Camera pulse apps are one of the busiest and highest earning shelves in Health & Fitness. On October 16, 2026 the US top 100 grossing chart of the category had 6 heart rate apps, and Heartica makes $389K–1.56M a month by our estimate (not Apple data). The camera can measure pulse, while promising blood pressure from phone sensors is plainly forbidden by the App Store rules.
How much heart rate apps make
On October 16, 2026 iCardiac was number 16 in the US top grossing Health & Fitness chart, Heart Beat number 32, InPulse number 33, Welltory number 44 and Heartica number 46. Blood Pressure Log, a blood pressure and pulse log, was number 18 in Lifestyle.
| App | Released | US ratings | Top grossing rank | Monthly revenue, our estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iCardiac | Oct 16, 2023 | 30,788 | #16 | $201K–802K |
| Heart Beat | Jun 5, 2025 | 6,247 | #32 | $217K–870K |
| InPulse | Dec 7, 2019 | 179,380 | #33 | $175K–700K |
| Welltory (stress and HRV) | May 3, 2016 | 134,184 | #44 | $222K–889K |
| Heartica | Apr 16, 2025 | 16,662 | #46 | $389K–1.56M |
| HeartIn | Nov 13, 2024 | 8,739 | #96 | $64K–255K |
| Blood Pressure Log (log, Lifestyle) | Jul 19, 2021 | 31,825 | #18 | $399K–1.6M |
| Wello (Lifestyle) | Mar 27, 2026 | 1,748 | #66 | $113K–451K |
| Cardiora | Oct 8, 2025 | 1,403 | outside top 100 | $159K–637K App Store sales not confirmed by the charts |
Appto data as of October 16, 2026. Rating growth September 16 to October 16, 2026. Rating counts and chart positions from the US App Store on October 16, 2026. Revenue is our estimate, not Apple data.
Ratings say little about money here. InPulse has 179,380 ratings and makes $175K–700K by our estimate. Heartica has 16,662 ratings and $389K–1.56M a month.
Newcomers grow fast
Heart Beat launched on June 5, 2025, has 6,247 ratings and ranks above InPulse. Wello launched on March 27, 2026 and already makes $113K–451K a month by our estimate.
The price of that growth is sameness. Almost all of them use the words heart, pulse and monitor. According to Appto's research on September 19, 2026, the old leaders of the "heart rate monitor" results had more than 200 thousand reviews, so a newcomer is left with a narrow promise and its own look.
How the camera measures pulse
The method is photoplethysmography. A finger covers the camera and the flash, the flash stays on (torchMode), and the app watches the red channel brightness for 30 seconds. With every heartbeat there is more blood in the finger and the image darkens slightly. The brightness peaks give the pulse.
Heart rate variability needs accurate intervals between beats, so capture at 60 frames per second and drop readings with movement. The result can go into Health as heartRate, with the person's permission.
What you can't promise
Section 1.4.1 of the App Store rules requires disclosing data and methodology when an app makes accuracy claims about health measurements. Apps that claim to measure blood pressure, body temperature, blood glucose or blood oxygen using only the phone's sensors are not permitted (App Store rules, October 16, 2026).
Blood pressure in such an app can only be logged from a cuff, as Blood Pressure Log does. Even the Apple Watch doesn't measure it, the hypertension notifications announced on September 9, 2025 only suggest checking with a cuff (Apple press release).
What goes into version 1
- A 30-second reading. With a hint on finger placement and a live curve.
- A tag for each reading. After sleep, after coffee, after a workout.
- History and export. A chart by day and a file for the doctor.
- Saving to Health. Optional, with a clear explanation.
- A "not a medical device" line. On the result screen, not in fine print.
How heart rate apps charge
Every app in the table is free to download (US App Store, October 16, 2026) and sells a subscription. Appto's research suggested the opposite angle, a one-time purchase with no ads and no subscription, with heart rate variability and export. Against a shelf of subscriptions that is a visible difference.
Risks
- Medical claims. No diagnoses and no blood pressure from the camera.
- Accuracy. Cold fingers and movement cause errors. Show signal quality.
- Built-in features. The Apple Watch measures pulse itself, so the app is for people without a watch and for reading analysis.
How we counted
Appto estimates revenue from 30 days of App Store rating growth, before Apple's commission. It is our estimate, not Apple data. In half of the cases the estimate is within 2x of the real figure, in four out of five within 3x, and for large apps it tends to run low. Ads, web sales and Google Play are not included. The method is explained in our article on estimating app revenue.
Next steps
This niche came from Appto's research on September 19, 2026. Before you start you can recheck it in Appto on fresh App Store data. Appto and the agent build the screens and the measurement code and the App Store page, and submit the app to Apple from your account or show you what to press in App Store Connect.
Questions
How much do heart rate apps make?
By our estimate as of October 16, 2026, Heartica makes $389K–1.56M a month, Heart Beat $217K–870K and iCardiac $201K–802K. It is an estimate from App Store rating growth, not Apple data.
How does a phone measure pulse?
A finger covers the camera and flash, and the app watches the red channel brightness. Each beat darkens the image slightly, and the peaks give the pulse.
Can the camera measure blood pressure?
No. The App Store rules don't permit apps that claim to measure blood pressure with phone sensors alone. Blood pressure can be logged from a cuff.
Do I need HealthKit?
Not necessarily. Saving pulse to Health is useful, but turn it on only if the person wants it.
Is there room for a newcomer?
Yes. Heart Beat launched in 2025 and was number 32 in US grossing Health & Fitness on October 16, 2026.
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