Apps and online care
DARE 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.
DARE
DARE gives you guided audio to talk you through panic attacks and anxious moments, based on Barry McDonagh's book.
Calm
Calm helps you relax and sleep with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, music and breathing exercises.
Where they differ
- Good for
- DARE: People with panic attacks who want an audio guide to use in the moment; People who liked the DARE book and want its approach in an app
- Calm: Beginners who want short guided meditations; People who fall asleep better with stories, soundscapes or music
- Cost
- DARE: Free version, or Free; Premium subscription (price shown in the app)
- Calm: Free version, or $79.99/year or $16.99/month
- Where
- DARE: iPhone, Android
- Calm: iPhone, Android, Web
- Research
- DARE: Not stated
- Calm: Strong research support
- Sells your data
- DARE: Not stated
- Calm: Yes
The same for both: kind of help (an app i use on my own), probably not for (anyone in crisis: call or text 988), how you pay (free, i'll pay myself), privacy (grade c), 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.