9 Best Breathwork Apps For Your Phone
| App Name | Best For | Key Features | AC Rating | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life7 | All-in-one mental wellness | Binaural beats, breathing exercises, SOS panic sessions, sleep stories | 4.8/5 | Free trial, weekly/monthly/yearly plans |
| Calm | Sleep and relaxation | Sleep stories, breathing exercises, celebrity narrations | 4.6/5 | Free basic features, premium subscription |
| Othership | Music-driven breathwork | 500+ sessions, soundscapes, emotional regulation tools | 4.5/5 | Free trial, monthly/yearly subscription |
| Breathwrk | Dedicated breathwork training | Exercise library, daily challenges, habit tracking | 4.4/5 | Free for Peloton members, premium available |
| Headspace | Beginners learning meditation | Guided courses, breathing basics, sleep content | 4.5/5 | Free basics, premium subscription |
| Insight Timer | Free meditation content | 190,000+ guided meditations, community features, breathwork | 4.6/5 | Free with optional premium |
| Open | Breathwork and movement combo | Live classes, nervous system regulation, fitness integration | 4.3/5 | Free trial, subscription plans |
| Prana Breath | Traditional pranayama practice | 8+ breathing patterns, custom routines, progress tracking | 4.2/5 | Free basic, paid guru version |
| Breathe2Relax | Diaphragmatic breathing | Stress management, customizable exercises, Apple Watch support | 4.0/5 | Free to download |
#1. Life7 – Best for All-in-One Mental Wellness
Life7 is a complete mental wellness app that covers everything from breathwork to sleep to meditation. I love how it brings together so many tools in one place. You get breathing exercises to calm your nervous system, plus SOS sessions for panic attacks.
The app includes binaural beats, solfeggio frequencies, and brain wave music. There are sleep stories for both adults and kids. You can also track your mood, build streaks, and earn XP through their gamified approach. New daily sessions keep things fresh every single day.
Key Features:
- Breathing exercises with SOS sessions for anxiety and panic attacks
- Brain wave music including delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequencies
- Sleep stories, hypnotherapy, CBT tools, and transcendental meditation
What I like: Life7 really does feel like having a wellness center in your pocket. The variety is incredible. I can switch from a quick breathing session to deep sleep music to a hypnotherapy session all in one app. The binaural beats and solfeggio frequencies are high quality. I also appreciate the gamified approach because it keeps me coming back. The daily sessions never get boring.
What I don’t like: The free content is pretty limited. You need to subscribe to access most of the good stuff. If you just want to try before you buy, you might feel restricted at first.
Pricing: 7 day free trial available. Weekly, monthly, and yearly subscription plans offered with frequent special deals.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#2. Calm – Best for Sleep and Relaxation
Calm has become one of the most popular wellness apps in the world. It boasts over 100 million downloads and tons of five star reviews. The app focuses heavily on sleep and relaxation with celebrity narrated bedtime stories.
You get breathing exercises with six customizable visualizations. There are programs called Relax, Balance, Restore, Focus, Energize, and Unwind. The app also includes guided meditations, nature sounds, and calming music designed to help you de-stress.
Key Features:
- Sleep stories narrated by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Harry Styles
- Six breathing visualization programs for different needs
- Daily Calm sessions and mood check-ins with light journaling
What I like: The sleep stories are genuinely magical. I have fallen asleep to celebrity voices telling peaceful tales more times than I can count. The breathing exercises come with beautiful visual guides that make the practice feel effortless. The variety of content means I never run out of new things to try.
What I don’t like: The app can feel overwhelming at first because there is just so much content. The interface takes some getting used to. Also, most of the good content requires a premium subscription.
Pricing: Free version with limited features. Monthly and yearly subscription options available. Lifetime membership option exists.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#3. Othership – Best for Music-Driven Breathwork
Othership takes a unique approach by combining breathwork with incredible music and soundscapes. The app features over 500 guided sessions taught by top breathwork facilitators. Everything is set to carefully curated soundtracks.
Sessions are organized into categories like Up for energy, Down for relaxation, and All Around for balance. The music transforms simple breathing exercises into immersive experiences. You can track your streaks and connect with a global community of breathers.
