What Are the Top Alternatives to Calm App in 2026?

Many reach a point where they start wondering, “What are alternatives to the Calm app?” because they want something different, whether that “different” is more flexibility, a more affordable price, or simply free alternatives to Calm that don’t lock peace behind a paywall.

Let’s explore alternatives to the Calm app and find out together what actually fits your needs.

Key Learnings 

• Alternatives to the Calm app focus on anxiety relief, sleep improvement, or daily meditation.
• Tools that help users build self-awareness and healthier habits support longer-term emotional balance.

12 Alternatives to Calm App by Category

We’ve selected the apps based on user reviews, clinical foundations, feature depth, accessibility, and relevance to anxiety, sleep, and mindfulness use cases.

Disclaimer: Features and pricing are subject to change. Please check each app’s official website or app store listing for the most up-to-date information.

If you struggle to fall asleep, reduce anxiety, or maintain a meditation routine, these 12 Calm app alternatives offer practical tools, structured practices, and free or low-cost options to support your mental well-being and daily mindfulness practice.

1. Self-Discovery and Personal Growth Apps

Liven 

Liven helps you step back and see the bigger picture of how your thoughts and habits work. You log your moods, reflect through journaling, and follow short, practical lessons that help you break old patterns and build healthier habits. Livie, the Smart Assistant, is there whenever you need a little guidance or perspective.

Pros

• Mood tracker that highlights emotional patterns
• Guided journaling for clarity and self-reflection
• Routine builder for self-care, which you can use as a part of your personalized dopamine management plan
• Livie, a smart companion
• Anxiety management course
• Personalized content tailored based on your mood
• Ambient sound library for relaxing

Cons

No sleep stories.

Pricing & Plans

Liven offers a free trial, with weekly subscriptions starting at $7.99. Users can also choose monthly or annual plans.

2. Alternatives to Calm App for Anxiety

Worry Watch

If your brain loves replaying worst-case scenarios, Worry Watch helps you track worries so you can revisit them later and see that most worries don’t come true.

There’s research behind this. In a month-long study, people with generalized anxiety disorder logged their worries and later checked what actually happened. Researchers found that about 91% of worries never came true.

Pros

• Worry tracking and reflection
• Simple, journal-style interface

cons

• Not a traditional meditation app
• No audio or calming sounds
• Not designed for sleep support

Pricing & Plans

Free trial unavailable; monthly subscription $2.99, annual $11.99.

Mindshift CBT

MindShift CBT uses evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to help users manage anxiety, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and cope with stress. Perfect for users who prefer a structured approach.

pros

• CBT-based anxiety tools
• Thought-challenging exercises
• Coping cards for stressful moments

cons

• No guided meditations
• Limited sleep support
• Design feels clinical to some

Pricing & Plans

Fully free. Official support ends March 31, 2026.

3. Alternatives to Calm App for Relaxation

BetterSleep

If falling asleep feels like a nightly battle, BetterSleep helps you build a bedtime routine with soothing music, nature sounds, sleep music, and personalized sound mixes. You can experiment with calming sounds and relaxation music until you find what helps you sleep better and improve your sleep quality.

pros

• Custom sound mixes
• Soothing music and relaxation audio
• Bedtime routines for sleep improvement

cons

• Less mindfulness education
• Some features are locked behind a paywall
• Limited daytime content

Pricing & Plans

Free trial available; monthly $9.99, annual $59.99, lifetime one-time payment $249.99.

Pzizz

For nights when your mind refuses to slow down, Pzizz layers voice, music tracks, and ambient sounds into dynamic audio sessions that help you fall asleep faster. All you have to do is press play and let the app guide you toward restful sleep, which many users prefer when breathing exercises alone don’t quiet racing thoughts.

pros

• Sleep and nap programs
• Dynamic nightly audio
• Focus mode

cons

• Not designed for meditation practice
• No journaling or reflection tools
• Audio style isn’t for everyone

Pricing & Plans

Free trial available; monthly: $9.99; annual: $69.99.

