Calm alternatives: 8 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank All meditation and mindfulness apps

Top picks

Best overall
Headspace
Family plan: $99.99 a year for up to 6 people
Best free option
Insight Timer
Starting price: $9.99 a month (MemberPlus)

Common reasons people leave Calm: most content needs a paid subscription, and prices differ between web, App Store and Google Play. We ranked 8 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Calm, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Headspace currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Verified price	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	Headspace	Free plan + paid	$99.99 a year for up to 6 people	No	iOS, Android, Web	6 of 6	68.8
2	Insight Timer	Free plan + paid	$9.99 a month (MemberPlus)	No	iOS, Android, Web	8 of 8	64.8
3	BetterSleep	Free plan + paid	$59.99 a year per Premium membership (regular price)	No	iOS, Android	7 of 7	42.3
4	Abide	Free plan + paid	$39.99/year	No	iOS, Android	4 of 4	42.3
5	Happier Meditation	Free plan + paid	$99.99/year	No	iOS, Android	4 of 4	42.3
6	Waking Up	Paid	—	No	iOS, Android	5 of 5	42.3
7	Brain.fm	Paid	$14.99 per month	No	Web, iOS, Android +2	5 of 5	42.3
8	Plum Village App	Free	—	No	iOS, Android	4 of 4	42.3

