Alternatives
Best Calm alternatives in 2026
Calm is meditation, sleep stories and relaxation on iOS, Android and the web. These 9 alternatives come from the same rankings, ordered by editorial score. Connected products carry a small, disclosed lift.

Ranked alternatives
- 1
Headspace
Guided courses, sleep content and a family plan in one subscription. It runs after a 14-day free trial, and the company's online therapy is sold as a separate service.
Best for Structured courses for daily practice
iOS, iPadOSAndroidSubscription
- 2
Medito
Has a free option; is open source. The best free option here: guided meditations, courses and sleep content with no ads, no paywall and no account. Its app code is AGPL-3.0, its content has its own license, and it depends on donations.
Best for Free guided meditation without an account
AndroidiOSFree and open sourceOpen source
- 3
Insight Timer
Has a free option. Insight Timer's free app covers meditation, sleep, yoga and breathwork. Structured courses and offline listening sit behind its Premium subscription, so the free app suits browsing more than following a set program.
Best for Browsing a broad free library of sessions
iOS, iPadOSFree plan, paid upgrades
- 4
Waking Up
The most philosophical choice here, with lessons and conversations on nonduality, free will and stoicism beside guided meditations. The annual plan costs $129.99, and a seven-day trial is offered.
Best for Meditation with philosophy and teaching
iOSAndroidSubscription
- 5
Happier Meditation
Has a free option. Lessons change with monthly goal check-ins, and a free account includes three courses. Full access costs $99.99 a year, and the app runs on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Android but has no web version.
Best for Goal-based meditation on phones and watches
iOS, iPadOSAndroidFree plan, paid upgrades
- 6
Smiling Mind
Has a free option. Free for individuals and families, from an Australian non-profit, with mental fitness programs for children and adults. Funding depends on donations and partners, and school programs are a separate offering.
Best for Free mindfulness programs for families
iOSAndroidWebFree
- 7
Oak
Has a free option. Oak focuses on meditation and breathing, with one 10-day course and a timer for unguided sessions. It is free to download, but the App Store listing does not say which in-app purchases apply, so check before buying.
Best for Meditation and breathing practice with a timer
iOS, iPadOSFree plan, paid upgrades
- 8
Simple Habit
Has a free option. Five-minute guided sessions with a free download and a Premium upgrade, on iPhone, Android and the web. The site describes Premium in little detail, so it ranks below apps that spell out their libraries.
Best for Short daily meditations for busy schedules
iOSAndroidWebFree plan, paid upgrades
- 9
Balance
Balance builds each session from daily check-in answers, unlike the course-led apps here. It is a subscription after a free trial and iPhone only in the App Store listing, so readers wanting no-cost use should check the free apps.
Best for Personalized daily meditation for iPhone subscribers
iOSSubscription
Narrow the alternatives
Compare Calm head to head
Calmversus
Headspace
Calmversus
Medito
Calmversus
Insight Timer
Calmversus
Waking Up
Calmversus
Happier Meditation
Calmversus
Smiling Mind
Or build your own comparison table with Calm and up to three other products.
About Calm alternatives
- What is the best alternative to Calm?
- On listme.name the highest-scored alternative is Headspace, followed by Medito. The right choice depends on price, platform and whether you need open source.
- Is there a free alternative to Calm?
- Yes. Free options include Medito, Insight Timer, Happier Meditation.


