Calm vs Exhale+Unwind for Breathing
Calm is one of the world's most downloaded apps. Exhale+Unwind is a focused breathing tool. Here's how they compare when breathing is the goal.
Calm is a broad sleep and meditation platform (typically around $70 a year in the US) with breathing as one feature. Exhale+Unwind is breathing only: 32 mood-matched exercises, 8 free, no account, and Premium for US $8.99 a year.
What Calm offers
Calm is a premium wellness platform built around sleep, meditation and relaxation, with sleep stories, breathing exercises, focus music and daily sessions. Full access is subscription-based, typically around $70 a year in the US at the time of writing.
What Exhale+Unwind offers
Exhale+Unwind is a dedicated breathing app: 32 exercises, matched to your mood, guided by an animated visualizer with audio cues and haptics. It's free to download with 8 exercises free, needs no account, and Premium costs US $8.99 a year.
Key differences
- Focus: Calm covers sleep, meditation and relaxation broadly; Exhale+Unwind is breathing only.
- Price: both use subscriptions for full access; Exhale+Unwind Premium is US $8.99 a year, Calm typically around $70.
- Account: Exhale+Unwind needs no account or email.
- Speed: Exhale+Unwind gets you to a matched exercise in about five seconds; Calm is a longer-form platform.
Which is better for breathing?
If you want the full Calm ecosystem (sleep stories, meditations, daily sessions), the subscription makes sense. If you mainly want short breathing exercises that are quick to reach, low-cost and need no account, Exhale+Unwind is the better fit.
Common questions
Is Exhale+Unwind cheaper than Calm?
For full access, yes. Exhale+Unwind Premium is US $8.99 a year (prices vary by country) and 8 exercises are free. Calm typically costs around $70 a year at the time of writing.
Does Calm have breathing exercises?
Yes. Calm includes breathing exercises alongside meditation, sleep stories and music. Exhale+Unwind focuses only on breathing and matches exercises to your mood.
Do I need an account to use Exhale+Unwind?
No. There's no sign-up, name or email required. Open the app and breathe.
Need it right now? Open the quick-start page: Calm alternative for breathing.
This guide is for general wellbeing and is not medical advice. If you have a heart or lung condition, are pregnant, or your symptoms are severe, talk to a doctor.