Apps and online care
Rosebud vs Calm
They differ on 6 of 10 things we check. No winner here: the better one is the one that fits what you need and how you'd pay.
Rosebud
You write or talk about your day, and Rosebud replies with questions and suggestions, then summarizes patterns in your mood and goals each week.
Calm
Calm helps you relax and sleep with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, music and breathing exercises.
Where they differ
- Good for
- Rosebud: People who want prompts and follow-up questions while journaling; Spotting patterns in mood, stress and goals over weeks
- Calm: Beginners who want short guided meditations; People who fall asleep better with stories, soundscapes or music
- Cost
- Rosebud: $12.99/month or $107.99/year (Bloom)
- Calm: Free version, or $79.99/year or $16.99/month
- How you pay
- Rosebud: I'll pay myself
- Calm: Free, I'll pay myself
- Research
- Rosebud: Not stated
- Calm: Strong research support
- Sells your data
- Rosebud: Not stated
- Calm: Yes
- HIPAA
- Rosebud: Not stated
- Calm: No
The same for both: kind of help (an app i use on my own), probably not for (anyone in crisis: call or text 988), where (iphone, android, web), 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.