🎧 Listen to this guide

Calm App Cost in 2024: Is the Premium Subscription Worth It?

In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of peace can feel like searching for an oasis in a desert. With stress levels rising and sleep becoming increasingly elusive, many of us turn to technology for solutions. Meditation apps promise serenity at our fingertips, but with so many options available, one question inevitably arises: is the investment worth it? If you’ve found yourself wondering about the Calm app cost and whether it delivers value for money, you’re in the right place.

The Calm app offers a free version with limited content, but a Calm Premium subscription costs approximately $69.99 per year (billed annually) or $14.99 per month. A lifetime subscription is also available for a one-time fee. This guide will break down exactly what you get for each price point to help you decide if it’s the right investment for your peace of mind.

Breaking Down the Calm Subscription Tiers

Understanding the Calm app cost structure is essential to determining which option aligns with your mindfulness journey and budget. The app operates on a freemium model, meaning there’s a basic free version designed to give you a taste of what Calm offers, plus several premium tiers that unlock the full experience.

What You Get With the Free Version of Calm

The free version of Calm serves as an excellent entry point for those curious about meditation apps but not ready to commit financially. Think of it as a “try before you buy” opportunity that lets you explore the app’s interface and basic features without opening your wallet.

The free tier includes:

A limited selection of guided meditations (typically 7-10 sessions)
Several sleep stories to help you drift off
A few tracks from their music library
The daily Calm meditation—a 10-minute session that changes each day
Basic breathing exercises

While these resources provide genuine value, the limitations become apparent quickly for regular users. You’ll likely find yourself wanting access to more variety, specialized content, and the full library that makes Calm stand out in the crowded mindfulness app market.

Calm Premium: Pricing & Plans

For those serious about establishing a consistent mindfulness practice, Calm Premium unlocks the app’s full potential. The pricing structure is designed to encourage long-term commitment, with significant savings for those who choose annual billing.

Annual Subscription: $69.99 per year (effectively $5.83 per month)
Monthly Subscription: $14.99 per month
Lifetime Access: One-time payment of $399.99 (occasionally discounted during promotions)

The annual plan clearly offers the best value, saving you nearly 60% compared to paying monthly. For the price of a few specialty coffees each month, you gain unlimited access to Calm’s entire content library.

It’s worth noting that Calm occasionally offers family plans and student discounts, though these aren’t always prominently advertised. If you fall into either category, it’s worth contacting their support team or checking their website for current offers.

Is Calm Premium Worth the Price? A Feature-by-Feature Review

Beyond the raw numbers, the true Calm app cost must be measured against the value it delivers. Let’s examine what your subscription actually buys you and how these features contribute to your mental wellbeing.

Unlimited Access to Guided Meditations

The heart of Calm’s offering is its extensive library of guided meditations covering virtually every need and experience level. While the free version gives you a handful of options, Premium unlocks hundreds of sessions organized by goal, duration, and technique.

Categories include:

Stress and anxiety reduction
Focus and concentration
Sleep and relaxation
Relationships and gratitude
Breaking habits and personal growth
Coping with change and uncertainty

The meditations range from quick 3-minute “Emergency Calm” sessions to 30-minute deep practices, allowing you to fit mindfulness into any schedule. The guides are voiced by experts including Tamara Levitt, Calm’s head of mindfulness, whose soothing delivery has become synonymous with the app itself.

For a sample of the quality you can expect, try our 10-minute guided meditation for anxiety.

Exclusive Sleep Stories and Music

Calm revolutionized the sleep app category with its now-famous Sleep Stories—bedtime tales for adults designed to lull you into restful slumber. The Premium subscription grants access to the entire collection, including stories narrated by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey, Harry Styles, and Idris Elba.

The sleep content library includes:

Over 200 Sleep Stories across various categories (fairytales, travel, nature)
“Sleep Moves”—gentle exercises to prepare your body for rest
Soundscapes designed for deep sleep
Music composed specifically for relaxation and sleep

If you struggle with sleep, Calm’s sleep content is a major selling point. You can explore the style with our own guided sleep meditation for healing.

The music library alone represents significant value, with tracks composed by artists like Keith Urban and Disney’s film composer. For a taste of the audio quality, listen to our 10-minute meditation music.

Masterclasses and Exclusive Content

For those looking to deepen their understanding of mindfulness beyond daily practice, Calm Premium offers Masterclasses—in-depth courses taught by world-renowned experts in various fields of mental wellness.

Recent Masterclasses have featured:

Dr. Judson Brewer teaching how to break anxiety patterns
Elizabeth Gilbert on creativity and curiosity
Stephen Fry exploring the connection between mindfulness and philosophy
LeBron James discussing performance and mindset

These sessions typically run 10-30 minutes each and are organized into multi-part series, providing structured learning that complements the more spontaneous meditation practice.

