# Environments vs Open

The clearest difference is price: Open at Free against Environments's $2.99. Open also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (18K vs 229). Environments's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (82% vs 60%). On rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Open is free to download; Environments costs $2.99 up front. Open sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Environments asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Environments against 4.9 for Open. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Open has 18K ratings behind it against 229, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of Environments's written reviews are positive against 60% of Open's.

Environments ships an update every 2 months, Open weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Environments | Open |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.8 (229 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/environments/id1294132065/reviews) | **[4.9 (18K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-breathwork-plus-meditation/id1482725254/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 229 | **18K** |
| Positive reviews | **81.8% of reviews** | 60.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Size | 579 MB | 317 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [The Numero Group](https://appshunter.io/developer/1294132064) | [Open Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1482725253) |

## What reviewers say

### Environments

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/environments/id1294132065)

Experience long-form nature recordings from the 1960s and 70s, remastered for modern use. This app offers a unique collection of ambient sounds designed to aid work, meditation, sleep, and focus, all without requiring an internet connection.

**Highlights:** Long-form analog recordings, No internet connection required, Ad-free experience, Playlist creation, Focus and stress reduction, Historic nature sounds

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 Authentic analog field recordings with exceptional audio quality
- 😴 Highly effective for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
- 🎧 Long-form tracks (30+ minutes) without repetitive looping
- 📚 Rich historical context about Irv Teibel and the Environments series
- 💰 Excellent value at low price point for entire collection

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes on certain iOS versions (iOS 16, older versions)
- 📐 UI not optimized for iPad or landscape mode
- 🔊 Audio output levels set too high, difficult to play quietly
- 🖼️ Cannot zoom in on album cover artwork
- 📍 Navigation could be simplified and improved

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes immediately after pressing play on iOS 16
- App removed from App Store after purchase, preventing re-download
- Dynamic Island spacing issues on iPhone 14 Pro
- Infinite loop button doesn't function properly
- Audio doesn't resume after phone calls or text notifications

**Requested features**

- Speed adjustment controls (16 rpm, 33 rpm, 78 rpm options)
- Chromecast and Google Cast support
- Alarm clock functionality using app sounds
- Landscape mode support for iPad
- Zoom capability for album cover artwork


### Open

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/open-breathwork-plus-meditation/id1482725254)

Discover breathwork, meditation, and movement techniques designed by experts to regulate your nervous system and foster personal growth. Access an extensive library of classes for all levels, track your progress, and build a consistent practice for improved mental and physical well-being.

**Highlights:** Expert-designed breathwork techniques, Daily guided meditations, Mindful movement classes, Progress tracking and reminders, Extensive library of on-demand classes, Personalized practice building

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $149.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Life changing
- 🤗 Transformative experience
- 🌟 High-quality classes
- 💫 Beautiful app design
- 🙌 Supportive community

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 💰 Expensive subscription cost
- 🐛 App crashes and glitches
- 🤔 Limited free content
- 📞 Poor customer service

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription not showing in Apple account
- Inability to cancel subscription
- Unexpected charges after cancellation

**Requested features**

- Offline mode for classes
- More free content options
- Apple Watch app integration
- Better search and discovery
- Progress tracking and analytics


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Environments free?

Environments costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Open free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Environments or Open?

Open is rated higher. Environments averages 4.8 out of 5 from 229 ratings, while Open averages 4.9 from 18K ratings.

### Do Environments or Open have ads?

Neither Environments nor Open shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Environments or Open?

Environments ships an update every 2 months, and Open weekly. Most recently, Environments was updated on November 6, 2026 and Open on November 8, 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.*