Best 6 Heart Rate Monitors in 2026: Compare Apps and Devices

Introduction

Heart Rate Monitor: Pulse BPM has the broadest set of review tools in this roundup, with pulse readings, zones, HRV, and measurement history. The six camera-based apps below are available for iPhone or Android, and offer different ways to save and review readings. Phone-camera results are estimates, not medical advice or a substitute for a clinical device.

Quick comparison

All six apps use a phone camera to estimate pulse or heart rate. Some focus on trends, saved readings, or health integrations, while the first includes several tools for reviewing results. The app details provided don’t include prices, so check each listing for current pricing. This table reflects listed features, not independently verified accuracy.

1. Heart Rate Monitor: Pulse BPM

Best for: iPhone users who want a pulse reading and several ways to review it.

Heart Rate Monitor: Pulse BPM uses the iPhone camera and flash to estimate heart rate, and displays a live pulse trace. It also includes heart-rate zones, HRV readings, and measurement history. That mix gives you more to review than a single number, though the app’s readings are still estimates.

2. Heart Rate Monitor - Pulse App

Best for: Android users who want to log readings and compare them over time.

Heart Rate Monitor - Pulse App estimates heart rate and pulse with the phone camera. It also offers health logging and tracks heart-rate trends, which can help you review how saved readings change over time. Its main focus is comparing readings, rather than just checking your pulse once.

3. Heart Rate Monitor - Pulse HR

Best for: iPhone users who want organized records and Apple Health integration.

Heart Rate Monitor - Pulse HR measures pulse with the iPhone camera and saves readings to a personal history dashboard. You can use tags to sort records, and the app also includes heart-health information and Apple Health integration. Tags may be handy for keeping readings organized by context.

4. Heart Rate Monitor +++

Best for: iPhone users who mainly want to measure and review heart rate.

Heart Rate Monitor +++ measures heart rate with the iPhone camera, so no extra equipment is needed. Daily statistics and a monthly history view let you review more than one reading at a time. The monthly view is useful if you want a simple way to look back at your results.

5. Pulse Plus: Heart Rate Monitor

Best for: iPhone users who want to share pulse results with Apple Health.

Pulse Plus: Heart Rate Monitor measures pulse with the phone camera using photoplethysmography. This method estimates pulse from changes in the light detected at the skin. The app can also share heart-rate results with Apple Health, its main point of difference in this group.

6. Heart Rate Monitor - HeartIn

Best for: Android users who want pulse checks and ongoing trend tracking.

Heart Rate Monitor - HeartIn uses the phone camera and flash to check pulse. Its listing describes it as a wellness tracker for organizing heart-related data, and the app tracks trends over time. That may suit people who want to review past readings as well as check their pulse.

How we picked these apps

This roundup covers mobile apps whose listings describe camera-based pulse or heart-rate measurement. We looked at features that can help you review results, such as measurement history, trend tracking, heart-rate zones, HRV, and health integrations.

The list includes apps for both iPhone and Android. Some have tools for organizing or comparing readings, while others focus on measuring and showing basic results. The features described here come from the app information provided, not independent testing. Their presence doesn’t establish an app’s medical accuracy.

Frequently asked questions

How do phone-camera heart rate apps work?

These apps use the camera, sometimes with the flash, to detect changes in light as blood moves through a fingertip. Movement, finger placement, lighting, and the camera’s ability to detect a pulse can all affect results.

Are camera-based readings a substitute for medical advice?

No. A phone app provides an estimate. It doesn’t replace a medical device, professional advice, or a diagnosis. If a reading or symptom concerns you, contact a qualified health professional.

How can I get a more consistent reading?

Follow the app’s instructions, place your finger as directed, and stay still during the measurement. Camera-based apps and wearable sensors use different methods. Which suits you depends on whether you want an occasional check or ongoing tracking. Apple Health features also vary by app, so check the listing before downloading.

The verdict

Heart Rate Monitor: Pulse BPM has a wider range of review features for iPhone users, including a live pulse trace, zones, HRV readings, and history. On Android, Heart Rate Monitor - Pulse App offers health logging and trend tracking. Heart Rate Monitor - Pulse HR is another iPhone option, with tagged records and Apple Health integration. Remember that all camera-based heart rate monitor readings are estimates, not a way to diagnose a health condition.