> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sonohealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# EKGraph vs. Apple Watch ECG: Which Should You Use?

> How the SonoHealth EKGraph compares to the Apple Watch ECG app — both are single-lead, FDA-cleared personal ECGs, but they differ on screen, cost, ecosystem, and who each suits best.

The SonoHealth EKGraph and the Apple Watch ECG app are both FDA-cleared single-lead ECGs that record your heart's rhythm in about 30 seconds and can flag possible atrial fibrillation. The core difference is that the EKGraph is a dedicated \$79 device with its own screen and no ecosystem lock-in, while the Apple Watch bundles ECG into a smartwatch you wear all day but requires an Apple Watch plus iPhone. Neither replaces a clinical 12-lead EKG or diagnoses heart disease.

<Warning>
  Neither device can rule out a heart attack. If you have chest pain or pressure, fainting, or severe shortness of breath, **call 911** — do not stop to record a trace.
</Warning>

## What do they have in common?

Both are [single-lead](/ekg/single-lead-vs-12-lead) ECGs cleared by the FDA for home use, both capture a roughly 30-second trace, and both can flag possible [atrial fibrillation](/ekg/atrial-fibrillation) as a prompt to seek care. Both are screening and tracking tools, not diagnostic machines — see [what a home EKG can and can't tell you](/ekg/overview).

## How are they different?

| Feature           | SonoHealth EKGraph                             | Apple Watch ECG (typical)                                   |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------- |
| Form factor       | Dedicated handheld device                      | ECG feature inside a smartwatch                             |
| On-device result  | Yes — built-in screen, no phone needed         | Shown on the watch, syncs to the paired iPhone              |
| Requirements      | None beyond the device                         | Apple Watch (Series 4+) **and** an iPhone                   |
| Recording methods | 4 (Lead I & II)                                | Finger-on-crown (Lead I equivalent)                         |
| Storage           | Free unlimited cloud storage, no subscription  | Stored in the Health app on your iPhone                     |
| Price             | $79 (reg. $149)                                | Cost of the Apple Watch (typically several hundred dollars) |
| Best for          | Anyone wanting a low-cost, standalone recorder | People already in the Apple ecosystem                       |

Specs for the EKGraph are grounded in its [product facts](https://sonohealth.com/products/ekgraph-portable-ekg-monitor-detect-afib-abnormalities); confirm current Apple Watch details on Apple's site. For the broader category view, see [personal EKG vs. smartwatch](/ekg/personal-ekg-vs-smartwatch).

## Which is easier when a symptom hits?

If you own a compatible Apple Watch, "always on your wrist" is convenient for catching a random flutter. But the EKGraph's built-in screen shows a classification — No Abnormalities, Arrhythmia, Bradycardia, Tachycardia, and more — without unlocking a phone, and it can be shared with a spouse or [older parent](/ekg/best-personal-ekg-for-seniors) who doesn't wear a smartwatch. For tips that apply to either, see [how to take a good reading](/ekg/how-to-take-a-good-ekg-reading).

## Which should you choose?

If you already wear a recent Apple Watch and live in that ecosystem, its built-in ECG is handy and worth using. If you want an affordable, self-contained recorder — no smartwatch, no phone required to see a result, no subscription, and shareable across a household — the EKGraph is the more direct fit. Either way, treat any flag as a screening prompt and review it with your clinician.

<Note>
  A personal ECG documents and tracks your heart rhythm; it does not diagnose heart disease. Confirm any abnormal finding with a healthcare professional — see [when to see a doctor](/ekg/when-to-see-a-doctor-heart).
</Note>

***

**Related:** [Personal EKG vs. Smartwatch](/ekg/personal-ekg-vs-smartwatch) · [EKGraph vs. KardiaMobile](/ekg/ekgraph-vs-kardiamobile) · [How to Choose a Personal EKG Monitor](/ekg/choosing-a-personal-ekg) · [Best Portable EKG Under \$100](/ekg/best-portable-ekg-under-100) · [Single-Lead vs. 12-Lead](/ekg/single-lead-vs-12-lead)