Comparison

EMDR vs LuminousBreath

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 provides customizable bilateral stimulation across Apple devices, offering control over visual, auditory, and haptic feedback. It supports various use cases like research, education, focus enhancement, and relaxation, with accessibility features and online broadcasting capabilities.

Highlights
  • Customizable pace and auto-stop
  • Stereo sounds, animations, and vibrations
  • Cross-device connectivity (iPhone, iPad, Mac, etc.)
  • Game controller support
  • Online broadcasting via EMDR Connect
  • Full VoiceOver and Assistive Access support
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 any browser 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 on any 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, and EMDR Connect session data is removed from the server when the session ends. 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 any browser. 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

LuminousBreath

Features
Read full description

Luminous Breath is a guided breathing and meditation app designed to help you harness the benefits of controlled breathwork. Whether you want to reduce stress, improve focus, or support general well-being, Luminous Breath provides structured, customizable breathing sessions that adapt to your comfort and experience level. GUIDED BREATHING SESSIONS • Three levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced • Multiple breathing cycles with progressive breath-hold challenges • Adjustable inhale and exhale timing • Circular visual guide to support rhythm and relaxation IMMERSIVE AUDIO EXPERIENCE • 24 calming meditation and ambient tracks • Separate audio phases for breathing, hold, and meditation • Adjustable volume for each element • Seamless, looping transitions for an uninterrupted flow DISCLAIMER Luminous Breath is intended for general wellness and relaxation purposes only. It is not a medical device and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting or changing any breathing or wellness practice—especially if you are pregnant, or have cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, psychological, or other medical conditions, or if you take prescription medication. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, short of breath, anxious, or otherwise unwell, stop immediately and seek medical advice. This app is not for emergency use—call your local emergency number if you need urgent medical help. REFERENCES The app now includes citations from reputable, medically-reviewed sources that specifically discuss the risks and precautions associated with breath-hold / retention breathing practices: • WebMD – “Is Holding Your Breath Dangerous?”
Discusses risks including hypoxia, hypercapnia, irregular heart rhythms, and potential neurological effects. • ONE Retreats – “Safety Considerations When Practicing Breathwork”
Provides safety guidelines for breath-hold exercises and warnings for individuals with conditions such For more information and safety details, visit: https://jkine00.github.io/Luminous-Breath/safety.html

Screenshots

EMDR4 screens
LuminousBreath4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: EMDR at 7 against LuminousBreath's 2. EMDR also leads on iOS requirement (15 vs 17.6). 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 sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and LuminousBreath sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EMDR ships an update weekly, LuminousBreath every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
EMDR versus LuminousBreath: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMDRLuminousBreath
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (172 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews45.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings172 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB192 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperBas OppenheimJohn Kine

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

LuminousBreath

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 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
One-time1
  • EMDR+ for Research$9.99
1 purchases

LuminousBreath

Subscriptions1
  • Luminous Breath Monthly1 Month trial$3.991 Month

Questions

Is EMDR free?
EMDR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LuminousBreath free?
LuminousBreath is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do EMDR or LuminousBreath have ads?
Neither EMDR nor LuminousBreath shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMDR or LuminousBreath?
EMDR ships an update weekly, and LuminousBreath every 9 days. Most recently, EMDR was updated on October 20, 2026 and LuminousBreath on October 11, 2026.

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