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Apps and online care

Calm vs BetterSleep

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.

Calm

Calm helps you relax and sleep with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, music and breathing exercises.

BetterSleep

BetterSleep helps you wind down with sleep sounds you can mix, meditations and bedtime stories, and it can track your sleep.

Where they differ

Good for
Calm: Beginners who want short guided meditations; People who fall asleep better with stories, soundscapes or music
BetterSleep: People who fall asleep more easily with background sounds or stories; People who want to build their own sound mixes for sleep
Cost
Calm: Free version, or $79.99/year or $16.99/month
BetterSleep: $9.99/month or $59.99/year
How you pay
Calm: Free, I'll pay myself
BetterSleep: I'll pay myself
Where
Calm: iPhone, Android, Web
BetterSleep: iPhone, Android
Research
Calm: Strong research support
BetterSleep: Not stated

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.