Calm
An app that reads you a story at bedtime and guides short meditations.
What Calm does
Calm is one of the best known sleep and meditation apps. You get bedtime stories read by well-known voices, guided meditations, breathing exercises and calming sounds and music. It runs on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Apple Watch.
Calm is built for winding down. Many people open it at night for a sleep story, a calming soundscape or a short meditation, and it does that job with a polished, gentle feel.
During the day it offers guided programs, daily sessions and short breathing exercises you can do in a couple of minutes. There's plenty for beginners, so you don't need any meditation background.
The catch is price. A small part of the library is free, but most of it sits behind Calm Premium. If you mostly want rain sounds or a white noise loop, a dedicated sound app is cheaper.
A good way to try it: use the free content for a week at bedtime. If you keep reaching for the stories, Premium is probably worth it. If you mostly play one sound, save your money.
Alternatives to Calm
Who it's for
Skip it if: Anyone who only needs white noise. People who want a free meditation app.
Pricing
Free planCalm is free to download with a small free selection. Calm Premium is listed at $14.99 a month or $69.99 a year on the US App Store. A free trial is sometimes offered.
Prices can vary by country. Checked 19 Oct 2026.
What people like
- Huge library of sleep stories and meditations
- Easy for beginners
- Works on phone, tablet, Mac and Apple Watch
- No ads
Watch out for
- Most content needs a paid subscription
- No sleep tracking
- Costs more than simple sound apps
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Questions people ask
Is Calm free?
Partly. You can download it and use a small set of free content, but most sleep stories and programs need Calm Premium.
How much is Calm Premium?
The US App Store lists Calm Premium at $14.99 a month or $69.99 a year. Prices can change, so check the app before you subscribe.
Does Calm track my sleep?
No. Calm focuses on stories, sounds and meditation. If you want sleep tracking, look at a dedicated sleep tracker.
Does Calm work on Android?
Yes. Calm is on Google Play as well as the App Store.