ONDA vs Breathwrk
Breathwrk (now part of Peloton) is a library of guided breathing exercises, classes and programs for calm, focus and sleep, on iOS, Android and the web; its official materials (checked 2026-10-11) describe no heart-rate or HRV feedback. ONDA is HRV-biofeedback-first: with an Apple Watch it shows your pulse and a live coherence score respond as you breathe, with no chest strap, and the iPhone camera gives a quick pulse and breathing check without one. Both are breath-centred; they differ in whether there is a biometric loop at all.
VERDICT
Breathwrk is breathing-first with no documented biometric feedback; ONDA is HRV-biofeedback-first with breathing as the vehicle. For exercise variety and classes, Breathwrk. For a live biofeedback loop with an Apple Watch, ONDA.
Capabilities side by side
| Capability | ONDA | Breathwrk |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time HRV biofeedback (live feedback as you breathe)Breathwrk’s official site and App Store listing describe no heart-rate, HRV or coherence feedback (checked 2026-10-11). | ✓ | — |
| Live coherence score | ✓ | — |
| Guided / paced breathingBreathwrk’s guided exercises, daily classes and programs are its core strength. | ✓ | ✓ |
| Works with no wearable or chest strap (iPhone camera)Breathwrk’s breathing exercises need no device — but there is no camera or sensor measurement either. | ✓ | ~ |
| Apple Watch supportThe App Store lists iPhone, Mac and Vision — no Apple Watch app; Apple Health integration logs Mindfulness Minutes. | ✓ | — |
| Resting-HRV trend over time | ✓ | — |
| Sleep / overnight readiness tracking | ~ | — |
| Large meditation / sleep content library | ~ | — |
| Structured, progressive program | ✓ | ~ |
✓ Yes · ~ Limited · — No
BEST FOR ONDA
Choose ONDA if you want HRV biofeedback and a coherence score as the core experience, with an Apple Watch — no chest strap or Bluetooth sensor.
BEST FOR BREATHWRK
Choose Breathwrk if you mainly want guided breathing exercises, classes and programs, and do not need to see your heart respond.
Questions
ONDA or Breathwrk for HRV biofeedback?
ONDA puts HRV biofeedback at the centre — with an Apple Watch, live heart-rhythm feedback and a coherence score as you breathe. Breathwrk’s official materials describe no heart-rate or HRV feedback, so it is a guided-breathing app rather than a biofeedback tool. For biofeedback, ONDA; for a library of guided breathing exercises and classes, Breathwrk.
Does Breathwrk measure HRV?
Not according to its official site and App Store listing (checked 2026-10-11): they describe guided exercises, classes and programs, and Apple Health logging of Mindfulness Minutes, but no heart-rate or HRV measurement.