Comparison · checked 20 October 2026
An Apple Breathe alternative for Mac, PC and Android
Apple's Breathe session, part of the Mindfulness app, is a gentle guided breath on the Apple Watch: a blooming animation and haptic taps, 4 to 10 breaths a minute, for 1 to 5 minutes. But it lives on your wrist. Breathcharge brings the same idea to any screen, with music, breath holds and the physiological sigh. The timer above is set to 4-6 breathing, six breaths a minute.
Start breathingSide by side
| Feature | Breathcharge | Apple Breathe (Mindfulness) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Included with Apple Watch |
| Where it runs | Any browser: Mac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android | Apple Watch (and Apple Vision Pro) |
| Breathing pace | Any pattern, to 0.1 s | 4 to 10 breaths per minute |
| Session length | Breaths, 1–240 minutes or open-ended | 1 to 5 minutes |
| Longer exhale than inhale | Yes | Not documented |
| Breath holds | Yes | Not documented |
| Second sharp inhale (physiological sigh) | Yes | No |
| Guidance | Visual orb, music, optional countdown | Animation and haptic taps |
| Heart-rate tracking | No | Yes |
Checked on 20 October 2026 against Apple's Mindfulness guide and the Breathe App Store listing. Prices are US store prices and vary by country. Breathcharge isn't affiliated with any of these companies; all trademarks belong to their owners. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.
When Apple Breathe is the better choice
If you wear an Apple Watch, Breathe is always on your wrist, guides you with haptics so you can close your eyes, and logs mindful minutes and heart rate to the Health app. Nothing beats it for a one-minute pause on the go. Many people use both: the watch away from the desk, Breathcharge at it.
What Breathcharge does differently
- Nothing to install. It runs in any modern browser on Mac, Windows, Linux, Chromebook, iPhone and Android, and can be added to your home screen to work offline.
- Everything is free. Every technique, any pattern and any session length. No account, no ads and no premium tier.
- The physiological sigh, with a real second sharp inhale and music that crossfades into it.
- Built for your desk. A floating always-on-top window, the phase in the browser tab and audio that stays in time in the background.
- Honest about the science. Every guide cites peer-reviewed studies and says how strong the evidence is.
Breathing safely
The slow patterns here are gentle, but holds and deep inhales can make you light-headed. Stop and breathe normally if you feel dizzy. Never practise breath holds in or near water, or while driving. If you are pregnant, or have a heart, lung or seizure condition or panic disorder, check with a clinician first. Breathing exercises can complement medical care but don't replace it.
Questions
Is there an Apple Breathe app for Mac?
Apple does not make a Mac version; Breathe is part of the Mindfulness app on Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro. Breathcharge runs in Safari, Chrome or any browser on a Mac, and can float above your other windows in Chrome or Edge.
Can I use Apple Breathe without an Apple Watch?
Not on iPhone, as far as we can find. Breathcharge works on any phone in the browser and can be added to the home screen like an app.
How do I match the Apple Watch breathing rate?
Apple Breathe uses breaths per minute. In Breathcharge, 5 seconds in and 5 out gives 6 breaths per minute; 4 in and 6 out also gives 6, with a longer exhale.