If you are searching for a meditation app that goes beyond sleep stories and celebrity voices, you have come to the right place.
Many people love Calm, but it is not always the perfect fit for everyone. In this honest, side-by-side review, we will show you how Breethe stacks up so you can find the right support for your real-life stress, sleep, and everything in between.
When evaluating whether one wellness tool is better than another, it is essential to understand that "better" is highly subjective.
For some, a better app is one that offers the most famous voices to lull them to sleep. For others, it is an app that provides practical, clinical tools to manage a mid-afternoon panic attack.
To create a fair comparison, we look at several key pillars:
Different users have different needs.
A parent might prioritize an app that offers a Parenting Coach to help navigate a chaotic household. A professional might seek out Sleep Hypnotherapy to ensure they are rested for a big presentation. Meanwhile, someone struggling with focus might look for specific ADHD support.
The ideal app should be an all-in-one partner that adapts to these changing roles rather than forcing the user to adapt to the app's rigid structure.
In this framework, we also consider expert involvement.
It is one thing to have a soothing voice; it is another to have content developed by qualified professionals specifically to target stress and anxiety.
Accessibility and affordability also play massive roles. If an app feels like an expensive "luxury" item that triggers guilt when you miss a day, it is not serving your mental health.
A better app feels like a friendly, affordable supplement to your wellness routine.
Breethe has built a reputation as the "friendliest wellness app," currently boasting over 30,000 5-star reviews and a community of 10 million users.
People who prefer Breethe often cite its sense of humor and lack of pretension. They describe the experience as less like a "meditation class" and more like a conversation with a supportive friend who understands that being human is hard.
“I have used all the meditation apps, Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, Balance.. and they have all been helpful, but I have also found them a little overwhelming.
Breethe has been a game changer, for me and my family of introverts, and I have to say that the AI coach is really fantastic, and a great support for anyone who struggles with anxiety or any level of neurodivergence which requires a little support or reassurance to either get things done, or talk things through. I have been amazed at its effectiveness.
Also, it was great to see hypnotherapy with experts such as Glenn Harold. Finally, Breethe is run by actual people, for seemingly all the right reasons and I’ve been incredibly impressed by the very human customer service provided. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.” - abipips
Calm, on the other hand, is widely praised for its high production value. Users love the celebrity Sleep Stories and the polished nature of its soundscapes.
However, a common critique found in app store reviews is that Calm can feel a bit "fluffy" or overly focused on entertainment rather than practical, situational help. Some users have noted that while the celebrity voices are nice, they don't always provide the therapeutic depth needed for significant anxiety or chronic sleep issues.
Credible third-party sites often highlight Breethe's clinical edge. While Calm leads in brand recognition and "star power," Breethe is frequently noted for its variety of content types, including its extensive hypnotherapy library and AI-driven personalization.
Users who have switched from Calm to Breethe often mention that they appreciate Breethe's ability to create custom content on the fly, making it feel more relevant to their specific daily struggles.
The best app ever !!!!!!
“I recently switched from Calm to Breethe. I found Calm’s meditations were not very relaxing and seemed repetitive. Lynne Goldberg’s voice is amazing. It’s so soothing and relaxing. The musical choices is the background is always incredibly calming. This app is a must for people who suffer from Anxiety like myself or simply just want to see the world in a more beautiful positive light. Thank you !!!” - D
While both apps offer high-quality meditation, Breethe stands out because it is a totally personalizable and all-in-one experience.
The most significant differentiator in 2026 is Breethe’s Made4You feature. Unlike Calm, which offers a static library for you to search, Breethe allows you to create customized content created for you instantly on any issue you are dealing with. You can generate custom meditations at five, ten, or fifteen minutes.
The Made4You tool also allows you to create custom hypnotherapy sessions and affirmations. Perhaps most impressively, you can create your very own sleep stories. You can choose any location in the world, travel in time, or even meet famous people from history within your narrative. This level of active creation ensures that the content is always perfectly aligned with what your mind needs at that exact moment.
Breethe also provides a dedicated team of AI coaches that Calm simply does not have. This includes:
While Calm focuses heavily on its Sleep Stories, Breethe offers a huge library of over 150 sleep stories of its own. This includes unique travel-themed stories, readings of old classics from literature, and original narratives designed to induce deep relaxation.
When you combine this with the Sleep Hypnotherapy tracks, Breethe provides a more clinical and versatile toolkit for those who struggle with rest.
Users who make the switch to Breethe often report a significant reduction in the feeling of being overwhelmed.
Because the app offers situational support for everything from financial anxiety to work stress, users feel like they have a tool for every problem rather than just a general "relaxation" button. The inclusion of humor and a friendly tone helps users stay consistent, leading to better long-term habit formation.
Data from Breethe's user base suggests that the personalized nature of the Made4You sessions leads to higher engagement and better outcomes for sleep and anxiety.
When a meditation is specifically about your meeting or your specific worry, it is far more effective at calming the nervous system. Anecdotes from former Calm users frequently highlight that they find Breethe more "practical" for their daily lives, helping them navigate real-world stressors with more resilience.
Consistency is where Breethe users see the most gain. Because the app doesn't feel like a "wellness assignment," users are more likely to check in multiple times a day. Whether it is a quick check-in with the Life Coach or a custom 5-minute affirmation session, these small touchpoints add up to a significant shift in overall mood and mental clarity.
Choosing between Breethe and Calm comes down to what you value most in your self-care journey.
You should choose Calm if:
You should choose Breethe if:
We encourage you to reflect on your primary goals.
If you want an app that acts as an all-in-one partner for your mental health, Breethe offers the most versatile toolkit on the market today.
You can download Breethe for free and explore the difference for yourself. Try creating a custom sleep story or a 5-minute meditation tailored to your current stressor and see how it feels to have an app that actually listens to you.
Is Breethe free to use? Breethe offers a selection of free content to get you started, along with a free trial that gives you full access to the library, AI Coaches, and the Made4You feature.
How is Breethe different from Calm? Breethe is an all-in-one, personalizable app that includes AI-generated custom content, hypnotherapy, and a team of specialized AI Coaches, whereas Calm focuses more on curated meditations and celebrity-led sleep stories.
Does Breethe have sleep stories? Yes, Breethe has a huge library of over 150 sleep stories, ranging from classic literature readings to unique travel stories and even custom stories you can create yourself.
Can Breethe help with specific issues like ADHD or parenting? Yes, Breethe has dedicated AI Coaches for ADHD, parenting, sleep, and life coaching, as well as an Emotional Assistant designed with therapists.
What is the Made4You feature? Made4You is a real-time AI tool that creates custom meditations, hypnotherapy, and sleep stories based on the specific issues you are dealing with, available in 5, 10, or 15-minute lengths.
Is Breethe good for beginners? Breethe is known as the "friendliest wellness app" and is perfect for beginners because of its relatable tone, easy navigation, and quick onboarding process.