Key Features:
- 500+ breathwork classes with music from DJs and sound healing artists
- Five breathing styles including Up, Down, All Around, Body, and Brain
- Streak tracking, progress monitoring, and community features
What I like: The music completely changes the breathwork experience. It feels less like a chore and more like a mini adventure. I love how the app guides me without overwhelming me with choices. The instructors are engaging and the soundscapes are genuinely beautiful.
What I don’t like: The subscription price is higher than some competitors. The music can sometimes be too loud over the vocal instructions. Some users might prefer a quieter, more traditional approach.
Pricing: Free trial available for 7 or 14 days. Monthly and yearly subscription plans offered.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#4. Breathwrk – Best for Dedicated Breathwork Training
Breathwrk focuses entirely on breathing exercises. This singular focus has made it one of the most popular pure breathwork apps available. The app was acquired by Peloton and is now free for their members.
You get hundreds of exercises and classes organized by goal. There are sessions for calming down, energizing, improving sleep, and boosting performance. The app includes breath tests, challenges, and a Top Breather leaderboard to keep you motivated.
Key Features:
- Hundreds of breathing exercises sorted by purpose and duration
- Daily classes updated every 24 hours with habit tracking
- Lung score tests and breath hold challenges
What I like: I appreciate the laser focus on just breathwork. The exercises are short and effective. Many are just one to two minutes which makes them easy to fit into a busy day. The panic button feature has genuinely helped me during stressful moments. The variety of exercises for different goals is impressive.
What I don’t like: Free for Peloton members is great but if you are not a Peloton user, access can be tricky. The app is not available everywhere globally. Some users miss having meditation content alongside the breathwork.
Pricing: Free for Peloton All-Access, Guide, and App+ members. Premium version available for non-members.
Platforms: iOS and Android (limited regions)
#5. Headspace – Best for Beginners Learning Meditation
Headspace is the perfect starting point for people new to meditation and breathwork. The app offers a structured basics course that teaches you the fundamentals. Everything is presented with friendly animations and clear guidance.
The breathing exercises are designed for different situations and moods. You get sleep content including sleepcasts and nighttime SOS sessions. Focus programs help with concentration during work. The app uses science-backed methods throughout.
Key Features:
- Beginner-friendly courses with animated guides and clear instructions
- 1000+ expert-led exercises including meditation and breathing
- Sleepcast content and focus playlists for work productivity
What I like: Headspace genuinely made meditation feel accessible when I was starting out. The basics course walks you through everything step by step. The animations are charming and make learning feel fun. I also love the focus music for work. It helps me concentrate without being distracting.
What I don’t like: The app feels more centered on meditation than breathwork specifically. If you want intense breathing sessions, this might feel too gentle. The free tier is quite limited in what it offers.
Pricing: Free basics course and limited content. Monthly and yearly premium subscriptions available with family plans.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#6. Insight Timer – Best for Free Meditation Content
Insight Timer offers the largest free library of guided meditations and breathwork content. There are over 190,000 tracks from 17,000 teachers worldwide. The community features make it feel like a social network for mindfulness.
You get everything from simple timers to full breathwork courses. There are live events, yoga classes, and sleep stories. The app includes mood check-ins and group features where you can connect with other meditators.
Key Features:
- 190,000+ free guided meditations from teachers worldwide
- Customizable meditation timer with various bell sounds
- Community groups, live events, and yoga classes
What I like: The amount of free content is genuinely unbeatable. I have never run out of new things to try. The community aspect makes me feel connected to other people on the same journey. The timer feature is perfect for self-guided practice. I can just set it and breathe.
What I don’t like: The sheer volume of content can be overwhelming. Quality varies since anyone can upload content. Finding exactly what you want sometimes takes patience. The app focuses more on meditation than dedicated breathwork.
Pricing: Free with over 100,000 meditations. Optional premium subscription for courses and offline access.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#7. Open – Best for Breathwork and Movement Combo
Open bridges the gap between breathwork, meditation, and physical movement. The app combines breathing exercises with yoga, pilates, and fitness classes. Everything is designed to regulate your nervous system.
Sessions range from quick five minute breathwork to hour-long strength classes. The instructors blend science and spirituality in their teaching. You can practice through the app or visit their flagship studio in Los Angeles.
