Comparison

EMDR Tappers vs self EMDR

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

Head to head
About

EMDR Tappers

This app provides bilateral stimulation therapy to help manage stress and anxiety. It replicates EMDR therapy using on-screen animations, vibrations, and sounds, accessible with just a phone or smartwatch. Users can customize stimuli and access positive affirmations for mental well-being.

Highlights
  • Bilateral stimulation replication
  • Customizable animations, vibrations, and sounds
  • Positive affirmations integration
  • Use with iPhone and Apple Watch
  • Single or dual phone operation
  • Preset and custom settings (premium)
Features
Read full description

The EMDR Tappers app was designed by researchers, veterans, and licensed eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) professionals to replicate EMDR therapy with only an iPhone and Apple Watch. Users can set the pace of animations, vibrations, and sounds. These stimuli are synchronized to replicate the benefits of EMDR therapy in any setting without the expensive, bulky equipment. Users can also use the app with just a single phone or two phones. All of this for free. No external, annoying ads. The core of EMDR therapy is bilateral stimulation—alternatively stimulating each side of the brain with sounds, lights, and vibrations. EMDR is a scientifically proven method of dealing with stress, anxiety, and other negative psychological conditions. The EMDR Tappers app combines the benefits of bilateral stimulation with positive affirmations. These affirmations are delivered bilaterally to help re-program your brain with healthy thoughts and beliefs. EMDR is a “strongly recommended” technique by the leading veterans' organizations, and the American Psychiatric Association has noted that EMDR is effective for treating PTSD symptoms. The premium version of the app allows users to set the color of the animation, choose the sound, and save custom settings as well as access preset settings. Download the app today to experience the power of bilateral stimulation. Terms of service: https://www.inspirehopecounseling.com/emdr-tappers-terms-of-service

About

self EMDR

This application provides auditory and visual stimulation to aid in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. It is designed to create effects that support the therapeutic process. Users should consult a healthcare professional before use.

Highlights
  • Auditory stimulation effects
  • Visual stimulation effects
  • Supports EMDR therapy process
  • Consultation advisories
  • Health warning resources
Features
Read full description

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. (Ref. *1) It is a therapeutic method that uses bilateral stimulation, often through guided eye movement, sound, or tapping. Self EMDR provides a simple, self-paced visual and audio stimulation tool. You control the movement, speed, appearance, and sound yourself. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = MEDICAL DISCLAIMER This app is not a replacement for professional therapy. Please consult a doctor or therapist before using EMDR-style stimulation, especially if you have trauma symptoms, epilepsy, dissociation, severe anxiety, or other medical or psychological concerns. This app offers a function that creates auditory and visual effects for stimulation. Under certain circumstances, this stimulation may be contraindicated for you. (Ref. *2) Please consultat your doctor/therapist and read our health warning on https://selfemdr.app/intro.html before use. (Ref. *3) In addition, here are some sources you might want to consider: *1 https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_Movement_Desensitization_and_Reprocessing/ *2 https://oxfordre.com/socialwork/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-9780199975839-e-908 *3 https://www.castlecraig.co.uk/therapy/dangers-of-emdr/ 4. https://emdrhealing.com/safe-place-for-your-emdr-session-here-are-some-script-examples/ 5. https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/ 6. https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/ 7. https://www.therapie.de/psyche/info/therapie/emdr/anwendungsgebiete/

Screenshots

EMDR Tappers4 screens
self EMDR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: EMDR Tappers at Free against self EMDR's $2.99. EMDR Tappers also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (1.7K vs 1). self EMDR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (75% vs 51%). On ads and device support 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

EMDR Tappers is free to download; self EMDR costs $2.99 up front. EMDR Tappers sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. self EMDR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EMDR Tappers holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EMDR Tappers has 1.7K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 51% of EMDR Tappers's written reviews are positive against 75% of self EMDR's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EMDR Tappers ships an update weekly, self EMDR every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
EMDR Tappers versus self EMDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMDR Tappersself EMDR
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.8 (1.7K ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews50.7% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.7K — better1
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#200 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS13.2 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size229 MB5 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperBilateral MindChristian Ahrweiler

Customer experience

EMDR Tappers

All ratings1,644 ratings
Positive94.7%
Neutral2.6%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews71 reviews
Positive50.7%
Neutral12.7%
Negative36.6%

self EMDR

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

EMDR Tappers

Subscriptions2
  • Guided Bilateral Stimulation3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Guided Bilateral Stimulation14 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Bilateral Stimulation$9.99
None

self EMDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EMDR Tappers free?
EMDR Tappers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is self EMDR free?
self EMDR costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, EMDR Tappers or self EMDR?
EMDR Tappers is rated higher. EMDR Tappers averages 4.8 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while self EMDR averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do EMDR Tappers or self EMDR have ads?
Neither EMDR Tappers nor self EMDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMDR Tappers or self EMDR?
EMDR Tappers ships an update weekly, and self EMDR every 3 weeks. Most recently, EMDR Tappers was updated on October 29, 2026 and self EMDR on October 4, 2026.

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