Are there apps like Calm for relaxation?

Looking for apps similar to Calm for guided meditations and relaxation. I’ve been using Calm a lot but would love to explore other options that provide similar features. Any suggestions for trusted, high-quality alternatives?

  1. Headspace

    • Homepage Link: www.headspace.com
    • Pros:
      • Offers a diverse range of guided meditations, animations, and mindfulness techniques.
      • Tailored meditation plans for sleep, stress, anxiety, focus, and fitness.
      • Sleek, user-friendly interface that’s engaging and beginner-friendly.
      • Includes sleepcasts (bedtime stories) backed by calming audio design.
    • Cons:
      • Pricier than some alternatives (monthly pricing starts at $12.99).
      • Limited free content beyond the trial period.
    • Features:
      • Stress-management tools, daily guided sessions, and focused meditation challenges.
      • Sleep section addressing relaxation and better rest quality.
      • Specialized content for adults and kids.
    • User Reviews: Many users praise its ability to create a structured and welcoming introduction to meditation and mindfulness habits over time. Some are not big fans of the move to subscription-based pricing.
    • Verdict: Headspace is an excellent platform for those looking to start or deepen their mindfulness journey while offering fun, professionally developed content.
  2. Insight Timer

    • Homepage Link: www.insighttimer.com
    • Pros:
      • Extensive library of 150k+ free meditations.
      • Includes community features like group discussions for building connection.
      • Wide variety of instructors and topics, from mindfulness to healing techniques.
      • Free tier offers great value.
    • Cons:
      • Interface is slightly overwhelming for beginners due to the massive amount of content.
      • Premium tier adds features, but the free version still limits certain offerings.
    • Features:
      • Timer-based meditation modes with customizable notification sounds.
      • Features calming music, binaural beats, and yoga-inspired content.
      • Sleep-focused content and live events hosted by experts.
    • User Reviews: Users appreciate the wealth of free material and variety but mention that the app can feel disorganized in terms of curation.
    • Verdict: Insight Timer is perfect for those seeking an affordable way to access endless free mindfulness content, even if it means sacrificing simplicity.
  3. 10% Happier

    • Homepage Link: www.tenpercent.com
    • Pros:
      • Targets skeptical meditators with a science-backed approach.
      • Features lessons and practical exercises for real-world applications.
      • Provides advice from well-known meditation teachers like Tara Brach and Joseph Goldstein.
    • Cons:
      • Limited breadth of content compared to competitors.
      • Paid subscription required for full access (starts at $99/year).
    • Features:
      • Emphasis on secular, practical mindfulness techniques.
      • Personalized meditation coaching feature.
      • Tracks progress and builds mindfulness habits.
    • User Reviews: User feedback highlights its down-to-earth approach and relatable content, making it accessible to meditation skeptics.
    • Verdict: Aimed at skeptical or no-nonsense users, 10% Happier is effective if you’re looking for practical meditation help without all the fluff.
  4. Breethe

    • Homepage Link: www.breethe.com
    • Pros:
      • Versatile content, including meditation, sleep tools, and life coaching.
      • Designed for everyday use with lighthearted, uplifting content.
      • Offers mood-specific guided meditation playlists.
    • Cons:
      • User interface could use more polish.
      • Content variety may overwhelm casual users.
    • Features:
      • Modules for stress relief, resilience building, and work-life balance.
      • Integrates music and ambient sounds for relaxation.
      • Offers offline playback for convenience.
    • User Reviews: Users love its humor-infused approach and holistic mindset, though some mention occasional technical glitches.
    • Verdict: Breethe is perfect for those seeking a variety of techniques and insights with a less traditional approach to meditation.
  5. Simple Habit

    • Homepage Link: www.simplehabit.com
    • Pros:
      • Short, 5-minute guided meditations perfect for busy lifestyles.
      • Focused categories like “before a meeting” or “on a stressful day.”
      • Sleek, minimalist UI makes navigation easy.
    • Cons:
      • Limited free content; most value is locked behind a paywall.
      • Short meditations might feel simplistic for deep work seekers.
    • Features:
      • Meditation programs tailored to stress relief, productivity & travel assistance.
      • Sleep aid content available for winding down at night.
      • Expert instructors with varied mindfulness backgrounds.
    • User Reviews: Users appreciate the ‘bite-sized’ meditation techniques and practical usability but often criticize the frequency of paywall features.
    • Verdict: If you’re pressed for time and need quick, practical guidance throughout a busy day, Simple Habit is one of the better-targeted apps to explore.
  6. Balance

