Customizable sounds and backgrounds, Instructions for learning Centering Prayer, Support for daily prayer practice

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

**In-app purchases (18)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Active Prayer:  Pray Without Ceasing | $9.99 | one-time |
| Attention/Intention, the One Thing Needed | $9.99 | one-time |
| Centering Prayer, Prayer of Consent | $9.99 | one-time |
| Practicing the Holy Spirit | $9.99 | one-time |
| Discipline of Prayer, Intimacy with God | $9.99 | one-time |
| Lectio Divina:  The Ancient Practice of Praying the Scriptures | $9.99 | one-time |
| Simplicity: Let Your Eye Be Single | $9.99 | one-time |
| Spirituality of Money: In God We Trust | $9.99 | one-time |
| Welcoming Prayer: Consent on the Go | $9.99 | one-time |
| Paschal Mystery, A Journey into Redemption and Grace | $9.99 | one-time |
| Contemplative Service, Prayer in Action | $9.99 | one-time |
| Faith: An Advent Companion | $9.99 | one-time |
| Hospitality: The Dance Between Guest and Host | $9.99 | one-time |
| Silence & Solitude: Wherein Wisdom Dwells | $9.99 | one-time |
| Forgiveness:  A Growth in Love | $11.99 | one-time |
| Three Main Practices | $23.99 | one-time |
| Life as Practice | $54.99 | one-time |
| Complete Contemplative Life Program | $109.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🙏 Helpful for spiritual practice
- 📚 Variety of prayers and scriptures
- ⏱️ Easy to use timer
- 🎶 Soothing opening and closing sounds
- 🌄 Pleasing seasonal backgrounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔇 Ending sounds could be longer
- 🎨 Limited customization options
- 🔋 Drains battery when screen is on

**Reported bugs**

- Compatibility issues with iOS 13
- Occasional crashes or freezes

**Requested features**

- Add ability to save custom prayers
- Include option to track meditation history
- Integrate with health/fitness apps


### 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Centering Prayer free?

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

### Is HeartMath free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Centering Prayer or HeartMath?

Centering Prayer and HeartMath are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 18K and 4.6K ratings respectively.

### Do Centering Prayer or HeartMath have ads?

Neither Centering Prayer nor HeartMath shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Centering Prayer or HeartMath?

Centering Prayer ships an update every 3 months, and HeartMath every 3 weeks. Most recently, Centering Prayer was updated on October 15, 2026 and HeartMath on October 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.*