Comparison

EMDR Tappers vs Balanced Mind

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

Balanced Mind

Features
Read full description

Feeling stuck on something — a memory, a worry, a knot in your chest that won't loosen? Balanced Mind gives you a five-minute, self-guided EMDR session you can do right now, on your phone, with no appointment and nothing to learn first. Pick what you want to feel calmer about, rate how intense it feels, and follow the moving dot with your eyes. That's it. Most people notice the intensity drop within a session or two, and the app tracks it so you can see the change. EMDR THERAPY Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Psychological Association (APA) as an effective treatment for trauma and emotional distress. Balanced Mind provides self-guided bilateral visual stimulation sessions based on protocols developed by Dr. Francine Shapiro. • Customizable visual stimulation (speed, color, pattern) • Multiple session modes and durations • Session history with progress tracking • Built-in safety timers and session reminders BINAURAL TONE THERAPY Stereo audio tones designed to support different mental states. Choose from five research-backed frequency presets: • Delta (0.5–4 Hz) — Deep relaxation & sleep • Theta (4–8 Hz) — Meditation & creativity • Alpha (8–14 Hz) — Calm focus & stress relief • Beta (14–30 Hz) — Alertness & concentration • Gamma (30–100 Hz) — Peak cognitive performance Requires stereo headphones for full effectiveness. ENCRYPTED JOURNALING Process your thoughts with a private, encrypted journal. Your entries are encrypted on your device before they ever leave it — not even we can read them. • End-to-end encryption (AES-256) • Mood tracking alongside journal entries • Search and revisit past reflections • Export your data anytime PROGRESS & INSIGHTS Track your wellness journey over time with clear, meaningful analytics. • Session frequency and duration trends • Mood patterns and emotional insights • Weekly and monthly progress summaries • Data export for sharing with your therapist PRIVACY FIRST Your mental health data deserves the highest level of protection. • End-to-end encrypted journals — only you can read them • No selling of personal data, ever • GDPR-compliant data export and account deletion • Minimal data collection — we track product analytics, not you BUILT WITH RESEARCH Every therapeutic feature in Balanced Mind is grounded in peer-reviewed research. The app includes a full citations page so you can explore the science behind EMDR and binaural therapy. CRISIS SUPPORT If you or someone you know is in crisis, the app provides immediate access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and other mental health resources. IMPORTANT: Balanced Mind is a self-guided wellness tool and is NOT a replacement for professional therapy. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please contact 988 or your local emergency services. EARLY ACCESS Balanced Mind is in Early Access: every feature — unlimited EMDR sessions, binaural therapy, encrypted journaling and progress tracking — is free, with no card required. Paid plans will come later and early members will hear about them first.

Screenshots

EMDR Tappers4 screens
Balanced Mind4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: EMDR Tappers at 13.2 against Balanced Mind's 15.1. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. EMDR Tappers sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Balanced Mind sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
EMDR Tappers versus Balanced Mind: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMDR TappersBalanced Mind
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (1.7K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.7K — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.2 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size229 MB59 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperBilateral MindChristopher Jerome Kiklas

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
6 purchases

Balanced Mind

Subscriptions6
  • Basic Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$29.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Basic Annual$69.991 Year
  • Preium Annual$129.991 Year
  • Pro Annual$199.991 Year

Questions

Is EMDR Tappers free?
EMDR Tappers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Balanced Mind free?
Balanced Mind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do EMDR Tappers or Balanced Mind have ads?
Neither EMDR Tappers nor Balanced Mind shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMDR Tappers or Balanced Mind?
EMDR Tappers ships an update weekly, and Balanced Mind weekly. Most recently, EMDR Tappers was updated on October 29, 2026 and Balanced Mind on October 24, 2026.

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