How Smartphones’ ECG Apps Are Changing Heart Health Monitoring

Heart health is more important than ever, and now, your smartphone can help you track it. With the rise of ECG apps, it’s possible to monitor your heart’s rhythm, detect irregularities like AFib, and even share reports with your doctor, all from your phone or smartwatch.

Now, we get it. There are so many apps out there. It’s hard to know which one to trust. Which one works best for the iPhone? What about Android? Don’t worry. We’ve broken it all down for you in a detailed way.

Let’s go through the best apps for ECG out there and help you pick the right one for your needs.

5 Best ECG Apps in 2025 (Ranked & Reviewed)

We’ve tested and reviewed the best ECG monitoring apps available right now. Whether you use an iPhone, an Android, or a smartwatch, here are our top picks.

Best Overall ECG App – Kardia Mobile App

Available on iPhone, Android Works with external Kardia Mobile device Best For: Medical-grade ECG accuracy at home

Kardia Mobile by AliveCor is a trusted name in mobile heart monitoring. It works with a small device that records a medical-grade ECG in 30 seconds. It’s FDA-cleared and doctor-approved.

How to Use Kardia Mobile

Here’s how you can use this device.

1. Get the Device:

• First, buy the Kardia Mobile device. You can find it online or in some stores.

2. Download the App:

• Go to the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).
• Search for “Kardia” and download the app.

3. Open the App:

• Follow the setup instructions. It’s quick.

4. Place Your Fingers on the Device:

• Put two fingers from each hand on the metal pads.
• Hold still for 30 seconds. That’s it!

5. See Your Heart Report:

• The app will show your ECG.
• It tells you if your heart looks normal or not.

6. Share with Your Doctor:

• You can save or email the report to your doctor right from the app.

Benefits and Downsides of the Kardia Mobile App

Here’s a simple table showing the benefits and downsides of the Kardia Mobile app so you can quickly see what’s good and what to think about before using it:

Benefits	Downsides
Highly accurate ECG readings Easy to use at home or anywhere Gives results in just 30 seconds Trusted by doctors and FDA-cleared Can detect AFib and other issues Works with both iPhone and Android	You need to buy the device (not free) Some features need a paid subscription May not work well if your hands are shaky

Qardio Heart Health App – Another Great ECG Option

Now, let’s talk about the Qardio app, another easy and smart way to check your heart. It works with a small device called QardioCore or QardioArm. This app helps track your ECG, blood pressure, and heart rate all in one place.

Qardio not only tracks your ECG (with QardioCore) but also blood pressure, weight, and more. It’s great if you want to keep an eye on your heart from home.

Compatible with: iPhone, Apple Watch, Android Requires Device? Yes, QardioCore ECG wearable Best For: Users who want full body metrics and continuous ECG

How It Works

To use the Qardio app, first buy the QardioCore device for ECG or QardioArm for blood pressure. Then, download the Qardio app from the App Store or Google Play. Open the app and follow the steps to connect your device using Bluetooth.

If you’re using QardioCore, strap it around your chest the way the guide shows. Once it’s set up, tap the app to start a reading. It will track your ECG, heart rate, and heart rhythm.

After a few moments, you’ll see your results right in the app. You can also save or email the reports to your doctor with just a few taps.

Benefits	Downsides
Tracks multiple vitals (heart rate, temp, HRV) Continuous monitoring Clinical-grade accuracy	You need to buy the Qardio device QardioCore is not cheap Needs Bluetooth to connect properly Not for emergency use. It’s for regular tracking

Best ECG App for iPhone

These apps work seamlessly with iPhones and Apple Watches.

Apple Watch ECG App

Let’s talk about another top app for ECG: Apple Watch ECG. If you have an Apple Watch Series 4 or later, you already have one of the best heart-checking tools on your wrist.

Apple’s built-in ECG feature lets users record their heart rhythm and get results instantly. You can export the data as a PDF for your doctor.

Platform: iOS (Apple Watch Series 4+) Requires Device? Yes, Apple Watch Best For: Apple users looking for built-in ECG

How It Works:

To use the ECG app on your Apple Watch, first make sure you have a Series 4 or newer watch. Then, open the Health app on your iPhone and set up the ECG feature by following the steps shown.

Once it’s ready, open the ECG app on your Apple Watch. Sit down, relax your arm, and gently place your finger on the Digital Crown (the round button on the side of the watch.)

Hold still for 30 seconds while the watch checks your heart rhythm. When it’s done, your ECG result will appear on the watch and also get saved in the Health app on your iPhone.

