Hands Free Heart Rate Monitor 4+

I have heart rate on my iPhone already and love it (I don't have an expensive fitness watch and instead use this app to track my heart rate when I run and work out). This new desktop version is equally awesome. I've been using it to check in on my health while I work on my laptop. I can imagine this being a great use for gamers on Twitch or even older folks while working at their job. Would highly recommend!!

I was hoping this app would be useful for my workouts, being the rare pulse app that will sync to Apple Health without needing to pay a subscription. Unfortunately, its readings are frequently inaccurate and extremely inconsistent. It routinely gives a reading that is clearly about half the actual pulse rate, and varies wildly in successive readings. I generally make sure of two or more consistent readings in a row before saving it to Health.

It also is extremely sensitive to conditions interfering with readings. Even when I brace both the phone and myself against something solid and unmoving, it still often takes twenty seconds or more to return a reading.

It’s not entirely useless, so I’m not giving it only one star. It is free, and it does work when it works. But it needs a lot of improvement.

This app can be faster and more accurate than Apple Watch. You look straight at your iPhone, hold still, and the app quickly measures your pulse from micro-color changes in your face.

It beats other apps that attempt to do this and doesn’t require putting a finger on the camera lens. For best results, use it where the light is steady (e.g., not on the disco floor).

I use the app when getting some exercise (indoor or out). It adds motivation and fun. Other uses: quick snapshot of your heart rate after sleeping, when stressed or ill, or when fully relaxing (how low can you get your heart rate to go).

It can be fun to try with others. Instructive for kids. Encourages heart health.

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