Calm and Headspace are the most well-known meditation apps — but they cost $70–$100 per year and lock almost everything behind a paywall. If you want guided breathing exercises and meditation without committing to a subscription upfront, Serene Breathing is worth a look.
Here is an honest comparison of all three apps.
| Feature | Serene Breathing | Calm | Headspace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free + $29.99/year premium | ~$70/year | ~$70/year |
| Free to download | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Box breathing (free) | ✓ Free | ✗ Paid | ✗ Paid |
| Morning meditation (free) | ✓ Free | ✗ Paid | ✗ Paid |
| Daily practice (free) | ✓ Free | ✗ Paid | ✗ Paid |
| Need Calm Now (free) | ✓ Free | ✗ Paid | ✗ Paid |
| Account required | ✓ No | ✗ Yes | ✗ Yes |
| Full library price | Optional premium | ~$70/year | ~$70/year |
| Apple Watch | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| AI wellness coach | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| No ads ever | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Serene Breathing is free to download with core features included. Premium ($29.99/year) unlocks the full library of breathing exercises, meditation sessions, sleep sounds, and advanced AI coaching.
You want the largest library of sleep stories, celebrity meditations (LeBron James, Matthew McConaughey), and music tracks. Calm has the most content of any meditation app. Worth it if you use it daily.
You prefer a structured, course-based approach to meditation. Headspace is great for beginners who want to learn meditation step by step with animated guides.
You want to start with breathing exercises and meditation without committing $70/year upfront. The free tier includes real, usable features — box breathing, morning meditation, daily practice, and Need Calm Now — not just a 7-day trial.
No account required. No email. Your journal and session data stay on your device. No analytics, no tracking, no ads — ever.
No subscription. No account. No ads. Guided breathing, meditation, sleep sounds, and AI coaching on iPhone and Apple Watch.
Download Free on App Store