HeartScan★ 3.6 · 52 ratings
Pulse Tracker★ 4.7 · 1k+ ratingsPulse Tracker vs HeartScan (2026)
HeartScan takes a different route: you lie down and place the phone on your chest so the accelerometer picks up heartbeat vibrations (seismocardiography). Pulse Tracker uses the fingertip camera, which works seated anywhere and yields HRV, respiratory rate and a blood pressure journal.
Feature comparison
Here is how HeartScan compares with Pulse Tracker across 20 measurement, tracking and privacy features. “Not listed” means the feature does not appear in HeartScan's App Store description.
| Feature | Pulse Tracker | HeartScan |
|---|---|---|
| Camera heart rate (PPG)Fingertip on the lens, no accessory | ✓ Yes | Chest vibration (SCG), no camera |
| Live pulse wave while measuringSee each beat drawn in real time | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Measurement quality scoreKnow when to trust a reading or repeat it | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| Personal 30-day baselineEach reading compared with your own normal | ✓ Yes | Session history |
| HRV: RMSSD, SDNN, pNN50Full time-domain variability metrics | ✓ Yes | HRV snapshot graph |
| Respiratory rateBreaths per minute from the same scan | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| Rhythm classificationShare of beats in slow / normal / fast rate ranges (not a diagnosis) | ✓ Yes | Rhythm check |
| Stress and energy levelsCalibrated to your age and baseline | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| Daily Heart ScoreOne 0–100 summary of the reading | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| Blood pressure logCuff readings with AHA stage and trends | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Estimated blood pressureFrom the pulse wave after cuff calibration, clearly labeled | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Blood oxygen (SpO2) logKeep oximeter readings next to heart data | ✓ Yes | ✗ No |
| Mood and notes per readingContext saved with every measurement | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| AI health assistantAnswers that use your actual numbers | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| AI food scanner and diet planHeart score for meals, 7-day plan | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| Guided breathing10 programs incl. blood pressure breathing | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| Apple Health syncRead and write heart metrics | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| Home Screen widgetsLatest reading and trend at a glance | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| Reminders and streaksMeasure at the same time daily | ✓ Yes | Not listed |
| Shareable report for your doctorHistory and trends in one summary | ✓ Yes | PDF and CSV export |
| Listed features | 20 of 20 | 1 of 20 |
Pricing comparison
Pulse Tracker
- Free: unlimited heart rate and respiratory rate measurements, blood pressure and SpO2 logging
- Premium weekly $6.99 after a 3-day free trial
- Premium monthly from $8.99
- Premium yearly from $34.99
HeartScan
- Free with limited access (reviews report results paywalled)
- HeartScan Pro $19.99 (listed twice)
- HeartScan Pro: 6-Months $79.99
In-app purchase list as shown on the App Store listing, 2026-10-28.
Chest vibration versus fingertip camera
HeartScan's seismocardiography needs you lying still with the phone on your sternum for about a minute. Pulse Tracker's photoplethysmography works seated at a desk with a fingertip on the lens in 30 seconds. The optical signal also carries beat-to-beat timing and breathing modulation, which is how Pulse Tracker derives HRV metrics, respiratory rate and stress and energy from the same scan.
Beyond heart rate
HeartScan is a heart rate and rhythm viewer with PDF and CSV export. Pulse Tracker is a heart health journal: a blood pressure log with AHA stages and a labeled estimate, a blood oxygen log, mood and notes, Apple Health sync, widgets, reminders, breathing exercises and an AI assistant, in eight languages.
Who should pick which
Choose HeartScan if you prefer not to use the camera, want a browser-based check, or are on Android. Choose Pulse Tracker if you are on iPhone and want the fuller picture with explanations.
Privacy labels
Pulse Tracker: no account required. Data used to track you: Usage Data and Other Data. Health data is declared as not linked to you. Measurements are stored on the device; Apple Health sync is optional.
HeartScan: Data used to track you: Purchases, Location, Identifiers, Usage Data, Diagnostics, Other Data (declared as not linked to you).
Privacy labels are developer-declared on the App Store and not verified by Apple.
What HeartScan users complain about
Recent one- and two-star App Store reviews of HeartScan, quoted verbatim, with how Pulse Tracker handles the same situation.
“Just downloaded the app for the first time, did the scan and I can't access any of the results without paying!”
Pulse Tracker approach: Pulse Tracker shows your heart rate and respiratory rate for free, every time, with no cap. Premium adds the deeper analysis after a 3-day trial.
“No explanations for readings. No customer support at all.”
Pulse Tracker approach: Every Pulse Tracker metric card opens a plain-language explanation with the typical range for your age, the AI assistant answers follow-up questions, and support is one email away.
“It reports numerous artifacts and gives a completely erroneous report.”
Pulse Tracker approach: Pulse Tracker shows the live pulse wave with each detected beat marked and a Measurement Quality score, so you can see the signal yourself and repeat a noisy reading instead of trusting it.
Bottom line
HeartScan is a capable app with a real user base. Pulse Tracker is built for people who want the measurement explained, not just reported: the live pulse wave, a quality score, HRV by name, respiratory rate, rhythm, a personal baseline, a blood pressure journal that is honest about estimates, and an assistant to ask about it all. Heart rate measurements are free without limits, so you can judge the accuracy yourself before paying for anything.
References
- HeartScan: Heart Rate Monitor on the App Store, listing and reviews read 2026-10-28.
- Pulse Tracker on the App Store.
- American Heart Association, Understanding blood pressure readings.
- Shaffer F, Ginsberg JP. An Overview of Heart Rate Variability Metrics and Norms. Frontiers in Public Health, 2017.
HeartScan is a trademark of BLATT sp. z o.o.. Pulse Tracker is not affiliated with BLATT sp. z o.o.. Information about HeartScan is taken from its public App Store listing on 2026-10-28 and may change. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will fix it.
Wellness disclaimer. Pulse Tracker is intended for general wellness use only. It is not a medical device, is not FDA cleared or approved, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or condition. Blood pressure shown in the app is either a value you entered from your own cuff or an estimate derived from the pulse signal after cuff calibration; it is not a measurement and must not be used to make medical decisions. Read the full wellness disclaimer. Camera readings, estimates and classifications are for general information only and can be affected by movement, lighting, skin temperature and other factors. Do not use them to diagnose, treat or make decisions about a medical condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional, and call emergency services if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting or other urgent symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pulse Tracker a good alternative to HeartScan?
Yes for iPhone users who want HRV metrics, respiratory rate, blood pressure and blood oxygen logs, Apple Health sync and an AI assistant alongside heart rate. HeartScan's chest method is unique and also runs on Android.
Which is more accurate?
Both estimate heart rate well when you stay still. Pulse Tracker shows a Measurement Quality score and the live pulse wave so you can judge each reading, and compares it with your own baseline. Neither app is a medical device.
Which is cheaper?
Pulse Tracker's heart rate measurements are free without limits; Premium is $6.99 a week after a 3-day trial or from $34.99 a year. HeartScan lists Pro at $19.99 and a 6-month plan at $79.99.
Measure your heart rate free, no limits
See the live pulse wave, HRV, respiratory rate and rhythm from one 30-second scan. Premium is optional.
Download for iPhoneRequires iOS 17 or later · ★ 4.7 rating · Available in 8 languages