Best ECG Apps Compared: Complete 2026 Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of HeartLab, Apple Watch ECG, ECG+, Qaly, KardiaMobile, and Welltory. 15 features compared with honest pros and cons for each app.
Feature Comparison
With several ECG and heart monitoring apps available, choosing the right one depends on your specific needs. This comprehensive comparison evaluates six popular options across 15+ features including arrhythmia detection, HRV analysis, privacy, price, and usability. Whether you need clinical-grade arrhythmia detection, raw waveform viewing, human cardiologist review, or wellness tracking, this guide helps you find the best fit.
| Feature | HeartLab | Apple ECG | ECG+ | Qaly | KardiaMobile | Welltory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFib Detection | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | Human | ✓ | ✗ |
| PVC Detection | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Human | KardiaCare | ✗ |
| PAC Detection | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | Human | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bigeminy/Trigeminy | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| HRV Metrics | 12+ | Basic | Limited | None | Basic | 5–6 |
| Poincaré Plot | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| AI Assistant | ✓ | ✗ | GPT | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| PDF Reports | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| On-Device Processing | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Extra Hardware | None | None | None | None | $69–$199 | None |
| Base Price | Free | Free | Free | $9.99/mo | $9.99/mo | Free |
| Languages | 16 | 40+ | 5 | 3 | 10+ | 5 |
| Cardiac Score | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| ECG Trends | ✓ | Limited | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Wellness Features | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Why Choose HeartLab
HeartLab offers the most comprehensive feature set. It is the only app that combines PVC/PAC/bigeminy detection, 12+ HRV metrics, Poincaré plots, an AI assistant, PDF reports, cardiac scoring, and trend tracking — all with on-device processing for complete privacy. No extra hardware needed.
For users who want the deepest possible analysis of their Apple Watch ECG recordings without compromising privacy or buying additional hardware, HeartLab is the clear leader. It supports 16 languages and offers a free tier to get started.
Why Choose All ECG Apps
Each app has unique strengths worth considering:
- Apple Watch ECG: Simplest option, FDA-cleared for AFib, zero setup, 40+ languages.
- ECG+: Best raw waveform viewer, useful basic measurements (QT, QTc, PR).
- Qaly: Only option with human cardiologist review, good for users who want professional oversight.
- KardiaMobile: Unique 6-lead ECG option (6L model), FDA-cleared, works without Apple Watch.
- Welltory: Best for daily stress/wellness tracking, camera-based HRV, gamification.
FAQ
What is the best ECG app for Apple Watch in 2026?
For comprehensive arrhythmia detection and HRV analysis, HeartLab leads with PVC/PAC/bigeminy detection, 12+ HRV metrics, and on-device privacy. For simplicity, Apple's built-in ECG works well. For raw waveform viewing, try ECG+. For human review, choose Qaly.
Which ECG app detects the most arrhythmias?
HeartLab detects the widest range: AFib, PVCs, PACs, bigeminy, and trigeminy. KardiaMobile detects AFib and PVCs (with KardiaCare subscription). Apple Watch ECG only detects AFib. ECG+ and Welltory do not detect arrhythmias.
Which ECG apps process data on-device?
Only HeartLab and Apple Watch ECG process data entirely on-device. ECG+ uses cloud GPT, Qaly sends data to cardiologists, KardiaMobile uses AliveCor's cloud, and Welltory uses cloud processing.
Do I need extra hardware for any of these apps?
Only KardiaMobile requires extra hardware ($69-$199 device). All other apps work with an Apple Watch (HeartLab, Apple ECG, ECG+) or just a smartphone (Qaly, Welltory).
Which is the cheapest ECG app?
HeartLab, Apple Watch ECG, ECG+, and Welltory all offer free tiers. Qaly requires $9.99/month for cardiologist reviews. KardiaMobile requires hardware ($69-$199) plus optional KardiaCare at $9.99/month.
Information accurate as of February 2026. Features and pricing may change. Check respective app stores for the latest details. HeartLab is not a medical device and does not replace professional medical advice.
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