Nerva vs Zena
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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Address 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
Zena
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More than just a workout tracker, Zena is personalised strength coaching for women who want to get stronger — without having to figure everything out themselves. Starting from scratch? Let Zena build a personalised program around your goals, experience, schedule and equipment. Already have a training plan from your coach, ChatGPT or your own spreadsheet? Import it into Zena and track your progress properly. **RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHEN TO INCREASE YOUR WEIGHTS, AND WHEN TO HOLD STEADY OR DROP BACK** Zena doesn't just log your workouts. It pays attention to how you're performing and helps you progress your training over time. Hit the top of your rep range? Zena can recommend when it's time to go heavier. Struggling with a weight? Hold steady. Making progress? You'll actually be able to see it. You get the recommendation and the reasoning behind it, but you're always in control so you can easily adapt each workout to how you are feeling on the day. **TRAIN SMARTER, NOT JUST HARDER** Connect Apple Health for a daily readiness score based on signals like sleep, HRV, resting heart rate and recent training. Zena helps you understand when you're recovered and ready to push, and when taking it easier might be the smarter choice. **BUILT AROUND YOU** Your goals. Your equipment. Your schedule. Your training history. Zena can generate a personalised strength program from scratch or adapt your existing training as things change. Optional cycle-aware insights can add extra context to your recovery and performance, too. **SEE YOURSELF GET STRONGER** Track your workouts, weights, reps, personal bests and strength trends over time. Set goals for the lifts that matter to you and see the work add up. Whether you're working toward your first pull-up, adding weight to your squat, or simply trying to feel stronger than you did six months ago, Zena helps you know you're moving forward. **FEATURES** • AI-generated strength programs built around your goals, schedule, and equipment • Import and track an existing program from your own coach or trainer • Session-by-session recommendations on load, volume, and intensity • Workout logging with rest timers, RPE tracking, and full set history • Recovery-aware coaching using sleep, heart rate, and HRV (via Apple Health connection) • Optional cycle-aware training guidance • Personal records, strength trends, and consistency tracking • Adapt your program if your equipment changes 14-day free trial, then billed monthly or annually. Cancel anytime. Privacy Policy: https://www.zenastrength.com/privacy Terms and conditions: https://www.zenastrength.com/terms
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is chart position: Nerva at #189 against Zena's unranked. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Nerva sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $99.00 per month and Zena sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Nerva ships an update every 2 weeks, Zena weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Nerva | Zena |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (15K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 72.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 15K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #189 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 138 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mindset Health Pty Ltd | KATRINA ANNE WATSON |
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
Zena
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Nerva
- Nerva IBS program (Monthly)7 Days trial$99.001 Month
- Nerva IBS program (3 Month)7 Days trial$149.003 Months
- 30% Off Nerva IBS (3 Month)7 Days trial$149.003 Months
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- Nerva Full Access7 Days trial$199.001 Year
Zena
- Zena Pro - Monthly (Early Access)14 Days trial$9.991 Month
- Zena Pro - Annual (Early access)14 Days trial$79.991 Year









