PTSD Coach vs EMDR Tappers
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PTSD Coach
This app offers educational resources and self-help tools for individuals experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It includes a self-assessment, information on professional care, and customizable tools for managing daily stress, such as relaxation techniques and anger management.
- PTSD education
- Self-assessment tool
- Professional care information
- Stress management tools
- Customizable features
- Relaxation skills
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PTSD Coach was designed for those who have, or may have, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This app provides you with education about PTSD, information about professional care, a self-assessment for PTSD, opportunities to find support, and tools that can help you manage the stresses of daily life with PTSD. Tools range from relaxation skills and positive self-talk to anger management and other common self-help strategies. You can customize tools based on your preferences and can integrate your own contacts, photos, and music. This app can be used by people who are in treatment as well as those who are not. PTSD Coach was created by VA’s National Center for PTSD and DoD’s National Center for Telehealth & Technology.
EMDR Tappers
This app provides bilateral stimulation therapy to help manage stress and anxiety. It replicates EMDR therapy using on-screen animations, vibrations, and sounds, accessible with just a phone or smartwatch. Users can customize stimuli and access positive affirmations for mental well-being.
- Bilateral stimulation replication
- Customizable animations, vibrations, and sounds
- Positive affirmations integration
- Use with iPhone and Apple Watch
- Single or dual phone operation
- Preset and custom settings (premium)
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The EMDR Tappers app was designed by researchers, veterans, and licensed eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) professionals to replicate EMDR therapy with only an iPhone and Apple Watch. Users can set the pace of animations, vibrations, and sounds. These stimuli are synchronized to replicate the benefits of EMDR therapy in any setting without the expensive, bulky equipment. Users can also use the app with just a single phone or two phones. All of this for free. No external, annoying ads. The core of EMDR therapy is bilateral stimulation—alternatively stimulating each side of the brain with sounds, lights, and vibrations. EMDR is a scientifically proven method of dealing with stress, anxiety, and other negative psychological conditions. The EMDR Tappers app combines the benefits of bilateral stimulation with positive affirmations. These affirmations are delivered bilaterally to help re-program your brain with healthy thoughts and beliefs. EMDR is a “strongly recommended” technique by the leading veterans' organizations, and the American Psychiatric Association has noted that EMDR is effective for treating PTSD symptoms. The premium version of the app allows users to set the color of the animation, choose the sound, and save custom settings as well as access preset settings. Download the app today to experience the power of bilateral stimulation. Terms of service: https://www.inspirehopecounseling.com/emdr-tappers-terms-of-service
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PTSD Coach at none against EMDR Tappers's 3. PTSD Coach also leads on review sentiment (81% vs 51%). EMDR Tappers's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 11 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. EMDR Tappers sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. PTSD Coach asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for PTSD Coach against 4.8 for EMDR Tappers. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4.3K and 1.7K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 81% of PTSD Coach's written reviews are positive against 51% of EMDR Tappers's.
PTSD Coach ships an update every 11 months, EMDR Tappers weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PTSD Coach | EMDR Tappers |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (4.3K ratings) | 4.8 (1.7K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 81.1% of reviews — better | 50.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4.3K — better | 1.7K |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 13.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 83 MB | 229 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) | Bilateral Mind |
Customer experience
PTSD Coach
EMDR Tappers
Bugs and requests
PTSD Coach
Reported bugs
2 issues- History data being deleted after updates
- Symptom assessment reminders not working as expected
Requested features
5 requests- Multi-language support
- Ability to customize or add personal content
- Integration with mental health professionals
- Expanded resources for non-veteran PTSD
- Improved symptom tracking and data visualization
EMDR Tappers
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
PTSD Coach
No in-app purchases
EMDR Tappers
- Guided Bilateral Stimulation3 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Guided Bilateral Stimulation14 Days trial$49.991 Year
- Premium Bilateral Stimulation$9.99
