Apps and online care
BetterSleep vs Calm
They differ on 5 of 10 things we check. No winner here: the better one is the one that fits what you need and how you'd pay.
BetterSleep
BetterSleep helps you wind down with sleep sounds you can mix, meditations and bedtime stories, and it can track your sleep.
Calm
Calm helps you relax and sleep with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, music and breathing exercises.
Where they differ
- Good for
- BetterSleep: People who fall asleep more easily with background sounds or stories; People who want to build their own sound mixes for sleep
- Calm: Beginners who want short guided meditations; People who fall asleep better with stories, soundscapes or music
- Cost
- BetterSleep: $9.99/month or $59.99/year
- Calm: Free version, or $79.99/year or $16.99/month
- How you pay
- BetterSleep: I'll pay myself
- Calm: Free, I'll pay myself
- Where
- BetterSleep: iPhone, Android
- Calm: iPhone, Android, Web
- Research
- BetterSleep: Not stated
- Calm: Strong research support
The same for both: kind of help (an app i use on my own), probably not for (anyone in crisis: call or text 988), privacy (grade c), sells your data (yes), hipaa (no).
In crisis or thinking about suicide? In the US, call or text 988. This page is information from our reviews, not medical advice.