1. HeadspaceTop pick
Best for: Beginners who want structured courses and a tidy app, and students on the cheap plan
Free plan + paidiOS, Android, Web
68.8
score / 100
Why switch from Calm
The other big subscription app, with more structured beginner courses and a cheap student plan.
Pros
Structured beginner courses starting from Basics
Sleep, focus music and movement sessions in one app
Family plan for six and a low-cost student plan
14-day free trial on the yearly plan
Cons
Little free content without a subscription
App increasingly promotes coaching and therapy services
Courses can feel basic for experienced meditators
Visit Headspace Compare with Calm Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.3100
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Headspace a good Calm alternative?
Verified facts
6 of 6 verified
Free trial
14 days
Checked Nov 8, 2026headspace.com(opens source in a new tab)
Family plan
$99.99 a year for up to 6 people
Checked Nov 8, 2026headspace.com(opens source in a new tab)
Student plan
$9.99/yr for verified students
Checked Nov 8, 2026headspace.com(opens source in a new tab)
Minimum age
18+, with limited exceptions
Checked Nov 8, 2026headspace.com(opens source in a new tab)
Owner
Part of Sword
Checked Nov 8, 2026headspace.com(opens source in a new tab)
Student discount
$9.99 a year for verified students
Checked Nov 8, 2026headspace.com(opens source in a new tab)
2. Insight Timer
Best for: People who want a large free library and a flexible timer without paying for a subscription
Free plan + paidiOS, Android, Web
64.8
score / 100
Why switch from Calm
A mostly free library of more than 200,000 tracks, including sleep content, if you don't want a subscription.
Pros
Most of a 200,000+ track library is free
Thousands of teachers across many styles and traditions
Customisable timer for unguided sessions
Live events and community groups
Cons
Quality varies widely between teachers
Size makes it hard to find a clear starting path
Courses and offline listening need Member Plus
Visit Insight Timer Compare with Calm Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.387
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Insight Timer a good Calm alternative?
Verified facts
8 of 8 verified
Free content
200,000+ tracks, mostly free
Checked Nov 8, 2026insighttimer.com(opens source in a new tab)
Paid tier
Member Plus, $59.99/yr
Checked Nov 8, 2026insighttimer.com(opens source in a new tab)
Teachers
18,000+
Checked Nov 8, 2026insighttimer.com(opens source in a new tab)
Paid features
Courses, advanced journaling, offline listening
Checked Nov 8, 2026insighttimer.com(opens source in a new tab)
Company
Insight Network Inc.
Checked Nov 8, 2026insighttimer.com(opens source in a new tab)
Starting price
$9.99 a month (MemberPlus)
Checked Nov 8, 2026help.insighttimer.com(opens source in a new tab)
MemberPlus annual plan
$59.99 a year
Checked Nov 8, 2026help.insighttimer.com(opens source in a new tab)
Free plan
Yes
Checked Nov 8, 2026help.insighttimer.com(opens source in a new tab)
3. BetterSleep
Best for: People who fall asleep to background noise and want to build their own sound mixes
Free plan + paidiOS, Android
42.3
score / 100
Why switch from Calm
Lets you build your own mix of sleep sounds rather than picking fixed tracks.
Pros
Flexible mixer for noise colours, nature and ambient sounds
Large library of sleep stories, meditations and music
Family and student plans available
Cons
Most content needs a Premium subscription after the trial
Subscription renews automatically unless cancelled in time
No desktop app
Visit BetterSleep Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is BetterSleep a good Calm alternative?
Verified facts
7 of 7 verified
Free version
Limited free content after the trial
Checked Nov 8, 2026bettersleep.com(opens source in a new tab)
Paid plan
Premium, auto-renewing subscription
Checked Nov 8, 2026bettersleep.com(opens source in a new tab)
Users
65M+
Checked Nov 8, 2026bettersleep.com(opens source in a new tab)
App Store rating
4.8 from 600k+ reviews
Checked Nov 8, 2026bettersleep.com(opens source in a new tab)
Starting price
$59.99 a year per Premium membership (regular price)
Checked Nov 8, 2026support.bettersleep.com(opens source in a new tab)
Family plan
$119.99 a year for 5 Premium memberships
Checked Nov 8, 2026support.bettersleep.com(opens source in a new tab)
Free trial
Yes, for new users
Checked Nov 8, 2026bettersleep.com(opens source in a new tab)
4. Abide
Best for: Christians who want Scripture-based meditation and bedtime stories instead of secular mindfulness
Free plan + paidiOS, Android
42.3
score / 100
Why switch from Calm
Sleep stories and meditations rooted in Bible verses for Christians.
Pros
Biblical sleep stories for winding down at night
Free full audio Bible and reading plans
Content grouped by needs like anxiety, grief and stress
Cons
Most meditations and sleep stories need Premium
No study tools beyond reading plans
Mobile only
Visit Abide Compare with Calm Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Abide a good Calm alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Free trial
7 days
Checked Nov 8, 2026abide.co(opens source in a new tab)
Yearly price
$39.99/year
Checked Nov 8, 2026abide.co(opens source in a new tab)
Owner
Guideposts
Checked Nov 8, 2026abide.co(opens source in a new tab)
Free content
Audio Bible and reading plans
Checked Nov 8, 2026abide.co(opens source in a new tab)
5. Happier Meditation
Best for: Beginners and sceptics who want meditation explained by teachers, not just guided audio.
Free plan + paidiOS, Android
42.3
score / 100
Why switch from Calm
More teaching and practical courses from well-known teachers, with three courses free.
Pros
Courses explain the reasoning behind each practice
Wide range of established meditation teachers
Three courses free without subscribing
Practical topics such as anxiety, focus and parenting
Cons
Full library needs a yearly subscription
Fewer sleep stories and soundscapes than Calm
Mobile only, with no desktop app
Visit Happier Meditation Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Happier Meditation a good Calm alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Subscription
$99.99/year
Checked Nov 8, 2026tenpercent.com(opens source in a new tab)
Free plan
Three courses
Checked Nov 8, 2026tenpercent.com(opens source in a new tab)
Founded
2014
Checked Nov 8, 2026tenpercent.com(opens source in a new tab)
Origin
Dan Harris's book 10% Happier
Checked Nov 8, 2026tenpercent.com(opens source in a new tab)
6. Waking Up
Best for: Analytical, secular-minded people who want to understand meditation, not just relax
PaidiOS, Android
42.3
score / 100
Why switch from Calm
A secular, insight-focused practice with lessons explaining the why behind meditation.
Pros
Deep library of lessons and conversations, not just guided tracks
Secular approach with no belief system required
Free scholarship membership if cost is a barrier
Cons
Annual subscription only, with no limited free tier
Less sleep and relaxation content than Calm
Philosophical focus may feel heavy for beginners after quick stress relief
Visit Waking Up Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Waking Up a good Calm alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Free trial
7 days
Checked Nov 6, 2026wakingup.com(opens source in a new tab)
Pricing
Annual subscription
Checked Nov 6, 2026wakingup.com(opens source in a new tab)
Scholarship
Free membership if you can't afford it
Checked Nov 6, 2026wakingup.com(opens source in a new tab)
Founded
2018
Checked Nov 6, 2026wakingup.com(opens source in a new tab)
Library
600+ hours of audio
Checked Nov 6, 2026wakingup.com(opens source in a new tab)
7. Brain.fm
Best for: Knowledge workers and people with ADHD who want unobtrusive music for focus sessions and sleep
PaidWeb, iOS, Android, macOS, Windows
42.3
score / 100
Why switch from Calm
Focus-first music app with activity modes, for people who use Calm mostly for background audio.
Pros
Separate modes for focus, relaxation, meditation and sleep
Desktop menu-bar app with a built-in session timer
Available on web, iOS, Android, Mac and Windows
Cons
No free plan once the trial ends
Few guided meditations compared with Calm or Headspace
Can't mix your own ambient sounds like Noisli
Visit Brain.fm Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Brain.fm a good Calm alternative?
Verified facts
5 of 5 verified
Monthly price
$14.99 per month
Checked Nov 8, 2026brain.fm(opens source in a new tab)
Yearly price
$99.99 per year
Checked Nov 8, 2026brain.fm(opens source in a new tab)
Platforms
Web, iOS, Android, desktop
Checked Nov 8, 2026brain.fm(opens source in a new tab)
Desktop apps
macOS 12+ and Windows 10+
Checked Nov 8, 2026brain.fm(opens source in a new tab)
Research funding
NSF grant
Checked Nov 8, 2026brain.fm(opens source in a new tab)
8. Plum Village App
Best for: People who want free guided meditation rooted in Thich Nhat Hanh's teaching.
FreeiOS, Android
42.3
score / 100
Why switch from Calm
Entirely free, with guided practices from Thich Nhat Hanh's monastic community instead of a subscription.
Pros
All content free, with no subscription
Practices from one coherent Zen tradition
Deep relaxations and practices for difficult feelings
Cons
Much smaller library than Insight Timer
Teachings come from a single Buddhist tradition
No web or desktop version
Visit Plum Village App Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.312
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is Plum Village App a good Calm alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
Price
Free
Checked Nov 8, 2026plumvillage.app(opens source in a new tab)
Teachers
Thich Nhat Hanh and monastic community
Checked Nov 8, 2026plumvillage.app(opens source in a new tab)
Library
Hundreds of practices
Checked Nov 8, 2026plumvillage.app(opens source in a new tab)
Funding
Donations
Checked Nov 8, 2026plumvillage.app(opens source in a new tab)

