In This Article
Calm and Headspace are the two most popular meditation apps in the world — but they take very different approaches. After using both daily for over three months, here's our honest, side-by-side comparison to help you choose the right one.
Quick Verdict
Choose Headspace if: You're a beginner who needs structure, you want courses that build progressively, or anxiety is your primary concern.
Choose Calm if: Sleep is your main priority, you prefer a less structured approach, or you enjoy audio content like Sleep Stories.
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Beginners | 🏆 Headspace | Better structured courses and progressive learning |
| Sleep | 🏆 Calm | Sleep Stories are unmatched in quality and variety |
| Anxiety | 🏆 Headspace | Dedicated anxiety programme with SOS sessions |
| Free content | Tie | Both are limited; consider Insight Timer instead |
| App design | Tie | Both beautifully designed with different aesthetics |
| Yoga content | 🏆 Calm | More movement and stretching content |
| Value | Tie | Both $69.99/yr — identical pricing |
Feature Comparison
Headspace Features
- Progressive courses (Basics 1-3, Managing Anxiety, Self-Esteem)
- SOS sessions for acute stress moments (3 minutes)
- Focus music for work and study
- Sleepcasts (audio environments for sleep)
- Move mode (light exercise and stretching)
- Animations explaining meditation concepts
Calm Features
- Sleep Stories narrated by celebrities (200+ stories)
- Daily Calm (new 10-minute meditation every day)
- Masterclasses with experts
- Nature scenes and ambient sounds
- Breathing exercises with visual guides
- Music for focus, relaxation, and sleep
Meditation Content
Headspace wins for structure. The app organises meditation into multi-session courses that build skills progressively. You start with "Basics" and advance to specific topics like anxiety, relationships, or self-esteem. Each course explains the theory behind the technique, making it educational as well as practical.
Calm wins for flexibility. The Daily Calm gives you a fresh meditation every morning, and the library is organised by topic rather than courses. This works well for people who already have some meditation experience and want variety rather than structure.
Sleep Content
Calm is the clear winner here. Sleep Stories are Calm's flagship feature — they're essentially bedtime stories for adults, narrated in soothing voices with gentle background music. They're designed to be interesting enough to hold attention but boring enough to help you drift off. Celebrity narrators include Matthew McConaughey, Harry Styles, and Stephen Fry.
Headspace's Sleepcasts are good but different — they're more like audio environments (a slow train journey, a desert campfire) than stories. They're effective but less engaging than Calm's approach.
For more sleep strategies, read our yoga nidra for sleep guide — it's a powerful complement to app-based sleep content.
Anxiety Features
Headspace is better for anxiety. The "Managing Anxiety" course is a 30-session programme specifically designed to help you understand and manage anxiety through meditation. The SOS sessions (quick 3-minute exercises) are invaluable during anxiety spikes — something Calm doesn't really offer.
Calm has anxiety-related content scattered throughout its library, but it's not as focused or structured as Headspace's approach. For a comprehensive anxiety strategy, we recommend combining Headspace with yoga for anxiety.
Our Pick for Anxiety: Headspace
Dedicated anxiety course with 30 sessions + SOS quick-relief meditations.
Try Headspace Free for 14 Days →Affiliate link — we earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Headspace | Calm |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | $69.99/yr ($5.83/mo) | $69.99/yr ($5.83/mo) |
| Monthly | $12.99/mo | $14.99/mo |
| Free trial | 14 days | 7 days |
| Family plan | $99.99/yr (6 accounts) | $99.99/yr (6 accounts) |
| Student discount | $9.99/yr (!) | Not available |
| Lifetime | Not available | $399.99 one-time |
Key difference: Headspace's student plan at $9.99/year is an incredible deal. If you're a student, there's no contest — go with Headspace. Calm's lifetime option ($399.99) may appeal if you plan to use it for 5+ years.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Headspace if you:
- Are a complete meditation beginner
- Want structured courses that build skills progressively
- Primarily struggle with anxiety
- Are a student (unbeatable $9.99/yr price)
- Want educational content explaining the "why" behind meditation
Choose Calm if you:
- Primarily struggle with sleep
- Prefer a less structured, more flexible approach
- Love audio content and storytelling
- Want lifetime access (one-time purchase option)
- Enjoy celebrity-narrated content
Consider alternatives if you:
- Want free content → Insight Timer (200,000+ free meditations)
- Want depth → Waking Up (philosophical and intellectual approach)
- Want yoga + meditation → Alo Moves (best combined platform)
- Need professional help → BetterHelp (online therapy)
See all our recommendations: Best Meditation Apps 2026.
FAQs
Can I switch between Calm and Headspace?
Yes — both offer month-to-month plans. Many people try both free trials before committing. We recommend testing Headspace first (longer 14-day trial) then Calm.
Is Calm or Headspace better for yoga?
Neither is primarily a yoga app. For yoga, we recommend dedicated yoga platforms like Alo Moves. However, Calm does offer some light stretching and body movement content.
Do either work offline?
Both allow downloading sessions for offline use with a paid subscription.
