17 Best Calm App Alternatives for Sleep, Meditation & Stress Relief

When it comes to meditation, sleep, and mental well-being, Calm is one of the most popular apps. It has more than 100 million downloads and was once named Apple’s App of the Year.

But Calm is not the only option out there.

Many new apps now offer unique features, lower prices, or more personalized support. Depending on your lifestyle and goals, you may find another app that fits your routine even better.

Whether you want guided meditations, calming soundscapes, or science-backed tools for stress relief, here are Calm alternatives worth exploring.

1. Mana – Best Overall Mental Wellness App

Best for: Users who want an all-in-one meditation and sleep app with fresh content every day

Mana is a modern meditation and sleep app built to help you quiet the mind, release stress, and sleep deeply.

What makes Mana unique:

New original sessions every day to keep your practice fresh
Soothing practices to calm racing thoughts
Sound therapy and bilateral audio inspired by neuroscience
Ground yourself quickly with breathing exercises, CBT, and tapping techniques
Programs for stress, anxiety, and better sleep
A clean, distraction-free interface that encourages daily use
Exclusive music for sleep and relaxation
New original sessions every day to keep your practice fresh

Mana is especially powerful for anyone who struggles with restless nights or an overactive mind. By combining calming practices with innovative audio technology, it helps you fall asleep faster and wake up feeling more balanced.

If you’re looking for a fresh, effective alternative to Calm, Mana is built to support your well-being every single day.

Website: mana.pro

2. Headspace – Established giant

Best for: Beginners, families, and those who want a science-backed entry into meditation

Headspace is one of Calm’s biggest competitors and has become a household name in mindfulness. Its bright visuals and animated guides make meditation simple, even for beginners.

What makes Headspace stand out:

Guided sessions for stress, focus, sleep, and mindful workouts
SOS meditations for when you’re feeling overwhelmed
Programs for kids and families
Sleepcasts, music, and breathing exercises

Headspace is designed to be approachable while staying rooted in science. Whether you’re brand-new or looking to deepen your practice, it’s one of the most trusted options available.

Website: headspace.com

3. Insight Timer – Biggest free library

Best for: People who want variety, free access, and a global mindfulness community

Insight Timer is a community-powered app with one of the largest meditation libraries in the world. With over 100,000 free tracks, it’s hard to run out of new content.

Key highlights include:

Free guided meditations on stress, anxiety, and sleep
Talks from mindfulness experts, psychologists, and spiritual teachers
Ambient music and soundscapes for focus and relaxation
Community features like live events and discussion groups

If you value variety and connection, Insight Timer gives you endless options without the price tag.

Website: insighttimer.com

4. Ten Percent Happier – For skeptics

Best for: Skeptics, professionals, and anyone who prefers a down-to-earth approach

Ten Percent Happier was created by journalist Dan Harris after his own experience with anxiety. It’s tailored for people who want practical meditation without spiritual jargon.

What makes it unique:

Down-to-earth courses taught by expert teachers
Meditations for stress, resilience, and productivity
Bite-sized practices that fit into a busy lifestyle
A companion podcast with deeper insights

If you’re skeptical about meditation but curious to try, Ten Percent Happier offers a no-nonsense way to get started.

Website: tenpercent.com

5. Simple Habit – Quick sessions on the go

Best for: Busy professionals, students, and those who want quick meditations

Life gets busy, and that’s where Simple Habit shines. This app is built for short, effective meditations that you can fit into your daily schedule.

Top features:

5–20 minute sessions covering stress, motivation, and sleep
Offline listening so you can meditate anywhere
A habit-building system that encourages consistency
Practical themes like “Before a Meeting” or “On the Go”

Simple Habit is a strong choice if you want results without spending hours on your practice.

Website: simplehabit.com

6. Aura – Mood-based personalization

Best for: Users who want personalized recommendations based on mood and emotions

Aura takes a personalized approach to mindfulness. Instead of giving you the same sessions every day, it asks about your mood and tailors the content to how you feel.

What you’ll get with Aura:

Mood check-ins that adjust your meditation recommendations
Daily reminders to keep you consistent
Guided meditations, music, and sleep stories
Coaching content and community support

If you want a meditation app that adapts to your emotional state, Aura makes every session feel personal.

Website: aurahealth.io

7. Balance – Adaptive meditation coach

Best for: Beginners who want a guided, evolving meditation plan

Balance is like having a meditation coach that grows with you. When you first join, it asks about your goals and experience, then builds a personalized plan.

Why users love Balance:

Meditation journeys that evolve as you improve
Focused sessions on stress, sleep, and productivity
Daily practices that keep you on track
Milestones and celebrations to stay motivated

Balance adapts with time, which makes it a great option for anyone who wants guided support that changes with them.

Website: balanceapp.com

8. Breethe – Wellness hub

Best for: All-in-one wellness support with meditation, sleep, and life coaching

Breethe is a wellness platform, not just a meditation app. Its library covers everything from sleep and stress to motivation and life coaching.

