Calm vs Headspace: which sleep and meditation app fits you?

Calm and Headspace are both popular, well-reviewed sleep and meditation apps, and they suit different people. Tap what sounds like you and the picker shows which fits best. We also include a third option, Sleepward, which our studio makes, so you can see it next to both.

What sounds like you? Tap all that apply

Pick at least two.

Calm0

Headspace0

Sleepward0

Calm vs Headspace vs Sleepward at a glance

	Calm	Headspace	Sleepward
Core idea	Sleep Stories, meditation, sleep sounds and breathing exercises	Expert-led meditation, mindfulness courses and mental health support	A guided wind-down routine before bed
Account, ads, privacy	See its listing	See its listing	No account, no ads; records stay on your iPhone
Price to start	Free download, optional subscription	Free download, optional subscription	Subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase
App Store ratings	4.8 from about 2 million ratings	4.8 from about 974,000 ratings	Newer, fewer ratings so far

Facts from each app's App Store listing, November 2026. Sleepward is made by Honest Little Apps, the studio behind this page.

Who each one is for

Choose Calm if…You fall asleep best to stories and soothing audio, and it's the best-known sleep app.

Choose Headspace if…You want to learn meditation step by step with expert courses, and it's hugely trusted.

Or try Sleepward if…Your sleep starts going wrong before you're even in bed, and you want a calm routine to fix that.

All honest comparisons

Sleepward: Bedtime Routine

Sleepward: Bedtime Routine gives your day a clear ending with a guided wind-down routine. No accounts, no ads, and your records stay on your device. Subscription or one-time lifetime purchase.

Free on the App Store

Questions

Which is better, Calm or Headspace?

Calm leans into sleep stories and relaxing audio. Headspace leans into learning meditation through courses. Both offer free trials, so try the one that matches your goal.

Is Sleepward free?

Sleepward is free to download. Price to start: Subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase.

Where did these comparison facts come from?

From each app's App Store listing in November 2026. Features and prices change, so check the listing before you decide.

Updated November 12, 2026.

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