Nala: the free alternative to Calm

Calm is a leader in English-language meditation — but at $69.99/year, it's not accessible to everyone. Nala offers a different approach: a generous free tier (SOS, breathing, sounds) and affordable premium. Here's how they compare.

Why look for a Calm alternative

Calm has done great things for meditation awareness. But users consistently raise three issues:

1. The price — $69.99/year or $14.99/month. Free content is very limited after the first few sessions.

2. Generic content — No personalisation, no SOS for anxiety attacks. The same programme for everyone.

3. Meditation only — Limited ambient sounds, basic sleep stories, no rich children's content.

Nala was designed to address these gaps with a more complete approach. Explore our beginner programmes, bedtime stories, and sleep meditations.

Nala vs Calm: the comparison

Free SOS — Nala: 5 free SOS sessions (anxiety, stress, insomnia, panic, negative thoughts). Calm: no SOS.

Breathing exercises — Nala: 6 free techniques with animation. Calm: basic exercises in premium only.

Ambient sounds — Nala: 40+ sounds mixable for free. Calm: limited selection in premium.

Sleep stories — Nala: 5 kids stories (Luna) + 5 adult stories (Hadrien). Calm: celebrity-narrated stories in premium.

Premium price — Nala: €6.99/month or €49.99/year. Calm: $14.99/month or $69.99/year.

Personalised AI — Nala: AI chat for tailored support. Calm: none.

Try Nala free — more free content than Calm

Download Nala

7-day free trial. No commitment.

What Nala offers beyond Calm

Nala is more than a meditation app — it's a complete wellness companion. 4 specialised narrators accompany you: Nala for meditation, Luna for children, Hadrien for adult stories, Noam for difficult moments.

The free sound mixer, 6 breathing exercises, and 5 SOS sessions form a solid foundation accessible to everyone — no subscription, no limits.

Start tonight — it's free

Anxiety SOS, guided breathing, relaxing sounds — all free.

Download Nala

7-day free trial. No commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nala really free?
SOS (5 sessions), 6 breathing exercises, and the sound mixer (40+) are free forever. Programmes and stories require a premium subscription.
Does Nala have content in English?
Yes, all content is available in English and French. Voices, stories, and programmes are fully localised.
Can I transfer my Calm account to Nala?
Accounts aren't transferable, but you can start Nala with the 7-day free trial to compare for yourself.
What is the best free alternative to Calm in 2026?
Nala offers the best free content to price ratio: SOS, breathing exercises and sounds without subscription, premium at €49.99/year.
Is Nala suitable for children?
Yes, with Luna (stories from age 3), kids meditations, baby lullabies, and a sound mixer — all designed for families.