    • Homepage Link: www.balanceapp.com
    • Pros:
      • Fully personalized meditation courses based on individual goals.
      • Regular updates for creating highly adaptive programs over time.
      • Free first-year subscription keeps costs low for new adopters.
    • Cons:
      • Content library isn’t as robust as some of the competitors.
      • Still growing, so lacks scalability in some guided areas.
    • Features:
      • Unique daily meditations customized via direct A.I. interaction.
      • Metrics and feedback loops encourage goal-tracking.
      • Specialized mood elevation practices for seasonal challenges.
    • User Reviews: Users love the unique personalization element but sometimes complain about occasional repetition in daily content suggestion patterns.
    • Verdict: Perfect option for folks seeking individualized attention and tailored practices over generic meditation experiences.
  7. Aura

    • Homepage Link: www.aurahealth.io
    • Pros:
      • Multi-sensory approach: meditations, stories, and music curated together.
      • Delivers highly targeted bite-size sessions (3–5 minutes).
      • AI-curated playlists improve content relevancy over time.
    • Cons:
      • Subscription costs can climb steeply for premium packages.
      • Focused more on diversity than depth, which might not fit advanced meditators.
    • Features:
      • Versatile audio library curated for emotional balance.
      • Journaling tools for tracking emotional improvements.
      • Daily reminders to create consistent habits.
    • User Reviews: Users give strong feedback about its supportive interface and short-session offerings. However, advanced meditators feel its scope is too shallow.
    • Verdict: Aura is fantastic for those looking at holistic wellness on the go, especially given its ‘quick meditations for quick results’ focus.
  8. MyLife Meditation (formerly Stop, Breathe & Think)

    • Homepage Link: my.life
    • Pros:
      • Check-in feature lets you choose meditations based on current mood.
      • Kid-friendly content perfect for families.
      • Straightforward, beginner-friendly UI.
    • Cons:
      • Limited scope as compared to apps with more expansive libraries.
      • Advanced practitioners may outgrow it over time.
    • Features:
      • Daily mood tracking combined with tangible feedback on emotional resilience.
      • Links between emotion recordings and mindfulness goals.
    • User Reviews: Greatly recommended for kids and beginners who need simplicity; less enthusiast-leaning for mid-level meditators.
    • Verdict: MyLife is ideal for novices venturing into self-awareness through ease-of-use combined with mood-responsive tools.
  9. Smiling Mind

    • Homepage Link: www.smilingmind.com.au
    • Pros:
      • 100% free app developed by psychologists.
      • Goal-oriented frameworks for adults, teens, and children.
      • Integrates mindfulness-enhanced education for classroom settings.
    • Cons:
      • Less dynamic in music/sound content compared to subscription-heavy apps.
      • Geographic focus on Australia may limit global relevance.
    • Features:
      • Mental fitness programs tied to physical health practices.
      • Stances against increasing digital distractions—focus is anti-burnout.
    • User Reviews: Users often praise that it’s free for families and provides strong content for younger audiences.
    • Verdict: A highly inclusive (and affordable!) mindfulness app for education-driven organizations and family households.
  10. Relax Melodies (now ‘BetterSleep’)

  • Homepage Link: www.bettersleep.com
  • Pros:
    • Extensive soundscapes: white noise, ASMR, melodies, natural sounds.
    • Features guided bedtime stories alongside original relaxation tracks.
    • Blending and customizing sound layers for personal choice.
  • Cons:
    • Focus remains largely sleep-oriented without full meditation variety.
    • Progress tracking tools feel bare-bones.
  • Features:
    • DIY mixer for sound enthusiasts supporting relaxation or productivity balance.
    • Sleep-oriented programs scientifically validated.
  • User Reviews: Praised highly for sleep improvement but criticized for scratching only surface-level mindfulness needs.
  • Verdict: Better for insomniacs or those focused exclusively toward physical rejuvenation practices before diving into deeper guided tools.