Comparison

Expand vs Coherence

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

Head to head
About

Expand

Access profound states of expanded awareness with guided meditations and proprietary sound science. Explore topics like relaxation, joy, insight, and sleep to foster meaning, relieve stress, and release unwanted patterns. Discover inner wisdom and joy through active imagination and perception.

Highlights
  • 100+ guided meditations
  • Monroe Sound Science audio technology
  • Multi-day mini-courses
  • Guided reflection and journaling
  • Custom-generated soundscapes
  • Focus on active imagination and perception
Features
Read full description

From the world-renowned Monroe Institute, Expand helps you access deeper states of awareness to reduce stress, improve sleep, and cultivate greater meaning, clarity, and purpose. Powered by Monroe Sound Science, our proprietary audio technology, Expand uses targeted soundwave patterns to support unique states of consciousness and focused inner exploration. Through guided sessions, courses, and immersive sound experiences, you can uncover insight, release unwanted patterns, and reconnect with your inner wisdom. Inside Expand, you’ll find: • 100+ guided meditations and consciousness-expanding exercises • Multi-day mini-courses and structured practice paths • Guided reflection and journaling tools • Custom-generated soundscapes designed for specific brainwave states • Programs for both beginners and experienced practitioners Explore sessions across topics including: • Relaxation & Healing • Joy & Meaning • Insight & Intuition • Sleep & Dreaming • Healthy Relationships • Creativity & Manifestation • Beyond the Physical Unlike typical meditation apps focused only on clearing the mind, Expand encourages active imagination, perception, and intentional practice to help you achieve specific outcomes. About The Monroe Institute The Monroe Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a global leader in the study and practice of expanded consciousness. Founded in the early 1970s as a research and educational organization, Monroe offers transformative learning through the Expand app, virtual programs, and in-person retreats on its 300-acre Virginia campus and in countries worldwide. Subscription Pricing and Terms Expand offers auto-renewing subscription options: • $69.99/year • $11.99/month Payment is charged to your App Store account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged within 24 hours prior to renewal. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Terms of Service: https://info.monroeinstitute.org/expand-app-terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://info.monroeinstitute.org/expand-app-privacy-policy

About

Coherence

Master your nervous system through guided breathwork. Access over 500 breathing patterns to shift your state, from calm and focus to energy and sleep. Connect with a global community in live sessions and create custom routines.

Highlights
  • Nervous system interface via breath
  • Shift states: calm, focus, energy, sleep
  • Daily global live breathing sessions
  • 500+ research-backed breathing patterns
  • Custom breathing sequence creator
  • Progress tracking and stats
  • Community features and leaderboards
Features
Read full description

YOUR NERVOUS SYSTEM, ON DEMAND Coherence is a nervous system interface. Using the science of breath, shift into calm, focus, or energy in minutes. Your breath is the only autonomic function you can consciously control - a direct line to your nervous system. Coherence gives you the patterns to use it. SHIFT YOUR STATE - Calm: Activate your parasympathetic system to release stress - Focus: Enter alert relaxation for deep work - Energy: Stimulate your system for peak performance - Sleep: Downregulate for faster, deeper rest BREATHE WITH THE WORLD Join the Daily Sync - a live global session where people worldwide breathe together in perfect unison. Watch participants appear around a real-time 3D Earth. Set an intention. Experience collective coherence. 500+ BREATHING PATTERNS Techniques selected from peer-reviewed research and proven traditions: - Coherence: Heart-brain synchronization (5.5s rhythm) - Box Breath: Used by Navy SEALs for composure under pressure - 4-7-8: Vagal activation for rapid calm - Physiological Sigh: The fastest way to reduce stress - Vortex: Fibonacci-based energizing sequence - Tummo: Traditional Tibetan inner heat practice - Sleep, Focus, Energy patterns and more CREATE YOUR OWN Build custom breathing sequences with our visual editor. Set phase durations, add music from Spotify or Apple Music, record your own voice guidance, and share with the community. TRACK YOUR REGULATION - Streaks and daily practice stats - Session history and insights - Weekly progress visualization - Level progression system COMPETE & CONNECT - Weekly leagues with promotion and demotion - Global leaderboards - User profiles and friends - Invite others to sync sessions DESIGNED FOR FOCUS - Minimalist dark interface - Zen mode fades the UI so nothing distracts you - Beautiful animations guide your breath - Sonic cues keep you on rhythm - Works with screen off - Works in airplane mode SUBSCRIPTION All features require an active subscription: - Monthly: $9.99/month - Annual: $39.99/year (3-day free trial) - Cancel anytime in App Store settings Take control of your nervous system. Terms of Use: https://www.coherencebreath.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.coherencebreath.com/privacy

Screenshots

Expand4 screens
Coherence4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Coherence at 4.8 against Expand's 4.0. Coherence also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 50%) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Expand sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and Coherence sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Coherence holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 301 and 652 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Expand's written reviews are positive against 86% of Coherence's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Expand ships an update monthly, Coherence every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Expand versus Coherence: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExpandCoherence
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (301 ratings)4.8 (652 ratings) — better
Positive reviews49.7% of reviews85.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings301652 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB225 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTHE MONROE INSTITUTEJohn Sweeney

Customer experience

Expand

All ratings297 ratings
Positive73.4%
Neutral6.1%
Negative20.5%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive49.7%
Neutral12.1%
Negative38.2%

Coherence

All ratings648 ratings
Positive94.6%
Neutral1.4%
Negative4.0%
Written reviews104 reviews
Positive85.6%
Neutral1.9%
Negative12.5%

User reviews

Expand

From 301 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Powerful meditation tool
  • 👍 Lovely and helpful
  • 👍 Great way to practice
  • 👍 Transformative
  • 👍 First class app

Room to improve

  • 💰 Money maker
  • 🔒 How do you get a premium subscription?
  • 🐛 Cuts off sometimes?
  • 🔍 Where's the guidance?
  • 🐛 Annoyed

Coherence

From 652 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Excellent accessibility and interface
  • 🚀 Great integration into daily routine
  • 👍 Amazing experience and awesome sequences
  • 👍 Breathwork is one of the best things for health
  • 👍 Helps cut down on vices, boost vibes, and be a smooth operator

Bugs and requests

Expand

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Paid but no play
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • Sound shuts off when the iphone goes to sleep

Requested features

4 requests
  • Longer guided meditations
  • What's new section for meditations
  • Ability to turn off background music
  • Monthly charge option

Coherence

No bugs or feature requests surfaced in reviews.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Expand

Subscriptions2
  • Expand Plus Monthly$11.991 Month
  • Expand Plus Yearly$69.991 Year
6 purchases

Coherence

Subscriptions6
  • Coherence Monthly Membership$14.991 Month
  • Coherence Membership3 Days trial$69.991 Year
  • Coherence Friend Pass14 Days trial$69.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Coherence Membership$69.991 Year
  • Coherence Membership1 Month trial$69.991 Year
  • Coherence3 Months trial$69.991 Year

Questions

Is Expand free?
Expand is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Coherence free?
Coherence is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Expand or Coherence?
Coherence is rated higher. Expand averages 4.0 out of 5 from 301 ratings, while Coherence averages 4.8 from 652 ratings.
Do Expand or Coherence have ads?
Expand shows ads; Coherence does not.
Which is updated more often, Expand or Coherence?
Expand ships an update monthly, and Coherence every 4 days. Most recently, Expand was updated on November 7, 2026 and Coherence on November 8, 2026.

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