Comparison

Needs Bars vs Calm Space

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

Head to head
About

Needs Bars

This app provides a visual cue for activities you need to do regularly but don't fit into traditional to-do lists or calendars. It acts like a 'hunger bar' for any habit, reminding you when too much time has passed without completing a task. Useful for self-care, staying connected, or practicing skills.

Highlights
  • Visual cue for regular tasks
  • Syncing between devices
  • Dark mode
  • Home and lock screen widgets
  • Customizable reminders for self-care
Features
Read full description

Are there things you need to remember to do regularly, that don’t make sense in a to-do list or as calendar events? Needs Bars can give you a visual cue for when you have gone too long without doing something. Needs Bars is useful for things which you know are important, but don’t have a way of feeling it until it’s too late. It’s like the hunger bar in video games, but for anything you like. I know for this developer, todos and reminders don’t work because you miss the notification or they pile up. Some things don’t need to be done at an exact time, you just need to do them fairly regularly. Needs Bars can be helpful for different people in different ways. Some things that others take for granted and can just feel, are things that you would benefit having an external reminder for. For example, maybe you become very focused and would like something that reminds you to eat. The same concept can apply to short and long periods of time. Other examples include: • Staying in touch with family and friends • Self-care like reading, face masks, playing games • Musical instrument practice • Taking a vacation from work • Trying a new recipe At the moment, Needs Bars is a free and basic proof of concept. It already includes: • Syncing between devices • Dark mode • Home screen and lock screen widgets so you can always see your bars If Needs Bars is popular enough I will add paid subscription features to support development: • Custom bar colors • Color changing as the bar gets low • More than 6 bars • Apple Watch app • Slider for editing bar fullness • IFTTT integration for depleting and filling bars • Quick actions from bars like contacts or opening Books app • Completely customizable theming with any art you like, think early Tumblr and MySpace

About

Calm Space

Features
Read full description

Calm Space is a safe, dreamy place with quick techniques to calm your body and quiet your mind. Each session pairs soft video moods with calming soundscapes and clear, simple steps. No clutter. No judgment. Just support when anxiety spikes – anytime, anywhere. Why you’ll love it • Short guided sessions for a gentle reset • Background atmospheres that feel like a dreamy, imaginary place • A simple, intuitive experience Wellbeing & Safety • Calm Space offers supportive mindfulness and self-care guidance for general information only. • It is not medical or mental-health advice, therapy, or a crisis service. • The app does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition and may not be suitable for everyone. • Always consider your personal needs and consult a licensed healthcare professional before acting on suggestions or if you need medical guidance. • If you’re in immediate danger or thinking about self-harm, contact local emergency services or a crisis hotline in your region right away. Terms: https://www.notion.so/Calm-Space-App-Terms-of-Service-375cb62b41068084a715e9da0f7efce8 Privacy: https://www.notion.so/Calm-Space-App-Privacy-Policy-24bcb62b410680b69f2fdf249dda9da4

Screenshots

Needs Bars4 screens
Calm Space4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Needs Bars at none against Calm Space's 2. Needs Bars also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). On price, ads, device support 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

Both are free to download. Calm Space sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Needs Bars asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Needs Bars ships an update every 3 weeks, Calm Space every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Needs Bars versus Calm Space: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNeeds BarsCalm Space
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB94 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperFergal ArmstrongAnastasiia Gulenko

In-app purchases

None

Needs Bars

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Calm Space

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Needs Bars free?
Needs Bars is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Calm Space free?
Calm Space is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Needs Bars or Calm Space have ads?
Neither Needs Bars nor Calm Space shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Needs Bars or Calm Space?
Needs Bars ships an update every 3 weeks, and Calm Space every 5 months. Most recently, Needs Bars was updated on October 3, 2026 and Calm Space on October 11, 2026.

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