Best Breathing Apps
Compared (2026)
We tested the top breathing apps for stress, anxiety, sleep & focus. Here's our honest comparison with pricing, features, and recommendations.
Vayu — Best free breathing app with full smartwatch support
Free • iOS, Android, Apple Watch & Wear OS • HRV biofeedback
Best Breathwork Apps
| App | Price | Free Features | Apple Watch | Wear OS | HRV | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
VayuTop Pick | FreePro optional | Best overall for dedicated breathwork | ||||
Calm | $69.99/year | Best for sleep content & meditation | ||||
Headspace | $69.99/year | Best for meditation beginners | ||||
Breathwrk | $59.99/yearLimited free | Good alternative if Vayu unavailable | ||||
Apple Breathe | FreeApple Watch only | Quick sessions if you only have Apple Watch | ||||
Wim Hof Method | $59.99/yearSome free | Wim Hof technique enthusiasts |
Best Breathing Apps for Relaxation and Stress Relief
Vayu
Editor's ChoicePurpose-built breathing app with HRV biofeedback, customizable patterns, and full smartwatch support. Completely free core features.
Pros
- Completely free core features
- Full Apple Watch & Wear OS apps
- HRV biofeedback tracking
- Customizable breathing patterns
- 10+ breathing techniques
- Haptic breathing guidance
Cons
- Newer app (less content library)
- No sleep stories
Calm
Popular meditation app known for Sleep Stories. Breathing exercises are available but not the primary focus.
Pros
- Excellent Sleep Stories
- Beautiful design
- Large content library
- Celebrity narrators
Cons
- Limited breathing customization
- Expensive subscription required
- No Wear OS support
- Breathing is secondary feature
Headspace
Well-designed meditation app with animated exercises. Includes some breathing content within meditation courses.
Pros
- Excellent animations & design
- Structured meditation courses
- Focus music
- Move exercises
Cons
- Limited standalone breathing
- Expensive subscription
- Breathing buried in app
- No Wear OS support
Breathwrk
Dedicated breathing app with various techniques and programs. Good variety but many features behind paywall.
Pros
- Breathing-focused
- Good variety of techniques
- Goal-based programs
- Clean design
Cons
- Most content requires subscription
- No Wear OS support
- Limited free features
- No HRV tracking
Apple Breathe
Built-in Apple Watch app for basic breathing. Simple but very limited customization options.
Pros
- Pre-installed on Apple Watch
- Simple to use
- Haptic guidance
- Health app integration
Cons
- Apple Watch only
- Very limited patterns
- No techniques explanation
- Minimal customization
Wim Hof Method
Official app for Wim Hof breathing technique. Great for cold exposure enthusiasts, but focused on one specific method.
Pros
- Authentic Wim Hof content
- Retention time tracking
- Cold exposure guides
- Community features
Cons
- One technique focus
- Not for beginners
- Can be intense
- Subscription for full access
Top Breathwork Apps for Wellness Smartphone
We evaluated each breathing app based on real-world usage over several weeks, focusing on:
- Breathing technique variety — Number and quality of available breathing patterns
- Smartwatch experience — Quality of Apple Watch and Wear OS apps
- Free vs paid value — What you get without paying
- Biofeedback features — HRV tracking and physiological feedback
- Ease of use — How quickly you can start a session
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free breathing app?
Vayu is the best free breathing app, offering unlimited guided sessions, Apple Watch and Wear OS support, and HRV biofeedback—all completely free. Unlike Calm or Headspace, there are no paywalls for core breathing features.
Is Calm or Headspace better for breathing exercises?
Both Calm and Headspace are primarily meditation apps that include some breathing exercises. For dedicated breathwork, specialized apps like Vayu or Breathwrk offer more techniques, better customization, and wearable support. Calm costs $69.99/year while Headspace costs $69.99/year.
What breathing app works with Apple Watch?
Vayu, Breathwrk, and the built-in Apple Breathe app all work with Apple Watch. Vayu offers the most comprehensive experience with haptic guidance, HRV tracking, and customizable breathing patterns directly on your wrist.
Are breathing apps worth paying for?
It depends on your needs. Free apps like Vayu offer excellent breathwork features. Paid apps like Calm and Headspace provide broader meditation content. If you only want breathing exercises, a free specialized app is often better than a paid all-in-one app.
Best Breathwork Apps List: Mindfulness Breathwork
Looking for the best breathwork apps that combine mindfulness with breathing exercises? Whether you practice box breathing, pranayama, or 4-7-8 breathing, these apps offer guided sessions to help you build a consistent breathwork routine for better mental health and wellness.
Best Mindfulness and Meditation Apps Comparison
Best Meditation Apps: Try Our Top Pick Free
Vayu is completely free with no hidden paywalls. Get guided breathing sessions on your phone and smartwatch today.
Free forever • iOS, Android, Apple Watch & Wear OS
