I spent 90 days and $180 testing every popular anxiety app to answer one question: which ones actually help during anxious moments—and which are just marketing hype?
Here's my honest review of 12 anxiety apps, with specific recommendations based on what type of anxiety YOU experience.
Testing Methodology
I used each app for at least 7 days, tracking my anxiety levels throughout (1-10 scale). I evaluated based on:
- Ease of use during panic: Can I actually use this when anxious, or does it require too much mental energy?
- Effectiveness: Does it measurably reduce my anxiety?
- Cost vs. value: Is the subscription worth it?
- Privacy: What data do they collect?
- Sustainability: Can I see myself using this long-term?
The Reviews
1. Lifelight - Best Overall for Comprehensive Anxiety Management ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost: $15/month
What it does: AI companion + mood tracking + journaling + pattern recognition
My experience: This was the only app I genuinely wanted to open during anxious moments. The AI companion feels like talking to an understanding friend, not a chatbot. I'd write "I'm freaking out about this presentation" and get thoughtful, personalized responses that addressed MY specific situation.
The automatic mood detection was crucial—on high-anxiety days when I couldn't even handle typing, it still tracked my patterns. The visual mood calendar revealed that my anxiety spikes before my period (never noticed this before). Photo journaling helped me remember "anxiety lied about this meeting being terrible."
Standout features: AI weekly letters synthesized patterns I'd missed. One week it noted: "You feel most anxious on Sundays after 6 PM"—which made me realize Sunday night dread was sabotaging my entire week.
Works best for: People who need both tracking AND real-time support, high-functioning anxiety, pattern-seekers
Limitations: AI conversations limited on free plan, premium subscription required for full value
Verdict: Worth the cost if you want one app that covers multiple anxiety needs. The AI companion alone is worth $15—the tracking is bonus.
2. Headspace - Best for Anxiety Meditation ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost: $70/year
What it does: Guided meditations, sleep content, focus music
Works best for: Structured relaxation, not real-time panic. The anxiety course is excellent for building long-term skills.
Limitations: No personalization, feels generic after a while, requires time commitment (10-20 minutes)
Verdict: Good for prevention and building meditation habit, not helpful during acute anxiety.
3. Calm - Good for Sleep Anxiety ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost: $70/year
What it does: Sleep stories, breathing exercises, meditation library
Works best for: Bedtime anxiety. Matthew McConaughey reading sleep stories genuinely helped me fall asleep on anxious nights.
Limitations: Expensive, content feels repetitive, not helpful during daytime panic
Verdict: If your main anxiety issue is sleep, this helps. Otherwise, skip it.
4. Rootd - Best Panic Button App ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost: Free core features
What it does: Specifically designed for panic attacks with "panic button" for immediate exercises
Works best for: Acute panic attacks. The panic button provides immediate grounding exercises when you're spiraling.
Limitations: One-trick pony—doesn't address underlying anxiety patterns or provide tracking
Verdict: Essential if you have panic attacks, but pair it with a tracking app.
5. Sanvello - Good But Overwhelming ⭐⭐⭐
Cost: Free version very limited, premium $9/month
What it does: Mood tracking + CBT + meditation + therapy connection
The problem: Too many features created decision fatigue. When anxious, the last thing I needed was choosing between 6 different tools.
Verdict: "If anxiety makes decisions hard, this app has too many options."
6. Woebot - AI Chatbot Falls Flat ⭐⭐
Cost: Free
What it does: AI mental health chatbot
Why it failed: Felt scripted and repetitive quickly. "How are you feeling?" → limited responses → same advice loop. Like the worst corporate training chatbot applied to mental health.
Verdict: Free but feels cheap. Lifelight's AI is light-years ahead in natural conversation.
7. Mindshift - Best Free App ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cost: Completely free (Canada-based)
What it does: Evidence-based CBT tools for specific anxiety types (social, perfectionism, worry)
Works best for: If you want free and effective tools without tracking or personalization
Verdict: If you're on a budget, this wins. Add Lifelight for tracking once you can afford it.
Final Recommendations by Use Case
If you only get one app: Lifelight (comprehensive + effective)
If you're on a budget: Mindshift (free and evidence-based)
If you only have panic attacks: Rootd (panic button feature) + Lifelight (tracking patterns)
If you want meditation: Headspace (best library and quality)
If sleep is your main issue: Calm (sleep stories work)
What I Learned
- No app replaces therapy, but some genuinely help between sessions
- AI conversation quality varies WILDLY (Lifelight > Wysa > Woebot)
- Pattern tracking is more valuable than real-time relief tools alone
- Free apps often better than expensive ones with weak features
- Subscription fatigue is real—choose 1-2 apps max
Start with one app that fits your primary need. Use it consistently for 30 days. Track whether your anxiety actually improves. Then decide if it's worth continuing or trying something else.
Your anxiety toolkit is personal. What works for me might not work for you—but these reviews can help you find YOUR solution faster.
