You don't need a Premium subscription to enjoy Calm. We offer a variety of free mindfulness tools, meditations, and Sleep Stories to support you.
What free content is available on the Calm app?
Calm gives you hundreds of always-free sessions, including guided and timed meditations, sleep content, and soundscapes designed to help you manage stress, improve sleep, and build mindfulness habits.
For many users, Calm's free tools are a great starting point in their wellness journey. Below is a closer look at what's included and how to find it in the app.
Free content at a glance
- 230+ meditations: Guided and timed sessions for anxiety, focus, stress, and sleep. The sessions are led by over a dozen narrators, including Tamara Levitt, Jay Shetty, and Jeff Warren. If you’re looking for unguided meditations, tap the Discover tab, select Meditation, and scroll to the Less Guidance category.
- 8 free sleep sessions: Sleep Stories and sleep audio, including the fan-favorite Blue Gold.
- Day 1 of all programs: Listen to the first session of any multi-day meditation program, such as 7 Days of Focus or 21 Days of Calm.
- A free Daily Calm preview: Sample Calm’s flagship daily meditation series.
- The Breathe Bubble: Try this guided breathing tool anytime you need to relax.
- Background scenes: Choose from nature sounds and ambient music to play while you meditate or sleep. Tap the Mountain icon in the top left corner of the Home screen to switch your Scene.
How to spot free vs. Premium content
As you browse the app, you'll notice a small padlock icon next to certain content. This means you’ll need a Premium subscription to access it. If there’s no padlock, it's free to listen to.
Free vs. Premium: a quick comparison
| Feature | Free | Premium unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| Guided meditations | 230+ free meditations | Hundreds more, organized by topic and skill level |
| Sleep Stories | 8 Sleep Stories, including Blue Gold narrated by Stephen Fry | The full Sleep Story library, including celebrity narrators like Matthew McConaughey, Harry Styles, and Cynthia Erivo |
| Dailies content | A free Daily Calm preview | Every day, a new Daily Calm with Tamara Levitt, Daily Trip with Jeff Warren, Daily Jay with Jay Shetty, and Daily Move with Mel Mah |
| Music and Soundscapes | Free background Scenes and Soundscapes | The full music catalog, including sleep remixes |
| Breathing | The Breathe Bubble | The complete set of guided breathing exercises |
| Body and Movement | Sample sessions | The full Calm Body and Movement library |
3 ways to get Calm Premium for free
Want the full Premium catalog without paying full price? Here are 3 ways to get it:
- Check your employer’s benefits: Many employers offer Calm Premium for free through their wellness program or Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Check your health insurance: Some health insurance plans include Calm at no cost.
- Use FSA or HSA funds: A Calm subscription may be eligible for FSA or HSA reimbursement. To file a claim, you'll usually need a receipt to submit to your plan administrator. If you subscribed through Calm directly, your payment confirmation will work. If you subscribed through Apple or Google, you can request a receipt from them instead.
What happens after the Calm free trial ends?
If you complete a 7-day free trial and decide not to continue with a paid subscription, don't worry — you won't lose your free options, and you won't be charged as long as you cancel before the trial ends.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Calm app free?
Yes, Calm is free to download, and the free version includes hundreds of sessions. No subscription is required to get started.
What’s the difference between free and Premium content on Calm?
The free content gives you a sneak peek of the different meditations, Sleep Stories, and music. The Premium tier unlocks the full library: every program, the Sleep Story collection, and the music catalog.
How can I use Calm at no cost?
If you'd prefer not to pay, you can still access plenty of free content on the Calm app. You may also be able to get Premium for free through an employer, a health plan, or your FSA or HSA funds.