Benefits	Downsides
Built into Apple Watch No extra hardware needed Instant reports, shareable with doctors FDA-cleared and trusted by doctors	Only works with Apple Watch Series 4 or newer Doesn’t detect all heart conditions

Cardiio

Let’s talk about Cardiio, an app that checks your heart without any extra devices. Yes, just your phone! It’s not a full ECG app like others, but it gives you helpful heart info using your phone’s camera. It’s great if you want to track your heart rate quickly and easily.

While Cardiio is primarily developed for iOS, there is an Android version available through third-party sources like APKPure. If you’re using an Android device, exercise caution when downloading apps from third-party sources, as they may not be as secure or reliable as official app stores.

For the best experience and full feature set, using Cardiio on an iOS device is recommended.

Camera-based heart rate monitoring Platform: iOS, Android (Through Third-party Sources) Requires Device? No Best For: Beginners who want a free pulse-checking app

How It Works:

To use Cardiio, first download it from the App Store. Open the app and allow camera access when it asks. Tap “Start,” then gently place your finger on the back camera.

The app uses the flash and camera to read your pulse by watching tiny changes in your skin. Hold still for a few seconds, and it will show your heart rate on the screen.

You can also see graphs and trends to track how your heart rate changes over time. Just remember, it’s not a real ECG, but it’s great for basic heart rate checking.

Benefits	Downsides
Free version available Easy to use No device needed	Not medically certified Only shows heart rate, not electrical activity

Spandan ECG Monitoring App: Best for Android

Spandan is a small ECG device that connects with its Android app. It gives medical-level 12 Lead ECG results. You just place the device on your chest or wrist, and it shows your heart report in the app. It even tells you if your ECG is normal or not, so you don’t need to guess. It’s great for people at home, in small clinics, or in villages.

Portable ECG Monitoring Automatic ECG Analysis Android Only Best for rural clinics, home users, and quick medical-grade ECG checks on Android.

How It Works:

To use the Spandan ECG monitoring app, first connect the Spandan ECG device to your Android phone and download the Spandan ECG app from Google Play.

Open the app and follow the on-screen steps to place the ECG leads on your chest just like shown in the instructions. Once everything is set, tap “Start Test” in the app.

The device will check your heart and show your real-time heart signals. After a short time, it gives you a full ECG report with automatic analysis, which you can read, save, or share with your doctor easily.

Benefits	Downsides
Easy to use at home Shows ECG quickly Medical-grade accuracy Helps doctors in small clinics	You need to buy the device Needs careful placement

If you’re using ECG monitoring apps or home monitors, it also helps to know how to understand the results. Check out our guide on how to read an ECG to learn the basics.

Why Should You Use ECG Apps?

There are several types of ECG tests, and now, with smartphones, even app-based ECGs are available.

You should use ECG apps because they help you catch heart problems early, like irregular heartbeats such as AFib, fast heartbeats (tachycardia), or slow heartbeats (bradycardia). These apps are super handy.

You can check your heart anytime, whether you’re at home, at the gym, or even while travelling. They also let you save your results as clear PDF reports so you can easily show them to your doctor.

Most importantly, ECG apps give you peace of mind because you know your heart is being watched and you’re staying on top of your health.

Wrapping Up: Choose the Right ECG App for You

ECG apps are super helpful for modern heart health monitoring. If you’re an athlete, someone with a heart condition, or just health-conscious, there are these effective and handy tools out there for you.

In short:

• Want the most accurate ECG? Choose Kardia.
• Want all body stats? Pick Qardio.
• Have an Apple Watch? Use Apple ECG.
• Just want to check your heart rate for free? Try Cardiio.
• Use Android and want medical-level ECG? Go for Spandan.

Just remember: while these apps are powerful tools, they don’t replace medical diagnosis; they support it.

And if you’re serious about heart health or want to understand ECG results better, you might also consider taking an ECG training course. It’s a great way to learn how to read heart rhythms and spot early warning signs.

Do you have any questions about ECG monitoring apps? Contact us now!

FAQs

1) What does an ECG monitoring app do?

An ECG monitoring app checks your heart’s electrical activity. It can spot issues like fast, slow, or uneven heartbeats.

2) Can ECG apps replace doctors?

No, they can’t replace doctors. These apps help you track your heart, but only a doctor can give you a full diagnosis.

3) Is KardiaMobile accurate?

Yes, KardiaMobile is very accurate and FDA-approved. Many heart doctors trust it for home use.

4) Do I need the internet to use these apps?

You can record ECGs without the internet. But you’ll need it to save, share, or send your reports.

5) Is there any free ECG app for Android?

Yes, Cardiio offers free heart checks. They give basic info and are easy to use.