Comparison

EMDR vs BluLateral

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

Head to head
About

EMDR

This app offers customizable visual, audio, and haptic bilateral stimulation. It allows you to use your existing devices as controllers and broadcast sessions to web browsers. Designed with accessibility in mind, it supports VoiceOver and Assistive Access.

Highlights
  • Customizable visual, audio, and haptic stimulation
  • Use game controllers and Joy-Cons as tappers
  • Precise stereo sound positioning
  • Fine-tune vibration intensity
  • Cross-device syncing with EMDR Connect
  • Full VoiceOver and Assistive Access support
  • Start stimulation from Control Center or Siri
Features
Read full description

The EMDR app puts you in full control of visual, audio, and haptic bilateral stimulation. Turn game controllers and Joy-Cons into tappers, position sound precisely in stereo, and fine-tune vibration intensity. Sync across your Apple devices or broadcast to compatible web browsers with EMDR Connect. Full VoiceOver and Assistive Access support is built in. STIMULATION YOUR WAY Tailor every session to your needs: • Set your pace with presets or fine-tune it with a slider. • Use auto-stop so you never have to count along. • Choose from a wide range of sounds, animations, and vibrations. • Hear the count spoken aloud in 21 languages. • Position stereo sound to the left, right, or center. • Fine-tune vibration intensity, automatically adapted to each device. • Personalize colors, patterns, and more. WORKS ACROSS YOUR DEVICES Connect iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, Joy-Cons, and game controllers. Alternate flashes or vibrations between devices, or use one as a remote control for another. No specialized tapper hardware is needed. The devices you already own do the work. BROADCAST WITH EMDR CONNECT Send your stimulation to a protected webpage in a compatible browser on a computer, tablet, or phone, whether it's your own device or someone else's. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account is needed. Shared names are encrypted. Our privacy policy explains what data EMDR Connect processes and how long it is retained. START FROM ANYWHERE • Start stimulation from Control Center, the Lock Screen, or the Action button. • Ask Siri, or automate your setup with Shortcuts. • Control playback from your headphones or a widget, even in the background. BUILT FOR ACCESSIBILITY Full support for Assistive Access and VoiceOver makes the app usable for people with diverse needs, with specialized interfaces that don't compromise on capability. TRY ONE MONTH FREE Explore everything the EMDR app offers with a free one-month trial for new subscribers. EMDR+ unlocks the full feature set across your Apple devices. EMDR Connect adds broadcasting to compatible web browsers. Download today and see how it fits your routine. APP PURPOSE This app is a general-purpose tool for generating bilateral and other types of stimulation. It supports a wide range of applications, including: • Research, e.g. testing the effects of bilateral stimulation. • Education, e.g. illustrating bilateral stimulation principles. • Focus and attention, e.g. pacing tasks with timed signals. • Relaxation and wellness, e.g. promoting physical relaxation through bilateral vibration. This app is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

BluLateral

This application provides wireless bilateral stimulation for general well-being and relaxation. It aims to support users in managing stress and promoting a sense of calm through innovative technology.

Highlights
  • Wireless bilateral stimulation
  • Supports general well-being
  • Promotes relaxation
  • Personal device integration
  • Innovative technology
Features
Read full description

An innovative personal device enabling wireless bilateral stimulation to support general well-being and relaxation.

Screenshots

EMDR4 screens
BluLateral3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BluLateral at none against EMDR's 6. BluLateral also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15). EMDR's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (173 vs 3). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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 sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. BluLateral asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for EMDR against 4.3 for BluLateral. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EMDR has 173 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 46% of EMDR's written reviews are positive against 50% of BluLateral's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EMDR ships an update every 6 days, BluLateral every 3 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
EMDR versus BluLateral: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMDRBluLateral
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (173 ratings) — better4.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews45.8% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings173 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS1513.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size120 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBas OppenheimBluTapp, Inc.

Customer experience

EMDR

All ratings173 ratings
Positive85.0%
Neutral3.5%
Negative11.6%
Written reviews48 reviews
Positive45.8%
Neutral4.2%
Negative50.0%

BluLateral

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

EMDR

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Apple Watch app won't launch after update
  • Sound issues (thudding noise, stereo problems)
  • Apple TV app doesn't work
  • Session disrupted by upsell window
  • App crashes when selecting features
Show 5 more
  • Sound doesn't work after purchasing
  • App doesn't work without internet
  • Trial starts without warning
  • Trial period doesn't work
  • App doesn't play in background or when screen is locked

Requested features

13 requests
  • Gradient effect for circle
  • More customization for circle
  • Alternating controller vibration
  • Timer feature
  • Slower BPM options (down to 30)
Show 8 more
  • More frame rates per second
  • Additional movements (Achten, Kreise)
  • Slower option for Slow EMDR
  • Use two Nintendo controllers for each hand
  • Pitch control for tone option
  • Option for 48 repeats
  • Ability to run with screen locked or in background
  • Manual input for repetitions and speed

BluLateral

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

EMDR

Subscriptions5
  • EMDR+1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • EMDR+ with Connect1 Month trial$19.991 Month
  • EMDR+ with Connect (Monthly)1 Month trial$39.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • EMDR+ (Yearly)1 Month trial$49.991 Year
  • EMDR+ with Connect (Yearly)1 Month trial2 variants$199.991 Year
None

BluLateral

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EMDR free?
EMDR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BluLateral free?
BluLateral is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, EMDR or BluLateral?
EMDR is rated higher. EMDR averages 4.4 out of 5 from 173 ratings, while BluLateral averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do EMDR or BluLateral have ads?
Neither EMDR nor BluLateral shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMDR or BluLateral?
EMDR ships an update every 6 days, and BluLateral every 3 months. Most recently, EMDR was updated on November 3, 2026 and BluLateral on November 3, 2026.

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