5 Best Breath Holding Apps in 2026: Complete Roundup
We tested the top 5 breath holding and apnea training apps for 2026. Here's an honest breakdown of what each does best — including our own app.
This comparison is written by the BreathHold team. We strive for accuracy and fairness, but acknowledge our inherent bias. All data verified from public app store listings as of the publication date.
The Best Breath Holding Apps in 2026
Whether you're training for freediving, improving stress management, or simply curious about breath hold practice, there's an app for you. We've tested five of the most popular options and break down exactly where each one excels.
We're the team behind BreathHold, which is included in this roundup. We've done our best to be fair and factual about all apps, including acknowledging where competitors outperform us. All claims are verifiable from app store listings and official websites.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | BreathHold | STAmina | Freediving Trainer | Apnea Diver | Apnea Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS | |||||
| Android | |||||
| CO2 Tables | |||||
| O2 Tables | |||||
| Box Breathing | |||||
| 4-7-8 Breathing | |||||
| HR/SpO2 Tracking | |||||
| Contraction Marking | |||||
| Multi-User | |||||
| Dive Logbook | |||||
| Video Tutorials | |||||
| Pranayama Mode | |||||
| Custom Tables | |||||
| User Base | 1K+ | 50K+ | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Rating | 5.0★ | 4.9★ | 4.7★ | 4.2★ | 4.8★ |
1. BreathHold
Best for: Beginners and users wanting both apnea training and general breathwork
BreathHold combines traditional apnea training (CO2 and O2 tables) with a broader library of breathing exercises including box breathing, rectangular breathing, and 4-7-8 patterns. The modern interface, video tutorials, and audio guidance make it the most accessible option for newcomers.
BreathHold
Pros
- Broadest exercise variety of any app in this list
- Video tutorials teach proper technique
- Clean, modern UI with intuitive navigation
- Available on both iOS and Android
- Progress tracking across all exercise types
Cons
- Smallest user base (1K+ users)
- No hardware integration for HR/SpO2
- No contraction marking or dive logbook
Who it's for: Anyone who wants one app for both apnea training and wellness breathwork. Particularly strong for beginners thanks to video tutorials and guided sessions.
2. STAmina Apnea Trainer
Best for: Dedicated freedivers who want hardware tracking
STAmina is the most established app in this category with 50K+ users. Its standout feature is heart rate and SpO2 tracking via external monitors — unique in this roundup. Five apnea table types and multi-language voice guidance (English, French, Russian) round out a mature platform.
STAmina Apnea Trainer
Pros
- Largest community (50K+ users)
- Heart rate and SpO2 tracking via external sensors
- 5 different apnea table types
- Multi-language voice guidance
- Years of refinement and stability
Cons
- No breathing exercises beyond apnea tables
- HR features require additional hardware purchase
- Interface can feel dense for new users
Who it's for: Serious freedivers who want physiological data during training and value a large, active community. The HR/SpO2 integration is genuinely useful for tracking adaptation over time.
3. Freediving Apnea Trainer
Best for: Advanced freedivers wanting maximum table customization
Freediving Apnea Trainer is the most technically-oriented app here. Editable templates, contraction marking, and square breath hold coaching give experienced practitioners tools no other app offers. It assumes you already understand apnea training theory.
Freediving Apnea Trainer
Pros
- Contraction marking — unique and valuable feature
- Fully editable templates for custom tables
- Square breath hold coaching
- Designed by and for experienced freedivers
- Maximum control over training parameters
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- No general breathing exercises
- Interface prioritizes function over form
- No video tutorials or guided onboarding
Who it's for: Intermediate to advanced freedivers who want granular control. If you know what table parameters you need and want to track contractions, this is your app.
4. Apnea Diver
Best for: Dive clubs and users who share devices
Apnea Diver (by London-based Sport 77 Limited) differentiates with multi-user support and a built-in dive logbook. These features make it practical for dive clubs or training partners sharing a tablet. Core apnea tables, pranayama, and a stopwatch cover the fundamentals.
Apnea Diver
Pros
- Multi-user support for shared devices
- Built-in dive logbook
- Pranayama tables included
- Stopwatch for timed holds
- Both CO2 and O2 tables available
Cons
- Interface feels dated
- Slower update cadence (website shows copyright 2018)
- No video tutorials or onboarding
- Limited breathing exercises beyond tables
Who it's for: Dive clubs, training groups, or anyone who needs multi-user support on a shared device. The logbook is also useful for divers who want to record their sessions in-app.
5. Apnea Trainer
Best for: iOS users focused on pranayama and yoga breathing
Apnea Trainer takes a unique approach with three distinct modes: pranayama, yoga, and custom training. It's the simplest app in this roundup — focused, clean, and easy to understand. The limitation is iOS-only availability and no standard CO2/O2 apnea tables.
Apnea Trainer
Pros
- Dedicated pranayama and yoga modes
- Simple, clean three-mode interface
- Cycle tracking within sessions
- Session time and total training stats
- Focused, no-bloat design
Cons
- iOS only — no Android version
- No standard CO2 or O2 apnea tables
- Smallest feature set in this roundup
- No video tutorials
- Limited to three modes
Who it's for: iOS users who primarily want pranayama and yoga breathing, prefer a minimal interface, and don't need structured apnea tables.
Pricing Overview
| App | Free Version | Premium | |-----|-------------|---------| | BreathHold | Yes, with premium features available | Subscription | | STAmina Apnea Trainer | Limited free version | Subscription | | Freediving Apnea Trainer | Limited free version | One-time or subscription | | Apnea Diver | Free with IAP | In-app purchases | | Apnea Trainer | Basic free | Premium unlock |
Pricing changes frequently. Check each app's store listing for current pricing as of your reading date.
How We'd Recommend Choosing
You're a beginner — Start with BreathHold for video tutorials and guided sessions, or STAmina if you want to join the largest community.
You're an advanced freediver — Freediving Apnea Trainer for maximum control and contraction tracking, or STAmina for heart rate data.
You want wellness breathwork — BreathHold is the only app here offering box breathing, 4-7-8, and rectangular breathing alongside apnea training.
You share a device — Apnea Diver is the only option with multi-user support.
You're on Android — Eliminate Apnea Trainer. Choose from BreathHold, STAmina, Freediving Apnea Trainer, or Apnea Diver.
You want pranayama specifically — Apnea Trainer (iOS) or Apnea Diver both offer pranayama modes.
Final Verdict
No single winner
Best all-rounder: BreathHold | Best for advanced divers: Freediving Apnea Trainer | Largest community: STAminaEach app serves a different primary audience. BreathHold is the most versatile all-rounder, STAmina is best for data-driven freedivers, Freediving Apnea Trainer has the deepest technical tools, Apnea Diver works best for groups, and Apnea Trainer is a solid minimal option for iOS pranayama practitioners.
All ratings and user counts as of April 2026, verified on App Store and Google Play. Features compared based on publicly available information from app store listings and official websites. Pricing is subject to change — verify on respective app stores.
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Related Resources
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ComparisonBreathHold vs STAmina Apnea Trainer: Honest Comparison (2026)
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