In today’s fast-paced world, anxiety and stress have become unwelcome companions for many of us. The good news is that help is literally at your fingertips. Mental health apps have revolutionized how we manage our emotional wellbeing, offering accessible support whenever and wherever you need it.
Whether you’re dealing with occasional stress, persistent anxiety, or simply looking to improve your overall mental wellness, there’s an app designed to help. These digital tools offer everything from guided meditation and breathing exercises to mood tracking and professional therapy sessions.
Based on expert recommendations, user reviews, and scientific backing, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the 15 best mental health apps in 2025 to help you find calm, build resilience, and take control of your anxiety.
Why Use Mental Health Apps?
Before diving into our recommendations, let’s understand why mental health apps have become so popular:
- Accessibility: Available 24/7, providing support whenever anxiety strikes
- Affordability: Many offer free features or cost less than traditional therapy
- Privacy: Practice self-care discreetly without the stigma sometimes associated with seeking help
- Convenience: Practice mindfulness and stress-reduction techniques anywhere
- Consistency: Regular reminders and tracking features help maintain mental health routines
- Complementary Care: Can work alongside professional treatment for enhanced results
While these apps shouldn’t replace professional help for severe anxiety disorders, they provide valuable tools for daily mental wellness management and can serve as an excellent first step toward better mental health.
Top 15 Mental Health Apps for Anxiety and Stress Relief
1. Calm
Best for: Sleep issues and general anxiety relief
Calm has established itself as a leader in the meditation and sleep space. The app offers:
- Guided meditations ranging from 3 to 25 minutes
- Sleep Stories narrated by celebrities like Matthew McConaughey and Stephen Fry
- Breathing exercises for quick anxiety relief
- Masterclasses taught by mindfulness experts
- Daily Calm sessions for consistent practice
What makes Calm stand out is its beautiful nature scenes and sounds that create an immersive relaxation experience. Users particularly praise the Sleep Stories feature, which has helped many overcome insomnia related to anxiety.
Price: Free basic features; Premium subscription starts at $69.99/year with a 7-day free trial
2. Headspace
Best for: Beginners to meditation and mindfulness
Headspace takes a friendly, accessible approach to meditation with:
- “Basics” courses to teach fundamental mindfulness techniques
- Themed sessions for specific concerns like work stress or social anxiety
- SOS exercises for panic moments
- Moving meditations for active stress relief
- Focus music and soundscapes to enhance concentration
The app’s cheerful animations and guided approach make meditation less intimidating for newcomers. Many users report significant anxiety reduction after just a few weeks of consistent use.
Price: Limited free content; subscription costs $69.99/year with a 14-day free trial
3. Woebot
Best for: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques
Woebot is an AI chatbot designed by psychologists from Stanford University that uses CBT principles to help manage anxiety and depression:
- Daily check-ins to monitor mood patterns
- Personalized conversations based on your responses
- Evidence-based CBT tools and exercises
- Crisis detection with appropriate resource recommendations
- Educational content about mental health
Users appreciate Woebot’s conversational style, which makes therapeutic techniques feel more like chatting with a supportive friend than doing clinical exercises.
Price: Free
4. Youper
Best for: Personalized emotional health insights
Youper combines AI technology with evidence-based techniques including CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness:
- Quick emotional check-ins throughout the day
- Personalized insights about your mood patterns
- Guided mindfulness and meditation exercises
- Journal prompts for self-reflection
- Progress tracking with visual reports
The app’s strength lies in its ability to help users identify emotional triggers and patterns, making it easier to address the root causes of anxiety.
Price: Free basic version; premium features available through subscription at $69.99/year
5. Insight Timer
Best for: Variety of meditation options and community support
With the largest free library of guided meditations, Insight Timer offers:
- Over 130,000 free guided meditations from various traditions
- Live meditation sessions with teachers worldwide
- Discussion groups for community support
- Timer feature for self-guided meditation
- Courses on anxiety management, self-compassion, and more
The app’s community features set it apart, helping users feel connected to others on similar mental health journeys.
Price: Extensive free content; optional premium subscription at $59.99/year
6. MindShift CBT
Best for: Teen and young adult anxiety
Developed by Anxiety Canada, MindShift CBT specifically targets anxiety using proven CBT strategies:
- Thought journals to challenge anxious thinking
- Coping cards for quick anxiety relief
- Comfort zone challenges to gradually face fears
- Symptom tracking and progress monitoring
- Specific tools for social anxiety, perfectionism, and panic
The app’s focus on helping users gradually face fears rather than avoid them makes it particularly effective for long-term anxiety management.
Price: Free
7. Sanvello
Best for: Comprehensive anxiety and depression management
Formerly known as Pacifica, Sanvello offers a holistic approach to mental health:
- Daily mood tracking with analysis of patterns
- Guided journeys based on your specific challenges
- Cognitive and behavioral techniques for anxiety
- Guided meditation and deep breathing exercises
- Peer support communities moderated by professionals
Many users appreciate that Sanvello is accepted by many insurance providers, making premium features more accessible.
Price: Free basic tools; premium subscription at $8.99/month or covered by many insurance plans
8. Talkspace
Best for: Professional therapy access
Talkspace connects users with licensed therapists for more personalized anxiety support:
- Messaging therapy (text, audio, and video)
- Live video sessions with therapists
- Guided exercises between therapy sessions
- Progress tracking tools
- Psychiatric services including medication management
For those with moderate to severe anxiety, having professional support through an app can be a game-changer, especially when in-person therapy isn’t accessible.
