Comparison

Nerva vs IBS Buddy

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Nerva

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
Read full description

Fix the miscommunication between your gut and brain. Designed for people living with IBS, functional dyspepsia (FD), GERD, bloating symptoms, and other gut–brain disorders - as well as those seeking additional support alongside IBD care - Nerva is a personalized gut–brain program that supports symptom management through daily sessions, practical tools, and structured guidance. Target the root cause Many people spend years cutting out foods in an effort to calm their gut - a difficult path that can miss what’s really driving symptoms. In disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBIs), the root cause is gut–brain hypersensitivity. After a trigger like illness, antibiotics, or prolonged stress, the nerves in the gut can become over-reactive. Even once the gut tissue heals, the nervous system may keep the alarm turned up. Normal digestion, gas, or movement are then misread as danger - leading to pain, bloating, reflux, urgency, constipation, or diarrhea. Diets and medications can reduce symptoms temporarily, but they don’t retrain this signaling system. That’s why symptoms often return or shift over time. Lasting relief means calming the nervous system and restoring healthy gut–brain communication - where the symptoms actually start. How Nerva helps Nerva is a structured gut–brain program that helps you practice brain-gut techniques shown to support a calmer response to gut sensations. Over the program you'll learn to: - Respond differently to uncomfortable gut signals - Practice calming the gut–brain stress response - Build daily habits that support digestive comfort Tailored to you No two guts are the same. Nerva adapts your program to your symptoms, triggers, and progress - using AI to adjust the coaching and guidance as you go. The sessions, the tools you receive, and the coaching you follow are all shaped around your experience. Evidence-based Unlike most apps, Nerva is built on clinical research. In a randomized controlled trial at Monash University, Nerva helped 81% of people significantly manage their gastrointestinal symptoms. Since then, more than 300,000 people have used Nerva, and over 11,000 healthcare providers recommend it. Features of Nerva - Daily 15-minute sessions designed to retrain gut-brain miscommunication - Flare-up tools for pain, bloating, constipation, reflux and diarrhea - Long-term maintenance plan to keep symptoms under control after the program - AI personalization to tailor the program to your selected triggers and progress Who is the team behind Nerva? Nerva was built by Dr. Simone Peters, GI psychophysiologist, together with clinicians, dietitians, and researchers. Many of us live with gut conditions ourselves. Member stories “Nerva has really worked for me. I’ve been using the app for several months now, and I’ve noticed that I’m experiencing less negative instances with my stomach. I would highly recommend to anyone - absolutely worth the subscription” Disclaimer: Nerva is a self-guided program that may help people self-manage and live well with a diagnosed disorder of the gut-brain interaction. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment, and has not been evaluated by the FDA, TGA, MHRA, or equivalent bodies. Do not change prescribed medication or treatment without professional advice. Some content is personalized or generated by AI for educational and wellness purposes only. It is not therapy or mental health care, is not from a licensed professional, and is not monitored in real time. If you are in distress or thinking of harming yourself or others, call your local emergency number right away. Subscription and trial 7-day free trial After the trial, your account is charged according to the plan you choose Subscriptions renew until cancelled Cancel anytime in iOS Settings, Apple ID, Subscriptions Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.mindsethealth.com/privacy

About

IBS Buddy

Features
Read full description

IBS Buddy is a free, science-backed app designed to help people find lasting IBS relief using gut-directed hypnotherapy, a clinically proven approach for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The gut-brain connection affects IBS. Stress, anxiety, and nervous system dysregulation can directly trigger symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhoea, and discomfort. IBS Buddy works by retraining this gut–brain pathway using structured hypnotherapy techniques shown to reduce IBS symptoms over time. A proven 14-week IBS program IBS Buddy follows a 14-week gut-directed hypnotherapy program based on the North Carolina (NC) protocol, one of the most widely researched and scientifically validated approaches for IBS management. This protocol has been studied in clinical settings and shown to help improve: • Abdominal pain and cramps • Bloating and gut discomfort • Diarrhoea and constipation • Stress-related IBS flare-ups • Overall quality of life in IBS patients The program is progressive, structured, and designed for long-term symptom relief—not short-term fixes. How does gut-directed hypnotherapy helps IBS? Gut-directed hypnotherapy focuses on calming the nervous system and improving communication between the brain and the digestive system. By reducing gut sensitivity and stress responses, many people experience fewer IBS symptoms and better digestive control. IBS Buddy guides you through this process with: • Clinically structured hypnotherapy sessions • Simple, easy-to-follow audio guidance • A gradual 14-week program designed for consistency • Tools to support relaxation and gut calm No prior experience with hypnotherapy is needed. Free IBS relief — no subscriptions Unlike many IBS apps, IBS Buddy is completely free. There are no subscriptions, paywalls, or hidden charges. The goal is to make evidence-based IBS relief accessible to everyone living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Who IBS Buddy is for • IBS Buddy is suitable for people who: • Have been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) • Experience chronic gut symptoms triggered by stress • Are looking for a non-drug, science-backed approach • Want a structured program rather than generic advice • Prefer guided, evidence-based gut therapy Not medical advice IBS Buddy is designed to support IBS symptom management and gut health. It does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical concerns. Start your IBS relief journey If you’re looking for a clinically proven, gut-focused approach to managing IBS, IBS Buddy offers a simple, structured, and free way to begin. Download IBS Buddy and start calming your gut—one session at a time.

Screenshots

Nerva4 screens
IBS Buddy3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: IBS Buddy at none against Nerva's 4. Nerva's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Nerva sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $43.99 per month. IBS Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nerva ships an update weekly, IBS Buddy every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Nerva versus IBS Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNervaIBS Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (15K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews72.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings15K — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size134 MB59 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperMindset Health Pty LtdMCreative Services LLP

Bugs and requests

Nerva

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App getting stuck on certain days
  • Difficulty accessing previous sessions
  • Inconsistent user experience across devices

Requested features

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

IBS Buddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Nerva

Subscriptions4
  • Nerva IBS program (Monthly)7 Days trial$43.991 Month
  • 30% Off Nerva IBS (3 Month)7 Days trial$60.993 Months
  • Nerva IBS program (3 Month)7 Days trial$78.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Nerva Full Access7 Days trial$199.001 Year
None

IBS Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Nerva free?
Nerva is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is IBS Buddy free?
IBS Buddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Nerva or IBS Buddy have ads?
Neither Nerva nor IBS Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nerva or IBS Buddy?
Nerva ships an update weekly, and IBS Buddy every 2 months. Most recently, Nerva was updated on September 28, 2026 and IBS Buddy on September 8, 2026.

Other comparisons