Vayu vs Calm
Which is Better?
An honest, feature-by-feature comparison of Vayu and Calm for breathing exercises. We'll help you choose the right app for your needs.
You want dedicated breathwork, smartwatch support, HRV tracking, and want to save $10/year
You want sleep stories, extensive meditation content, and don't mind paying $69.99/year
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Vayu | Calm |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $8.99/mo | $14.99/mo |
| Annual Price | $59.99/yr | $69.99/yr |
| Breathing Techniques | 10+ | 5-6 |
| Custom Patterns | ||
| Apple Watch App | ||
| Wear OS App | ||
| HRV Biofeedback | ||
| Haptic Guidance | ||
| Sleep Stories | ||
| Meditation Library | Basic | Extensive |
| Offline Mode | ||
| Progress Tracking |
Best Mindfulness and Meditation Apps Comparison
💰 Pricing: Vayu Wins
The biggest difference is price. Calm costs $69.99/year ($14.99/month) for full access. Without a subscription, Calm offers very limited content.
Vayu costs $59.99/year ($8.99/month) with a 7-day free trial. That's $10/year cheaper than Calm, and includes more breathing techniques with full smartwatch support.
🌬️ Breathing Features: Vayu Wins
Vayu is purpose-built for breathwork with 10+ techniques, fully customizable patterns, and advanced features like HRV biofeedback.
Calm treats breathing as a secondary feature within its broader meditation ecosystem. You get basic breathing exercises, but limited customization and no biofeedback.
⌚ Smartwatch Support: Vayu Wins
Vayu offers full standalone apps for both Apple Watch and Wear OS with haptic breathing guidance and HRV tracking.
Calm only supports Apple Watch and has no Wear OS app at all. If you use an Android smartwatch, Calm isn't an option.
🧘 Meditation & Sleep Content: Calm Wins
If you want Sleep Stories, extensive meditation courses, and celebrity narrators, Calm is the clear winner. It has years of content from well-known voices like Matthew McConaughey and LeBron James.
Vayu focuses purely on breathing. If you want a broader mindfulness platform with stories and guided meditations, Calm offers more (for a price).
Our Verdict
For dedicated breathwork, choose Vayu. It's $10/year cheaper, has more breathing features, works on all smartwatches, and includes HRV biofeedback.
For a broader mindfulness platform, consider Calm. If you value Sleep Stories, celebrity narrators, and extensive meditation content—and don't mind paying $69.99/year—Calm delivers a polished experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vayu better than Calm for breathing exercises?
For dedicated breathwork, Vayu is better. It offers more breathing techniques, customizable patterns, Wear OS support, and HRV biofeedback at $59.99/year (with 7-day free trial). Calm is better if you want sleep stories and general meditation content alongside breathing exercises, but costs $69.99/year.
Is Vayu cheaper than Calm?
Yes, Vayu is more affordable than Calm for breathing exercises. Vayu costs $59.99/year (with a 7-day free trial), while Calm costs $69.99/year. Vayu includes Apple Watch and Wear OS apps with all breathing features.
Does Calm work on Wear OS?
No, Calm does not have a Wear OS app. Calm only supports Apple Watch. If you have an Android smartwatch, Vayu is a better choice as it offers a full Wear OS breathing app with haptic guidance.
How much does Calm cost vs Vayu?
Calm costs $69.99 per year ($14.99/month) for full access. Vayu costs $59.99/year ($8.99/month) with a 7-day free trial. Vayu is $10/year cheaper and includes more breathing techniques with smartwatch support.
Best Meditation Apps: More Comparisons
Best Breathing Apps for Relaxation and Stress Relief
Get all the breathing features you need for $10/year less than Calm. Start with a 7-day free trial.
Start 7-Day Free Trial$59.99/year after trial • iOS, Android, Apple Watch & Wear OS