Price: Subscription plans range from $69-$129 weekly; often partially covered by insurance
9. Happify
Best for: Science-based positive psychology activities
Happify focuses on building resilience and positive thinking habits through:
- Game-like activities based on positive psychology principles
- Tracks tailored to specific goals like conquering negative thoughts
- Quick daily tasks to build mental strength
- Community challenges and support
- Progress tracking with science-based assessments
The app’s playful approach makes working on anxiety feel less clinical and more engaging.
Price: Basic features free; premium access at $14.99/month
10. Breathwrk
Best for: Breathing techniques for immediate anxiety relief
Breathwrk specializes in science-backed breathing exercises for various needs:
- Quick SOS breathwork for panic attacks
- Energy-boosting breathing for morning anxiety
- Calming exercises for bedtime worry
- Performance breathing for stressful situations
- Guided sessions ranging from 1 to 10 minutes
Users praise how quickly these breathing techniques can shift the body’s stress response, making it an excellent tool for immediate anxiety management.
Price: Free basic exercises; premium version at $7.99/month
11. What’s Up
Best for: Comprehensive CBT and ACT methods on a budget
What’s Up combines multiple therapeutic approaches in a simple interface:
- Thought diary for challenging negative thinking
- Grounding techniques for panic and anxiety
- Habit tracker for building positive routines
- Metaphors and information about mental health concepts
- Uplifting quotes and forums for community support
The app’s comprehensive approach without subscription fees makes it a favorite for users seeking value.
Price: Free with one-time $5.99 upgrade for additional features
12. Ten Percent Happier
Best for: Skeptics and meditation beginners
Created by Dan Harris after his on-air panic attack, this app offers:
- No-nonsense approach to meditation
- Courses taught by respected meditation teachers
- Content specifically designed for anxiety and stress
- Sleep-focused meditations
- Daily features to build consistent practice
The straightforward, science-based approach appeals to those who might be put off by more spiritual meditation apps.
Price: Limited free content; full access at $99.99/year
13. Worry Watch
Best for: Anxiety pattern recognition
Worry Watch helps users identify anxiety patterns through:
- Journal entries for anxious thoughts and outcomes
- Pattern analysis of worry vs. reality
- Visual charts showing anxiety triggers
- Customizable reminder system
- Password protection for privacy
By comparing anxious predictions with actual outcomes, users often discover their worries are more catastrophic than reality, helping to reduce future anxiety.
Price: One-time purchase of $4.99
14. Moodfit
Best for: All-around mental fitness
Moodfit provides tools to boost overall mental wellbeing:
- Daily mood tracking and analysis
- Customized “fitness” plan for your mental health
- Gratitude journal and cognitive reframing exercises
- Breathing and mindfulness tools
- Sleep, exercise, and nutrition tracking
The app’s comprehensive approach addresses all lifestyle factors that impact anxiety, not just psychological techniques.
Price: Free with optional premium features at $8.99/month
15. Rootd
Best for: Panic attack relief
Specifically designed for panic disorder and anxiety, Rootd offers:
- Panic button with immediate relief exercises
- Guided breathing and visualization tools
- Journal for tracking panic triggers
- Lessons about anxiety and panic physiology
- Short-term and long-term relief features
Users with panic disorder particularly value the emergency button feature that walks them through panic attacks step by step.
Price: Free basic version; premium at $6.99/month
How to Choose the Right Mental Health App
With so many options available, finding the right app depends on your specific needs:
- For immediate relief: Choose apps with quick exercises like Breathwrk or Rootd
- For daily maintenance: Meditation apps like Calm, Headspace, or Insight Timer
- For understanding patterns: Tracking apps like Youper, Worry Watch, or Sanvello
- For therapeutic techniques: CBT-focused apps like Woebot, MindShift, or What’s Up
- For professional guidance: Talkspace or other therapy-connected services
Consider trying several free versions before committing to a subscription. Many offer trial periods that allow you to experience the full range of features.
Best Practices for Using Mental Health Apps
To get the most benefit from these tools:
- Be consistent – Set aside specific times each day for app exercises
- Start small – Begin with 5-minute sessions and gradually increase duration
- Set notifications – Use reminders to maintain your practice
- Track progress – Regularly review your data to stay motivated
- Combine approaches – Use different apps for different needs
- Be patient – Mental health improvements take time and consistent effort
- Seek additional help – If your anxiety is severe, use these apps alongside professional treatment
When to Seek Professional Help
While mental health apps provide valuable tools for managing anxiety, they’re not substitutes for professional treatment in all cases. Consider seeking professional help if:
- Your anxiety interferes with daily functioning
- You experience frequent panic attacks
- You’ve developed unhealthy coping mechanisms
- You have thoughts of harming yourself
- You’ve tried self-help approaches without improvement
Many mental health professionals now incorporate app usage into treatment plans, so discussing your favorite apps with your provider can help integrate all your wellness efforts.
Conclusion
Mental health apps have transformed how we approach anxiety and stress management, making support more accessible, affordable, and convenient than ever before. Whether you’re looking for in-the-moment relief, daily mindfulness practice, or deeper therapeutic techniques, there’s an app designed to help.
Remember that managing anxiety is a journey, not a destination. These digital tools can be powerful allies along the way, helping you build resilience and develop healthier responses to stress. By incorporating these apps into your daily routine, you’re taking a proactive step toward better mental health.
Have you tried any of these apps for managing anxiety? Which ones have worked best for you? Share your experiences in the comments below to help others find the right digital support for their mental wellness journey.
Disclaimer: While these apps can be valuable tools for mental health management, they are not substitutes for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any questions about a medical condition.