Calm is one of the most popular meditation and sleep apps in the world, known for its soothing nature scenes, celebrity-narrated Sleep Stories, and extensive meditation library. After three months of daily use, here's whether it lives up to its name.
Calm — Our Rating: 4.7/5
The best meditation app for sleep and relaxation. Celebrity Sleep Stories, beautiful design, and comprehensive meditation content.
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Our Verdict
Calm is the best meditation app for sleep and relaxation. Its Sleep Stories are genuinely unique — nothing else comes close. The meditation content is excellent too, though slightly less structured than Headspace for beginners.
Choose Calm if: Sleep is your primary concern, you enjoy a relaxed atmosphere, or you want celebrity-narrated content (Matthew McConaughey, Harry Styles, LeBron James).
Choose Headspace instead if: You want more structured courses for learning meditation from scratch.
What Is Calm?
Calm was founded in 2012 and has grown into one of the world's most downloaded wellness apps. It offers guided meditations, Sleep Stories (bedtime stories for adults), breathing exercises, stretching routines, and relaxing music. The app's signature nature backgrounds and ambient sounds create an immediately calming experience.
Key Features
Sleep Stories
Calm's crown jewel. Over 100 bedtime stories narrated by celebrities and professional voice actors, designed to help you fall asleep. New stories are added weekly. Nothing else on the market matches this.
Daily Calm
A new 10-minute guided meditation every day, covering different themes and techniques. This is an excellent way to build a daily practice with fresh content.
Calm Masterclass
Video lessons from experts on topics like gratitude, mindful eating, managing stress, and building better habits. Think of it as a mini-course library within the app.
Calm Body
Guided stretching and gentle movement sessions. Not as comprehensive as Alo Moves for yoga, but a nice bonus.
Calm Kids
Dedicated content for children including sleep stories, breathing exercises, and age-appropriate meditations. A significant advantage for families.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $14.99/month | Cancel anytime |
| Annual | $69.99/year ($5.83/mo) | 7-day free trial — best value |
| Family | $99.99/year | Up to 6 members |
| Lifetime | $399.99 | One-time payment, all future content |
Calm's annual price ($69.99) matches Headspace. The lifetime plan is worth considering if you plan to use the app for 5+ years.
Pros & Cons
What We Loved
- Sleep Stories — genuinely unique; celebrity narrators make bedtime engaging
- Beautiful design — nature scenes and ambient sounds create immediate calm
- Daily Calm — fresh meditation every day keeps the practice interesting
- Kids content — excellent for families with children
- Masterclasses — video lessons add depth beyond basic meditation
What Could Be Better
- Less structured for beginners — Headspace's progressive courses are better for learning meditation
- Monthly price is steep — $14.99/month is high compared to $12.99 for Headspace
- Free content is limited — Insight Timer offers far more at no cost
- Meditation depth — lacks the philosophical depth of Waking Up
- Some content feels filler — not every session is equally well-produced
Calm vs Alternatives
| App | Best For | Price | Sleep? | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calm | 🏆 Sleep & relaxation | $69.99/yr | 🏆 Excellent | ★★★★★ 4.7 |
| Headspace | Beginners & courses | $69.99/yr | Good | ★★★★★ 4.8 |
| Insight Timer | Free content | Free / $59.99/yr | Good | ★★★★★ 4.9 |
Read our detailed Calm vs Headspace comparison or see all options in best meditation apps 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About Calm
Is Calm worth it in 2026?
Yes, especially if sleep is your priority. Calm's Sleep Stories are unmatched. At $69.99/year, you get daily meditations, sleep content, kids features, and masterclasses. The 7-day free trial lets you test everything.
How much does Calm cost?
Calm costs $14.99/month or $69.99/year. Family plan is $99.99/year for 6 members. Lifetime access is $399.99. Students get 40% off through some promotions.
Is Calm or Headspace better?
Calm is better for sleep and relaxation. Headspace is better for structured meditation learning. Both cost $69.99/year. Read our full comparison.
Is Calm free?
Calm offers limited free content (a few meditations and breathing exercises). Full access requires a subscription. A 7-day free trial is available. For free meditation, try Insight Timer.
Can Calm help with anxiety?
Yes. Calm offers anxiety-specific meditations, breathing exercises, and relaxation content. However, Headspace's Managing Anxiety course (30 sessions) is more structured for anxiety specifically.
Are Calm's Sleep Stories effective?
For many users, yes. The combination of soothing narration, ambient sounds, and gradually fading volume is designed to trigger your brain's sleep response. Celebrity voices add an engaging quality that keeps you from overthinking.
