What Are the Differences Between Pulsetto, Truvaga and Apollo Neuro? A Vagus Nerve Device Breakdown
“The vagus nerve is a major information superhighway, sending signals that act as reflexes to control how the critical organs in the body operate."
Vagus nerve stimulation devices have moved into the mainstream wellness market as more people look for ways to manage stress, sleep and focus. Here’s how three of the most prominent options — Pulsetto, Truvaga and Apollo Neuro — compare on technology, use and price.
What is the vagus nerve?
The vagus nerve is the longest of the twelve cranial nerves, extending from the brainstem throughout the head, neck, face and torso. It constantly carries electrical and chemical signals between the brain and the body, helping regulate essential functions such as speaking, swallowing, digestion, breathing and blood circulation, among many others.
“It connects to all the organs in your chest and abdomen that you never think about but are critical to your survival: your heart, lungs, liver, spleen and all the organs involved in your gastrointestinal system, among many others,” Kevin Tracey, MD, president and CEO of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research at Northwell Health and Innovator on the 2026 TIME100 Health list, told Northwell Health.
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“The vagus nerve is a major information superhighway, sending signals that act as reflexes to control how the critical organs in the body operate,” he added. “I like to think of it as an orchestra of 200,000 instruments that produce a balanced output, or a harmony that contributes to the body’s ability to function properly.”
How does Pulsetto work and how much does it cost?
Pulsetto is a hands-free wearable that mounts on the neck and runs guided vagus nerve stimulation sessions through a companion app. The Pulsetto Lite costs $278 and the Pulsetto Fit costs $296.
The device is designed for moments when the user is seeking relaxation — before sleep, during or before meditation, after exercise, between meetings or while winding down. The app houses different programs targeting goals like sleep, stress and anxiety. The app offers stimulation programs and allows you to control the device’s pulse intensity and customize sessions.
“Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation delivers gentle electrical signals through the skin to activate the vagus nerve, producing similar physiological effects to surgical implants without any incision or medical procedure,” the website explains of the process.
How does Truvaga work and how much does it cost?
Truvaga sells two handheld vagus nerve stimulation devices: the rechargeable Truvaga Plus at $499 and the disposable Truvaga 350 at $325, according to the company. Both deliver gentle two-minute stimulation sessions at the neck.
Truvaga lists four key benefits on its website. Stress relief is framed as soothing the fight-or-flight response with gentle two-minute vagus nerve stimulation. Improved sleep comes from balancing the nervous system before bed to support deeper, uninterrupted rest. Enhanced focus is positioned as boosting clarity and shaking off brain fog by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Support for gut health is described as activating the vagus nerve to improve digestion and enhance the brain-gut connection.
The two models differ in design and lifespan. The Truvaga Plus is rechargeable with unlimited two-minute sessions and a more portable build. “Truvaga Plus is a fully rechargeable option. It has Unlimited Sessions — Truvaga Plus has an unlimited number of 2-minute sessions for longer-term use,” the company says. “Rechargeable — No batteries needed. Truvaga Plus is now rechargeable, sustainable, and more environmentally friendly.”
The Truvaga 350 takes a different approach. It is designed to deliver 350 two-minute sessions and is then disposed of. Because of that finite lifespan, the company intentionally built it cord-free and app-free, offering a simple, no-connectivity experience right out of the box.
Truvaga frames both devices as non-invasive and drug-free, and backs them with a 30-day return window. “We stand behind our product and want you to be completely satisfied,” the company says. “If you’re not, simply return it within 30 days for a full refund.”
Compared with Pulsetto’s hands-free wearable and Apollo Neuro’s vibration-based wrist device, Truvaga’s handheld format is built around short, targeted sessions a user actively delivers — closer to a clinical stimulation routine than a passive background wearable.
How does Apollo Neuro work and how much does it cost?
Apollo Neuro is a wrist or ankle wearable that uses patented silent sound wave vibrations — called Vibes — to influence the nervous system through touch. Pricing runs from $349 to $448 depending on the membership bundle and accessories chosen, according to the company.
Apollo describes its technology as rooted in decades of research. “Apollo is a new kind of technology that reminds us how good it feels to feel good. Based on over 60 years of research into the neuroscience of soothing touch, Apollo is designed to improve the balance of the nervous system by sending patented silent sound wave vibrations (called Vibes) to your body,” the company says. “As Apollo Vibes are music composed for your body instead of your ears, they are safe for children and adults alike and can be used as much as you like.”
The wearable is pitched as an active recovery tool rather than a tracker. “The Apollo wearable improves your body’s resilience to stress, so you can relax, sleep, focus, recover and feel better,” the company says. “Rather than tracking your health, the Apollo wearable is proven to actively improve it.”
Apollo recommends consistent daily wear to see sleep benefits. “Apollo’s soothing vibrations remind your body that it’s safe enough to recover through your sense of touch,” the company says. “Thanks to over a decade of scientific studies on the Apollo technology led by university researchers, we have determined that using Apollo at least three hours per day, and wearing it to bed seven nights per week will statistically significantly improve your sleep within as little as 21 days.”
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