Loóna

Loóna works best for people who relax through gentle engagement instead of silent meditation. You color scenes, listen to calming sounds, and follow visual sleep stories that help your brain naturally slow down.

pros

• Interactive bedtime stories
• Relaxing sound design
• Unique visual experience

cons

• Limited daytime tools
• Not a traditional mindfulness app

Pricing & Plans

Free trial available; monthly $12.99–$17.99, annual $39.99.

4. Alternatives to Calm App for Meditation & Mindfulness 

Insight Timer 

With a massive free library of guided meditations, live group classes, bell sounds, and yoga classes, you can practice meditation at your own pace and experiment with different meditation styles without committing to a single approach.

pros

• Thousands of free meditations
• Meditation timer with bell sounds
• Live group classes

cons

• Content quality varies
• Premium upsells

Pricing & Plans

Free plan available; Member Plus $60/year unlocks 1,000+ courses.

Aura 

Aura acts like a mindfulness app that uses self-reported mood data and suggests short practices tailored to your mood. If long meditation practice sessions don’t fit your schedule, the app offers daily meditation, micro-meditation, breathing techniques, and short reflections.

pros

• Mood-based recommendations
• Short meditations and reflections
• Clean, calming design

cons

• Smaller free library
• Limited depth

Pricing & Plans

Free trial available; monthly: $11.99; annual: $69.99.

Buddhify

Buddhify focuses on real-world moments, such as walking or dealing with tough emotions, rather than only seated meditation. The app encourages practicing mindfulness throughout the day with short sessions, calming breathing techniques, and simple mindfulness practices.

pros

• Activity-based meditations
• Offline access
• Simple, intuitive design

cons

• Smaller content library

Pricing & Plans

Buddhify is a one-time purchase (around $4.99 depending on platform), with an optional $60 annual membership for extra content.

5. Free Alternatives to Calm App

Plum Village

Plum Village is inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. It's simple and a “do-it-at-your-own-pace” philosophy helps users focus on presence without rushing.

You’ll find free meditations, gentle breathing exercises, and simple mindfulness tools that help you build a meditation habit without pressure and in-app purchases.

pros

• Free guided meditations
• Simple breathing practices
• Calm, minimalist design

cons

• Limited customization
• Minimal sleep tools

Pricing & Plans

100% free; run by a non-profit monastery.

Medito

Medito is completely free and built for people who want structured meditation courses without a paywall. You can start with meditation basics, move into daily meditation sessions, and explore mindfulness practices that support emotional balance and healthier habits.

pros

• Structured meditation courses
• Daily practices

cons

• Limited sleep content
• No personalization

Pricing & Plans

100% free; volunteer-led and ad-free.

Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind is a family-friendly app designed for kids, teens, and adults who want age-based programs that help build a simple mindfulness habit. Instead of complex meditation styles, you get guided meditations, movement exercises, and short lessons that support mental health, stress management, and well-being in everyday life.

pros

• Family-friendly app
• Programs for different age groups

cons

• Less advanced content
• Minimal soundscapes

Pricing & Plans

100% free; government-funded non-profit.

Final Thoughts: Calm Feels Different for Everyone

Whether you’re trying to fall asleep or reduce stress, the right app is the one that fits your life, your pace, and your current stress levels. And, as you’ve seen, there are multiple alternatives to the Calm app to choose from if you’re no longer a fan of the app.

If that kind of self-guided growth speaks to you, you can continue your journey with Liven: try the Liven app (Google Play or App Store), get more insights on our blog, or use Liven’s free wellness tests to check in with yourself.

References

1. Cuijpers et al. (2025). CBT for mental disorders in adults. JAMA Psychiatry, 82(6), 563–571. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2025.0482
2. Hooi et al. (2025). Effects of mindfulness breathing meditations. Sci Rep, 15, 37185. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-23727-z
3. Hu et al. (2023). Effect of sleep ambient music on sleep quality and mental health in college students. Front Psychol, 14, 1171939. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1171939
4. LaFreniere & Newman (2020). Percentage of untrue worries in GAD treatment. Behav Ther, 51(3), 413–423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2019.07.003