# Dr.Stim vs Nerva

The clearest difference is rating: Nerva at 4.7 against Dr.Stim's 1.8. Nerva also leads on ratings volume (15K vs 10) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 weeks). Dr.Stim's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.1). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Nerva sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $99.00 per month. Dr.Stim asks for nothing beyond the download.

Nerva holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nerva has 15K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Dr.Stim ships an update every 4 weeks, Nerva every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dr.Stim | Nerva |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.8 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drstim/id1167405778/reviews) | **[4.7 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nerva-gut-brain-program/id1467398796/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **15K** |
| Positive reviews | 40.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 57 MB | 138 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Chongqing Roblink Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1602774014) | [Mindset Health Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1255073245) |

## What reviewers say

### Dr.Stim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drstim/id1167405778)

Control your medical massage device with this app. Adjust massage settings like position, method, intensity, and time via a Bluetooth connection. Enjoy convenient and effective therapeutic massages.

**Highlights:** Set massage position, Select treatment method, Adjust pain level, Control treatment time, Choose treatment mode, Manage massage intensity, Bluetooth connectivity

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Nerva

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nerva-gut-brain-program/id1467398796)

This app offers a personalized gut-brain therapy program to manage symptoms of IBS, FD, GERD, and other gut-brain disorders. It aims to retrain the nervous system and improve communication between the gut and brain through daily sessions and practical tools.

**Highlights:** Personalized gut-brain therapy program, Daily 15-minute retraining sessions, Flare-up management tools, Long-term symptom maintenance plan, AI-driven personalization, Evidence-based clinical research

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Nerva IBS program (Monthly) | $99.00 | per month |
| Nerva IBS program (3 Month) | $149.00 | per 3 months |
| 30% Off Nerva IBS (3 Month) | $149.00 | per 3 months |
| Nerva Full Access | $199.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Effective for symptom reduction
- 👍 Calming and relaxing sessions
- 💡 Helpful for managing stress and anxiety
- 👍 Positive affirmations and education
- 🚀 Quick improvements seen by some users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔁 Repetitive nature of sessions
- 💰 Expensive subscription cost
- 🔍 Lack of customization options
- 🐛 Technical issues with app functionality

**Reported bugs**

- App getting stuck on certain days
- Difficulty accessing previous sessions
- Inconsistent user experience across devices

**Requested features**

- More variety in guided visualizations
- Ability to skip or replace certain sessions
- Maintenance plan with reduced pricing
- Offline access to recordings


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dr.Stim free?

Dr.Stim is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Nerva free?

Nerva is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Dr.Stim or Nerva?

Nerva is rated higher. Dr.Stim averages 1.8 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Nerva averages 4.7 from 15K ratings.

### Do Dr.Stim or Nerva have ads?

Neither Dr.Stim nor Nerva shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Dr.Stim or Nerva?

Dr.Stim ships an update every 4 weeks, and Nerva every 2 weeks. Most recently, Dr.Stim was updated on October 5, 2026 and Nerva on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*