Comparison

EMDR 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

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

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

EMDR4 screens
self EMDR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: EMDR at Free against self EMDR's $2.99. EMDR also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (173 vs 1). self EMDR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and review sentiment (75% vs 46%). On ads and iOS requirement 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 is free to download; self EMDR costs $2.99 up front. EMDR sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. self EMDR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EMDR holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EMDR has 173 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of EMDR'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 ships an update every 4 days, self EMDR every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
EMDR versus self EMDR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMDRself EMDR
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating4.4 (173 ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews45.8% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings173 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBas OppenheimChristian Ahrweiler

Customer experience

EMDR

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

self EMDR

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

self EMDR

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

self EMDR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EMDR free?
EMDR 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 or self EMDR?
EMDR is rated higher. EMDR averages 4.4 out of 5 from 173 ratings, while self EMDR averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do EMDR or self EMDR have ads?
Neither EMDR nor self EMDR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMDR or self EMDR?
EMDR ships an update every 4 days, and self EMDR every 3 weeks. Most recently, EMDR was updated on November 7, 2026 and self EMDR on November 4, 2026.

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