# EMDR vs Heal EMDR

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Heal EMDR at 87% against EMDR's 46%. Heal EMDR also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4). EMDR's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. EMDR sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Heal EMDR sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Heal EMDR holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 174 and 229 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 46% of EMDR's written reviews are positive against 87% of Heal EMDR's.

EMDR ships an update every 4 days, Heal EMDR fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EMDR | Heal EMDR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (174 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emdr/id1572102565/reviews) | **[4.8 (229 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heal-emdr-self-guided-therapy/id6504521148/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 174 | **229** |
| Positive reviews | 45.8% of reviews | **87.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Fortnightly |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 121 MB | 73 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Bas Oppenheim](https://appshunter.io/developer/1009442115) | [HEAL APP FOR INTERNET CONTENT PROVIDER](https://appshunter.io/developer/1752640110) |

## What reviewers say

### EMDR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/emdr/id1572102565)

This app offers customizable visual, audio, and haptic bilateral stimulation. It allows users to control pace, sound positioning, and vibration intensity, and can sync across Apple devices or broadcast to web browsers. It is designed with accessibility in mind and supports various applications like research, education, focus, and relaxation.

**Highlights:** Customizable visual, audio, and haptic stimulation, Control over pace, sound, and vibration, Cross-device syncing with Apple devices, Broadcast to web browsers via EMDR Connect, Full VoiceOver and Assistive Access support, Start stimulation from Control Center or Siri

**Features:** Game Controller support, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| EMDR+ | $4.99 | per month |
| EMDR+ with Connect | $19.99 | per month |
| EMDR+ with Connect (Monthly) | $39.99 | per month |
| EMDR+ (Yearly) | $49.99 | per year |
| EMDR+ with Connect (Yearly) | $199.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Effective EMDR tool
- 💡 Highly customizable
- 🚀 Works well on iPhone/iPad
- ✨ Clean interface
- 🎧 Supports audio cues

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Subscription model criticized
- 🐌 Slow on Macbook
- 📱 Apple TV app broken
- 🚫 No free trial clarity
- ⚠️ Upsell windows disrupt sessions

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- Gradient effect for circle
- More customization for circle
- Alternating controller vibration
- Timer feature
- Slower BPM options (down to 30)


### Heal EMDR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/heal-emdr-self-guided-therapy/id6504521148)

This app offers self-guided EMDR therapy sessions to help users process distressing memories and reduce symptoms of PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and depression. It guides you through the full EMDR protocol at home, using bilateral audio stimulation instead of physical kits.

**Highlights:** Self-guided EMDR therapy sessions, Bilateral audio stimulation, Guided and advanced modes, Targeted programs for PTSD, trauma, anxiety, depression, phobias, grief, and addiction, Healing Journeys for multi-session issues, Private and secure data storage, Real human customer support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| 3 Months | $44.99 | per 3 months |
| 3 Months | $44.99 | per 3 months |
| Monthly | $49.99 | per month |
| Monthly - 1 Month Trial | $59.99 | per month |
| Monthly - 3 Days Trial | $59.99 | per month |
| 3 Months - 1 Month Trial | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| 3 Months - 7 Days Trial | $149.99 | per 3 months |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Life-changing for trauma/PTSD
- 👍 Highly effective EMDR alternative
- 🌟 Accessible and affordable
- 🧘‍♀️ Calming and grounding experience
- 🚀 Significant improvement in mood/anxiety

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription cost considered high by some
- 🤖 Unnerving AI intro videos
- ⚠️ Self-EMDR may not be suitable for deep trauma
- 🔄 AI function sometimes gets stuck
- 🚫 No refund policy mentioned

**Reported bugs**

- AI function gets stuck
- Intro videos are unnerving/uncanny valley

**Requested features**

- Alternative to bilateral audio
- Graphs for progress tracking
- Option to turn off bilateral audio
- Use real people instead of AI for intro videos
- Just use audio and no AI person for intro videos


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EMDR free?

EMDR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Heal EMDR free?

Heal EMDR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, EMDR or Heal EMDR?

Heal EMDR is rated higher. EMDR averages 4.4 out of 5 from 174 ratings, while Heal EMDR averages 4.8 from 229 ratings.

### Do EMDR or Heal EMDR have ads?

Neither EMDR nor Heal EMDR shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EMDR or Heal EMDR?

EMDR ships an update every 4 days, and Heal EMDR fortnightly. Most recently, EMDR was updated on November 11, 2026 and Heal EMDR on November 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*