Calm vs Headspace
Side-by-side comparison to help you choose
| Feature | Calm | Headspace |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 4.5 | 3.9 |
| App Store | 4.8 | |
| Google Play | 4.5 | 4.3 |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Downloads | 50M+ | 10M+ |
| Size | 178 MB | |
| In-App Purchases | ||
| Requires Internet | ||
| Age Rating | Everyone | Everyone |
| Developer | Calm.com, Inc. | Headspace for Meditation, Mindfulness and Sleep |
Choose Calm if...
Calm is worth the investment for chronic insomniacs or those committed to daily meditation who need structured guidance, but budget-conscious users should skip it entirely—free alternatives like Insight Timer offer more functionality without the aggressive monetization and billing risks.
Choose Headspace if...
Headspace suits meditation beginners and those seeking structured mental health support, particularly if accessed through employer benefits or state-sponsored programs that offset costs. However, users prioritizing technical reliability should avoid subscribing until the development team resolves persistent stability issues, with Calm or Insight Timer serving as more dependable alternatives for now.