Verdict
Calm has a huge, loyal user base and people describe it as a daily habit, but recent updates have broken basic features like background sounds during meditation, and complaints about the subscription and customer service are frequent.
Best for
Someone who already wants a subscription-based sleep and meditation app and doesn't mind paying an ongoing fee for guided content and soundscapes.
Dealbreaker
Recent updates have broken core functionality like background sounds during meditation sessions, and multiple reviewers report unresponsive customer support when they hit billing or technical problems.
The facts.
Pulled from the App Store, not written by hand. unverified
Price
Free
In-app purchases
Unknown
Ads
Unknown
Platforms
iPhone, iPad
Rating
4.8★ (1,980,808)
Version
7.0.7
Last updated
Sep 4, 2026
Released
Feb 22, 2013
Attributes
Native app
Category
Health & Fitness, Lifestyle
What reviews consistently say.
Themes grouped from 200 App Store reviews. Source feed ›
Praised for
Import and export4 reviews
Subscription pricing and paywalls3 reviews
Complained about
Subscription pricing and paywalls23 reviews
Customer support8 reviews
Bugs after updates5 reviews
Crashes and stability4 reviews
Battery and performance3 reviews
Confusing interface2 reviews
Misses some ads2 reviews
Where this comes from
23 of 200 recent reviews raised: Subscription pricing and paywallsApp Store reviews ›
5 of 200 recent reviews raised: Bugs after updatesApp Store reviews ›
8 of 200 recent reviews raised: Customer supportApp Store reviews ›
4 of 200 recent reviews raised: Crashes and stabilityApp Store reviews ›
3 of 200 recent reviews raised: Battery and performanceApp Store reviews ›
Listed at Free on the App StoreApp Store listing ›
Where we recommend it
The best meditation apps ›Meditation and breathing apps that are well rated and still maintained, each with its catch.
Alternatives with the same rule.
Every app here is rated 4.2 or better, has been updated in the last eighteen months, and has no significant number of reviewers reporting it broken. Price is not the rule on this list — some are free, some are not. Also with a catch.
Free · 4.9★ (446,279) · Updated Sep 4, 2026
Verdict. Insight Timer has a huge library of free meditations and a well-liked timer, but the free tier keeps shrinking as more content moves behind a subscription, and some reviewers report increasingly pushy notifications.
Best for. Someone who wants a large, varied library of guided meditations from many different teachers and is willing to sort through paywalled content to find the free ones worth using.
Dealbreaker. Features and tracks that used to be free have been progressively moved behind a paid subscription, and multiple reviewers describe unwanted notifications and challenge alerts that are hard to turn off.
Free · 4.9★ (121,826) · Updated Sep 2, 2026
Verdict. Abide is a Christian prayer and meditation app that many reviewers say genuinely helps them slow down, but its subscription billing draws frequent complaints about surprise renewal charges and aggressive upsell emails.
Best for. Someone who wants faith-based meditation content specifically, and is comfortable tracking a subscription renewal date closely to avoid being charged automatically.
Dealbreaker. Multiple reviewers report being caught off guard by subscription charges and renewal notices, and some call the premium paywall pointless without paying, so free use is limited.
Free · 4.9★ (120,420) · Updated Aug 31, 2026
Verdict. Balance offers personalized, well-designed meditation programs with reminders and specialty timers, but most of the app sits behind a subscription paywall despite the free download, and a handful of users report confusing trial/renewal terms.
Best for. Someone who wants a structured, personalized meditation program with daily reminders and is fine paying an ongoing subscription to unlock most content.
Dealbreaker. It's free to download but nearly every real feature requires a paid subscription, and some reviewers say they were charged without a clear trial notice or found support unhelpful when disputing it.