The best Calm alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best Calm alternative for most people

Headspace

The other big subscription app, with more structured beginner courses and a cheap student plan.

Best Calm alternative for a free option

Plum Village App

Entirely free, with guided practices from Thich Nhat Hanh's monastic community instead of a subscription.

Best Calm alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Insight Timer

A mostly free library of more than 200,000 tracks, including sleep content, if you don't want a subscription.

Best Calm alternative for Mac

Brain.fm

Focus-first music app with activity modes, for people who use Calm mostly for background audio.

Best Calm alternative for Windows

Brain.fm

Focus-first music app with activity modes, for people who use Calm mostly for background audio.

Best Calm alternative for iPhone and Android

BetterSleep

Lets you build your own mix of sleep sounds rather than picking fixed tracks.

Best Calm alternative for working in the browser

Headspace

The other big subscription app, with more structured beginner courses and a cheap student plan.

Calm alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Calm?

Headspace ranks first right now. The other big subscription app, with more structured beginner courses and a cheap student plan. Insight Timer and BetterSleep follow it in our ranking.

Calm vs Headspace: what's the difference?

Both Calm and Headspace are free with paid plans. Verified prices: Calm $79.99/yr after a 7-day free trial, Headspace $99.99 a year for up to 6 people. Both run on iOS, Android and Web.

Is Calm free?

Calm is free with paid plans. Yearly price (web): $79.99/yr after a 7-day free trial. Checked on Calm's own site, November 2026.

How much do Calm alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked Calm alternatives: Headspace, $99.99 a year for up to 6 people; Insight Timer, $9.99 a month (MemberPlus); BetterSleep, $59.99 a year per Premium membership (regular price); Abide, $39.99/year; Happier Meditation, $99.99/year. Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to Calm?

Yes. Headspace (free plan + paid), Insight Timer (free plan + paid), BetterSleep (free plan + paid) and Abide (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Calm?

None of the 8 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Calm?

The complaints we hear most: most content needs a paid subscription; prices differ between web, App Store and Google Play; sleep-heavy library is more than some meditators need.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Calm, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.

Top picks

Quick comparison

1. HeadspaceTop pick

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

2. Insight Timer

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

3. BetterSleep

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

4. Abide

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

5. Happier Meditation

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

6. Waking Up

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

7. Brain.fm

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

8. Plum Village App

Pros

Cons

Verified facts

The best Calm alternative for…

Best Calm alternative for most people

Best Calm alternative for a free option

Best Calm alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Best Calm alternative for Mac

Best Calm alternative for Windows

Best Calm alternative for iPhone and Android

Best Calm alternative for working in the browser

Calm alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Calm?

Calm vs Headspace: what's the difference?

Is Calm free?

How much do Calm alternatives cost?

Is there a free alternative to Calm?

Is there an open-source alternative to Calm?

Why do people switch from Calm?

How is this list ranked?