Apps and online care
InStride Health vs Calm
They differ on 8 of 10 things we check. No winner here: the better one is the one that fits what you need and how you'd pay.
InStride Health
You apply online or call, and if your child fits, a three-person team (therapist, exposure coach and psychiatric clinician) runs video sessions over about 4 to 8 months, with more practice between sessions than standard weekly therapy.
Calm
Calm helps you relax and sleep with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, music and breathing exercises.
Where they differ
- Kind of help
- InStride Health: A therapist
- Calm: An app I use on my own
- Good for
- InStride Health: Children and teens with moderate to severe anxiety or OCD who need more than weekly therapy; Families who want exposure-based CBT plus medication management from one team
- Calm: Beginners who want short guided meditations; People who fall asleep better with stories, soundscapes or music
- Cost
- InStride Health: Copay with insurance; self-pay price given by phone
- Calm: Free version, or $79.99/year or $16.99/month
- How you pay
- InStride Health: Insurance
- Calm: Free, I'll pay myself
- Where
- InStride Health: Web
- Calm: iPhone, Android, Web
- Research
- InStride Health: Limited research
- Calm: Strong research support
- Sells your data
- InStride Health: No
- Calm: Yes
- HIPAA
- InStride Health: Yes
- Calm: No
The same for both: probably not for (anyone in crisis: call or text 988), privacy (grade c).
In crisis or thinking about suicide? In the US, call or text 988. This page is information from our reviews, not medical advice.