Apps and online care
Wysa vs Calm
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.
Wysa
You download Wysa on your phone and chat with an AI 'penguin' that suggests short CBT, DBT and mindfulness exercises when you feel stressed, anxious or low.
Calm
Calm helps you relax and sleep with guided meditations, Sleep Stories, music and breathing exercises.
Where they differ
- Kind of help
- Wysa: Peer support or coaching, An app I use on my own
- Calm: An app I use on my own
- Good for
- Wysa: People with everyday stress, worry or low mood who want a free self-help chat at any hour; People who want to practise CBT and DBT skills between therapy sessions
- Calm: Beginners who want short guided meditations; People who fall asleep better with stories, soundscapes or music
- Cost
- Wysa: Free version, or Free; Premium about $74.99/year
- Calm: Free version, or $79.99/year or $16.99/month
- Research
- Wysa: Some research support
- Calm: Strong research support
- Privacy
- Wysa: Grade B+
- Calm: Grade C
- Sells your data
- Wysa: No
- Calm: Yes
- HIPAA
- Wysa: Not stated
- Calm: No
The same for both: probably not for (anyone in crisis: call or text 988), how you pay (free, i'll pay myself), where (iphone, android, web).
In crisis or thinking about suicide? In the US, call or text 988. This page is information from our reviews, not medical advice.