Highlights include:

Guided meditations and sleep tracks
Hypnotherapy sessions and inspirational talks
Lifestyle coaching to support your goals
A large and ever-growing content library

Website: breethe.com

9. Smiling Mind – Family and school-friendly

Best for: Families, kids, schools, and those who want a free, psychology-based app

Smiling Mind is a free app created by psychologists. It’s especially popular in schools and families because it’s designed for all age groups.

What makes Smiling Mind unique:

Structured programs for kids, teens, and adults
Evidence-based approach grounded in psychology
Used worldwide in schools to teach resilience
Free access without a subscription fee

If you’re looking for a family-friendly, science-backed app, Smiling Mind is a great place to start.

Website: smilingmind.com.au

10. Waking Up – Deep philosophical approach

Best for: Deep thinkers, advanced meditators, and those curious about philosophy

Waking Up by Sam Harris is both a meditation app and a philosophy guide. It dives deeper than most, exploring the mind through both practice and theory.

Inside the app you’ll find:

Guided meditation sessions for beginners and advanced users
Lessons on the science and philosophy of mindfulness
Talks that encourage reflection and deeper awareness
A scholarship program for those who can’t afford the subscription

If you want more than relaxation and are curious about how meditation shapes the mind, Waking Up is a thoughtful choice.

Website: wakingup.com

11. Oak – Simple and minimalist

Best for: Beginners who want a simple, free meditation app with no distractions

Oak is beautifully simple. It strips away the clutter and offers just the essentials for meditation and sleep.

Key features:

Free guided meditations and breathing exercises
Sleep stories to help you unwind at night
A clean, distraction-free interface
Streak tracking to keep you motivated

If you want a no-frills, free meditation app that just works, Oak is a top pick.

Website: oakmeditation.com

12. Unplug – Teacher-led video sessions

Best for: Visual learners who prefer teacher-led video meditation sessions

Unplug is like having a video meditation studio on your phone. Instead of just audio, you get to watch world-class teachers guide you through sessions.

Here’s what you’ll find:

Teacher-led video meditations for stress, sleep, and focus
Gratitude practices and challenges to build consistency
A 7-day and 30-day program for habit formation
Content that feels personal and interactive

Unplug is perfect if you enjoy learning directly from people instead of just listening.

Website: unplug.com

13. Buddhify – Everyday mindfulness

Best for: On-the-go mindfulness like commuting, walking, or quick stress relief

Buddhify focuses on mindfulness in everyday life. Instead of asking you to sit still for long sessions, it gives you meditations designed for whatever you’re doing.

Examples include:

Meditations for commuting or walking
Short sessions for stress or difficult emotions
Practices for winding down before bed
One-time purchase instead of subscriptions

If you want a practical, budget-friendly option that fits into your day, Buddhify is a great choice.

Website: buddhify.com

14. Healthy Minds Program – Science-driven training

Best for: Science-focused users who want structured mental training for resilience

Healthy Minds Program was built by neuroscientists and uses a research-based approach. It combines meditation with mental training to improve focus and resilience.

Inside the app:

Lessons on awareness, connection, insight, and purpose
Both short daily practices and longer, in-depth sessions
Progress tracking with reminders to keep you consistent
Free access, supported by donations

This app is perfect if you want an evidence-based tool that helps strengthen both your mind and habits.

Website: hminnovations.org/app

15. Noisli – Custom soundscapes

Best for: People who relax or focus best with soundscapes and custom audio mixes

Noisli isn’t a meditation app in the traditional sense, but it’s a powerful sound tool for relaxation and focus.

What you can do with Noisli:

Mix nature sounds, white noise, and ambient audio
Create custom sound environments for sleep, work, or study
Use productivity features like timers and writing tools
Access it offline for travel or commutes

If calming sounds help you focus or relax, Noisli is an excellent companion to your wellness routine.

Website: noisli.com

16. Meditopia – Multilingual emotional healing

Best for: Emotional healing, multilingual users, and those who want reflective practices

Meditopia is a global meditation app with a strong focus on emotional healing and personal growth. It offers a large library of guided meditations, sleep stories, and breathing practices available in multiple languages, making it a great choice for international users.

Key features include:

1000+ guided meditations covering stress, anxiety, sleep, and focus
Sleep stories and calming music for deep rest
Daily check-ins to track your emotional state
Content available in more than 10 languages

Meditopia is ideal if you want a holistic app that goes beyond relaxation, helping you reflect, grow, and connect with your emotions on a deeper level.

Website: meditopia.com

Bonus: YouTube & Spotify – The best free alternatives

Best for: No Budget users

If you’re not ready to pay for a subscription, platforms like YouTube and Spotify offer an incredible range of free meditation and sleep content. From guided meditations and affirmations to calming music and nature soundscapes, you can find almost any style that fits your mood.

Why people love free platforms:

Endless variety of meditation teachers and styles
Calming sleep music, binaural beats, and soundscapes
New content uploaded daily from creators around the world
Completely free to use (with ads, unless you upgrade)

YouTube and Spotify don’t have the structure or progress tracking that apps like Headspace or Mana provide, but they’re perfect for beginners or anyone on a budget. With just a quick search, you can discover thousands of guided meditations, sleep tracks, and mindfulness podcasts — all at no cost.

Websites: youtube.com | spotify.com