Additional Features: Breathing Exercises, Calm Body, and More

Beyond the headline features, Calm Premium includes several supplementary tools that round out the mindfulness experience:

Breathing Exercises: Visual breathing timers with various patterns (4-7-8 breathing, box breathing, etc.) to help regulate your nervous system
Calm Body: Guided gentle movement and stretching sessions for all levels
Daily Check-In: A mood tracker that helps you build awareness of your emotional patterns
Calm Kids: Mindfulness content designed specifically for children
Unguided Timers: For those who prefer silent meditation with optional ambient sounds

How Calm Stacks Up: A Quick Look at Alternatives

To properly evaluate the Calm app cost, it helps to understand how it compares to its main competitors in the mindfulness app space.

Calm vs. Headspace: At a Glance

Headspace is Calm’s primary competitor, with similar pricing ($69.99 annually or $12.99 monthly) but a slightly different approach to mindfulness.

Key differences:

Teaching Style: Headspace focuses more on the fundamentals of meditation with structured courses, while Calm offers more variety and specialization
Sleep Content: Calm is renowned for its Sleep Stories, while Headspace offers “Sleepcasts”—visual and audio wind-down experiences
Animation: Headspace uses friendly animations to explain mindfulness concepts
Focus Areas: Both cover similar ground, but Calm has more content focused on anxiety and stress management

If you’re comparing options, you might also be interested in our review of apps similar to Headspace.

Maximizing Your Calm Subscription: Tips and Tricks

Once you’ve decided the Calm app cost is justified for your needs, these strategies will help you extract maximum value from your subscription.

Explore Different Meditation Styles

Many users stick to one or two favorite meditation types, but Calm’s strength lies in its diversity. Challenge yourself to try different approaches:

Start your day with focused attention meditations
Use loving-kindness meditations to improve relationships
Experiment with body scan techniques before sleep
Try SOS sessions during moments of acute stress

Not sure where to start? A 5-minute guided meditation is perfect for beginners.

For a longer, more immersive session, our 20-minute guided meditation is ideal.

Integrate Calm Into Your Daily Routines

The true value of any mindfulness app emerges through consistent use. Build Calm into existing habits:

Morning: Start with The Daily Calm to set a positive tone for your day
Midday: Use a 3-minute breathing space between tasks to reset focus
Commute: Listen to a mindfulness masterclass during your travel
Evening: Establish a wind-down routine with a Sleep Story
Bedtime: Use the sleep music or soundscapes throughout the night

Research suggests that it takes about 8 weeks of consistent meditation to experience structural brain changes associated with reduced anxiety and improved focus. Committing to regular practice ensures you’ll receive tangible returns on your investment.

Calm App Cost FAQ (For Voice Search & “People Also Ask”)

Is There a Completely Free Version of the Calm App?

Yes, Calm offers a free version with limited content, including a small selection of meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and the daily Calm meditation. However, most of the app’s extensive library remains locked behind the Premium paywall.

How Much Is Calm Per Month?

The monthly Calm Premium subscription costs $14.99 when billed monthly. However, the annual plan breaks down to just $5.83 per month—a significant savings for those committed to long-term practice.

Does Calm Offer a Free Trial?

Calm frequently offers a 7-day free trial for new users to test Calm Premium. This allows full access to all features before committing to a paid subscription. Always check their official website for the latest trial offers, similar to how you’d look for an open app free trial.

Can I Get Calm for Free?

Outside of the limited free version, Calm sometimes partners with organizations, insurance providers, or employers to offer free subscriptions. Some health insurance plans include mindfulness app subscriptions as part of their wellness benefits, and companies increasingly offer Calm as an employee perk. It’s worth checking with your workplace or health provider about potential partnerships.

Conclusion & CTA

The Calm app cost represents more than just another subscription fee—it’s an investment in your mental wellbeing that can pay dividends in reduced stress, improved sleep, and greater emotional resilience. While the free version offers a genuine taste of mindfulness practice, the Premium subscription unlocks the full potential of what many consider the market’s leading meditation app.

At approximately $5.83 per month with annual billing, Calm Premium costs less than many other wellness investments while offering substantial resources for mental health maintenance. For those struggling with sleep, the Sleep Stories alone may justify the subscription cost. For others, the diverse meditation library or expert Masterclasses provide the value.

We hope this breakdown of the Calm app cost helps you make an informed decision. Remember, the best meditation app is the one you’ll use consistently.

To deepen your practice without an app, explore our extensive library of free resources, including guided meditation scripts for relaxation.

METADATA_START—
CATEGORY: Tools-Gear
DISPLAY_TITLE: Calm App Cost in 2024: Is the Premium Subscription Worth It?
SEO_TITLE: Calm App Cost 2024: Premium Subscription Worth It? | Review
META_DESC: Complete breakdown of Calm app cost & value. Is Calm Premium worth $69.99/year? Free vs Premium features, alternatives, and money-saving tips revealed.
IMG_PROMPT: A person peacefully using the Calm app on their smartphone while sitting in a serene natural environment with soft morning light
IMG_ALT: Person using Calm app on phone displaying meditation options with calm app cost information
IMG_TITLE: calm app cost – Visual
IMG_CAPTION: Finding peace of mind: Understanding the true Calm app cost for your mindfulness journey
IMG_DESC: A person in a tranquil outdoor setting interacts with the Calm app interface on their smartphone, showcasing the meditation options available through the subscription
—METADATA_END—