Apps and online care
DARE vs Headspace
They differ on 7 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.
Headspace
You pick short guided meditations, courses on stress, anxiety or sleep, sleepcasts and focus music, and do a few minutes a day on your phone.
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
- Headspace: Beginners who want structured, short guided meditations; People dealing with everyday stress or trouble winding down for sleep
- Probably not for
- DARE: Anyone in crisis: call or text 988
- Headspace: Anyone in crisis or thinking about suicide: call or text 988
- Cost
- DARE: Free version, or Free; Premium subscription (price shown in the app)
- Headspace: $69.99/year or $12.99/month
- How you pay
- DARE: Free, I'll pay myself
- Headspace: I'll pay myself
- Where
- DARE: iPhone, Android
- Headspace: iPhone, Android, Web
- Research
- DARE: Not stated
- Headspace: Strong research support
- Sells your data
- DARE: Not stated
- Headspace: Yes
The same for both: kind of help (an app i use on my own), 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.