Apps and online care
Mindfulness Coach 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.
Mindfulness Coach
Mindfulness Coach walks you through learning mindfulness, from short readings to guided audio exercises, and helps you set goals and practise regularly.
Calm
Calm helps you relax and sleep with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, music and breathing exercises.
Where they differ
- Good for
- Mindfulness Coach: Beginners who want a structured, free mindfulness course without ads or subscriptions; Veterans and others with PTSD or stress who want a gentle practice to add to treatment
- Calm: Beginners who want short guided meditations; People who fall asleep better with stories, soundscapes or music
- Probably not for
- Mindfulness Coach: Anyone in crisis: call or text 988 (veterans press 1)
- Calm: Anyone in crisis: call or text 988
- Cost
- Mindfulness Coach: Free
- Calm: Free version, or $79.99/year or $16.99/month
- How you pay
- Mindfulness Coach: Free
- Calm: Free, I'll pay myself
- Where
- Mindfulness Coach: iPhone, Android
- Calm: iPhone, Android, Web
- Research
- Mindfulness Coach: Some research support
- Calm: Strong research support
- Privacy
- Mindfulness Coach: Grade A+
- Calm: Grade C
- Sells your data
- Mindfulness Coach: No
- Calm: Yes
The same for both: kind of help (an app i use on my own), 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.