Key Features:
- Breathwork, meditation, and movement classes in one app
- Sessions ranging from 5 minutes to 60 minutes
- Progress tracking with streaks, reminders, and badges
What I like: I love how Open combines breath with movement. It feels more complete than apps that only offer one thing. The instructors explain the science behind what you are doing which helps me stay motivated. The variety means I can do a quick breath session or a full workout depending on my mood.
What I don’t like: The app can be hard to navigate at first. Sessions are not always labeled clearly. If you only want pure breathwork without fitness content, this might feel like too much.
Pricing: Free trial available. Monthly and yearly subscription options.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#8. Prana Breath – Best for Traditional Pranayama Practice
Prana Breath is rooted in ancient breathing traditions including pranayama, Tibetan, and Sufi practices. The app offers over eight breathing patterns for different purposes. You can create your own custom routines.
The interface is simple. Just tap play, close your eyes, and let the sound guide you. The app tracks your progress with detailed statistics. There are unique features like anti-appetite training for emotional eating.
Key Features:
- 8+ breathing patterns derived from pranayama and other traditions
- Custom pattern creation and detailed progress statistics
- Screen-off mode for battery saving during practice
What I like: The simplicity is refreshing. No fancy graphics or distracting features. Just pure breathwork guided by sound. I appreciate the traditional roots of the practices. The ability to create my own patterns means I can design exactly what I need.
What I don’t like: The interface feels dated compared to flashier apps. Some users have reported issues with billing and customer service. The learning curve for custom patterns takes some time.
Pricing: Free version with basic features. Guru version available as a one-time purchase.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#9. Breathe2Relax – Best for Diaphragmatic Breathing
Breathe2Relax was developed with stress management in mind. The app focuses specifically on diaphragmatic breathing techniques. These are proven to calm your fight-or-flight response.
You can customize your breathing exercises based on your preferences. The app integrates with Apple Watch to monitor your heart rate during practice. Sessions can be adjusted to match how you are feeling.
Key Features:
- Diaphragmatic breathing exercises for stress and anxiety relief
- Customizable session lengths and breathing patterns
- Apple Watch integration for heart rate monitoring
What I like: This app does one thing and does it well. Diaphragmatic breathing is fundamental and this app teaches it properly. The ability to see my heart rate change during practice is motivating. The customization options let me tailor everything to my needs.
What I don’t like: The app feels basic compared to competitors with more features. The content library is limited. If you want variety in your breathwork, you might outgrow this app quickly.
Pricing: Free to download.
Platforms: iOS only
What is the Best Free Breathwork App?
Insight Timer stands out as the best free breathwork app available. It offers access to over 190,000 guided meditations and breathwork sessions without requiring any payment. The library includes content from 17,000 teachers worldwide.
You can use the basic features completely free with no ads. The app includes a customizable meditation timer, community groups, and live events. While there is a premium subscription for extra features like offline listening, the free tier is remarkably comprehensive.
If you prefer a simpler free option, Breathe2Relax is completely free with no subscription required. It focuses on diaphragmatic breathing for stress relief and works well for beginners.
How Does Breathwork Actually Help with Anxiety?
Breathwork directly affects your nervous system. When you breathe slowly and deeply, you activate your parasympathetic nervous system. This is sometimes called the rest and digest response. It counteracts the fight or flight mode that anxiety triggers.
Deep breathing lowers cortisol levels which is the stress hormone. It also reduces your heart rate and blood pressure. Studies show that consistent breathwork practice can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and even PTSD.
The key is making it a regular habit. Even five to ten minutes of focused breathing each day can make a noticeable difference. Apps make this easier by providing guidance, reminders, and tracking to help you stay consistent.
Can Breathwork Apps Replace Therapy?
Breathwork apps are wonderful tools but they should not replace professional mental health treatment. If you are dealing with serious anxiety, depression, or trauma, working with a licensed therapist is important. Apps work best as a complement to professional care.
That said, breathwork apps can be incredibly helpful for everyday stress management. They provide accessible techniques you can use anytime and anywhere. Many therapists actually recommend breathwork apps as homework between sessions.
Think of these apps as part of your wellness toolkit. They give you practical skills to manage stress in the moment. But for deeper issues, combining app-based practice with professional support will give you the best results.