7 Best Calming Apps: Reduce, Relieve, and Manage Stress

By Matt RedererUpdated on August 15, 2024

Being in a state of calm is something a lot of people wish they could experience more often. Despite your best efforts, it can be difficult to obtain when you’re struggling with anxiety or overwhelmed with life in general. As anxiety is on the rise across North America, many people are looking for easy ways to help them relax.

Luckily, calming yourself down can now be done with the help of your phone. There are now plenty of apps available to target anxiety and stress and incorporate more relaxation into your life. We have a list of what we think are some of the best apps to help you achieve this.

Read on to learn more about the apps and different calming methods available.

7 best calming apps to help with your anxiety

There are plenty of ways to calm yourself down whenever you’re struggling with anxiety. Here are 7 calming apps that we think can help.

1. Brain.fm

Brain.fm music player

Download It Now: Android | iOS

Cost: Free, premium subscriptions available for $6.99 per month or $49.99 per year

Calming Method: Relaxing music

Brain.fm is one of the best calming apps with its AI-generated music. The app uses a person’s specific goals and situation to play music that will help soothe the listener. It recommends 15 minutes of listening to help with various situations including relaxation, focus, sleep, naps, and meditation.

2. MoodMission

MoodMission mission options screen

Download It Now: Android | iOS

Cost: Free, in-app purchases available

Calming Method: Calming activities

MoodMission is one of the best apps for calming anxiety, as it helps users take control when they’re struggling to relax. The app will ask you to fill out questionnaires about your current state, which will help it tailor different missions to you. The missions are all easily attainable tasks that are proven to boost your mood once they’re successfully completed.

3. BrainWave Tuner

BrainWave Tuner relax-themed audio library

Download It Now: iOS

Cost: $3.99

Calming Method: Calming sounds

BrainWave Tuner is a calming app that uses brainwaves and white noise to help users achieve their desired state. Users can customize the sounds to meet their specific needs and even adjust the strength to help themselves feel more relaxed. The app has many different programs to choose from, including relaxation, de-stress, meditation, memory boost, sleep induction, and more.

4. Breathe2Relax

Breathe2Relax breathe screen

Download It Now: Android | iOS

Cost: Free

Calming Method: Breathing exercises

Breathe2Relax is one of the best free calming apps, with its easy-to-follow breathing exercises. The app features an accessible design and clear instructions that help guide users through various breathing exercises when they find themselves in stressful situations. It’s a great app for those struggling with anxiety or needing help relaxing after a long day.


5. Stress Relief Adult Color Book

Stress Relief Adult Color Book home screen

Download It Now: Android | iOS

Cost: Free

Calming Method: Coloring pages

Stress Relief Adult Color Book is one of the best free calming apps that lets users color beautiful images right on their phone. The app features a wide selection of imagery that you can fill with various color palettes. It’s a great app to have when you want an easy activity to help you relax on-the-go.

6. Happify

Happify homescreen

Download It Now: Android | iOS

Cost: Free, subscription upgrades available for $14.99/month, $139.99/year, or a $449.99 lifetime purchase

Calming Method: Calming games

Happify is one of the best calming game apps designed for managing anxiety and lowering stress levels. The app suggests activities and games that help users reduce their stress and combat negative ways of thinking. Many who’ve used the app have found that they feel much happier and relaxed after regular use.

7. DARE

DARE anxiety audio player

Download It Now: Android | iOS

Cost: $9.99/month, in-app purchases available

Calming Method: Calming audio

DARE is a popular anxiety app that makes use of evidence-based training programs in the form of audio to help users overcome the stresses they regularly experience. It is known to help with generalized anxiety, panic attacks, worries, and insomnia. The app is easy to use on the go, so users can access it whenever they find themselves in a situation that causes anxiety.


That’s our list of some of the best calming apps available. Test them out and see which ones help you relax and unwind. We hope you find one that works for you. If you’d like to explore other apps available for mental health and well-being, check out the best chat apps for depression, or the best meditation apps and sites.

And remember, if you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911 immediately or go to your nearest emergency department.