Calm vs Headspace
An honest side-by-side comparison of two of our top mental health apps picks — pricing, strengths, weaknesses, and who each one is really for.
Calm
Ranked #3 of 15 in this directory
The number one app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
Headspace
Ranked #4 of 15 in this directory
Mindfulness and meditation backed by clinical research
Our pick: Calm. Our editors rank Calm higher overall in Mental Health Apps — but Headspace can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case below. How we review
Compare the details
| Calm | Headspace | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting price | See website | See website |
| Category | Meditation Mindfulness | Meditation Mindfulness |
| Editorial rank | #3 of 15 | #4 of 15 |
Strengths
Calm
- ✓Highest-rated meditation app with extensive content library
- ✓Sleep stories narrated by well-known voices aid falling asleep
- ✓Daily Calm feature builds a consistent 10-minute meditation habit
- ✓Programs for specific needs: anxiety, focus, self-esteem, and relationships
- ✓Calm for Business makes it available as an employee wellness benefit
Headspace
- ✓Clinically researched programs with published scientific studies
- ✓Structured courses progressively build meditation skills
- ✓Animated videos explain mindfulness concepts in an approachable way
- ✓Focus music and movement exercises expand beyond traditional meditation
Watch out for
Calm
- !Premium subscription required for most content beyond basic meditations
- !Annual pricing of $69.99 is higher than some competitors
- !Content depth for advanced practitioners is limited
- !Offline download capability requires premium subscription
Headspace
- !Premium subscription required for course progression beyond basics
- !Content library is smaller than Calm's offering
- !Guided approach may feel too structured for experienced meditators
- !Annual subscription at $69.99 matches premium competitors
Best use cases
Calm
- →Listen to a Sleep Story after a stressful day to wind down and fall asleep faster
- →Complete the 7 Days of Calm beginner program to establish a daily meditation habit
- →Use the 5-minute anxiety SOS meditation during a panic attack at work
Headspace
- →Complete the Basics course to learn meditation fundamentals over 10 sessions
- →Use the Focus music playlist during deep work sessions to maintain concentration
- →Play the Sleepcast ambient audio to create a calming bedroom environment
About each tool
Calm
Calm is the leading meditation and sleep app, offering guided meditations, sleep stories narrated by celebrities, breathing exercises, and calming music. The app covers stress reduction, focus improvement, anxiety management, and sleep quality with programs ranging from beginner to advanced. Calm's Daily Calm feature provides a new 10-minute meditation each day, building a consistent mindfulness habit.
Headspace
Headspace is a science-backed meditation app with structured courses, guided exercises, and sleep content designed by mindfulness experts. The app's approach is rooted in clinical research, with multiple published studies demonstrating the effectiveness of its programs. Headspace offers themed courses for stress, sleep, focus, and movement, along with SOS sessions for moments of acute anxiety or anger. The animated explanations of meditation concepts make mindfulness accessible to complete beginners.
Still deciding? Browse all 15 options with honest pros, cons, and pricing.
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