Comparison

Anxiety Release based on EMDR vs Nerva

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

Head to head
About

Anxiety Release based on EMDR

This app guides you to naturally release anxious thoughts and feelings using bilateral brain stimulation, a core element of EMDR therapy. It leverages your brain's natural processing power with guided audio and visual sessions, requiring minimal effort from the user.

Highlights
  • Guided anxiety management sessions
  • Pure bilateral stimulation (audio & visual)
  • Safe place exercise
  • Brain training session
  • Progress log function
  • Visual brain stimulation
Features
Read full description

Anxiety Release shows you how to release anxious thoughts and feelings naturally, by harnessing the power of your brain. It does this by combining guided instructions and focused attention with bilateral brain stimulation. Bilateral stimulation is a treatment element of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), a revolutionary treatment which is based on the use of sensory stimulation to alter anxiety-provoking memories and responses. Over 30 randomized controlled studies of EMDR attest to the efficacy of this process. Because bilateral stimulation appeals to the unconscious, sensing part of the brain, there is no need for effortful thinking or struggling with feelings. All you have to do is LISTEN and your brain will do the rest! The App consists of; 1 x brain training session 2 x guided anxiety management sessions 1 x pure bilateral stimulation session (audio & visual) 1 x safe place exercise Progress Log function Powerful Bls brain visual This App is suitable for both clinicians and clients Caution: Persons suffering with complex PTSD or mental health problems, multiple psychological trauma or unstable neurological conditions (eg; epilepsy) should not use this product without medical supervision.

About

Nerva

This app offers a personalized gut-brain therapy program to manage symptoms of IBS, FD, GERD, and other gut-brain disorders. It aims to retrain the nervous system and improve communication between the gut and brain through daily sessions and practical tools.

Highlights
  • Personalized gut-brain therapy program
  • Daily 15-minute retraining sessions
  • Flare-up management tools
  • Long-term symptom maintenance plan
  • AI-driven personalization
  • Evidence-based clinical research
Features
Read full description

Address the miscommunication between your gut and brain. Designed for people living with IBS, functional dyspepsia (FD), GERD, bloating symptoms, and other gut–brain disorders - as well as those seeking additional support alongside IBD care - Nerva is a personalized gut–brain program that supports symptom management through daily sessions, practical tools, and structured guidance. Target the root cause Many people spend years cutting out foods in an effort to calm their gut - a difficult path that can miss what’s really driving symptoms. In disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBIs), the root cause is gut–brain hypersensitivity. After a trigger like illness, antibiotics, or prolonged stress, the nerves in the gut can become over-reactive. Even once the gut tissue heals, the nervous system may keep the alarm turned up. Normal digestion, gas, or movement are then misread as danger - leading to pain, bloating, reflux, urgency, constipation, or diarrhea. Diets and medications can reduce symptoms temporarily, but they don’t retrain this signaling system. That’s why symptoms often return or shift over time. Lasting relief means calming the nervous system and restoring healthy gut–brain communication - where the symptoms actually start. How Nerva helps Nerva is a structured gut–brain program that helps you practice brain-gut techniques shown to support a calmer response to gut sensations. Over the program you'll learn to: - Respond differently to uncomfortable gut signals - Practice calming the gut–brain stress response - Build daily habits that support digestive comfort Tailored to you No two guts are the same. Nerva adapts your program to your symptoms, triggers, and progress - using AI to adjust the coaching and guidance as you go. The sessions, the tools you receive, and the coaching you follow are all shaped around your experience. Evidence-based Unlike most apps, Nerva is built on clinical research. In a randomized controlled trial at Monash University, Nerva helped 81% of people significantly manage their gastrointestinal symptoms. Since then, more than 300,000 people have used Nerva, and over 11,000 healthcare providers recommend it. Features of Nerva - Daily 15-minute sessions designed to retrain gut-brain miscommunication - Flare-up tools for pain, bloating, constipation, reflux and diarrhea - Long-term maintenance plan to keep symptoms under control after the program - AI personalization to tailor the program to your selected triggers and progress Who is the team behind Nerva? Nerva was built by Dr. Simone Peters, GI psychophysiologist, together with clinicians, dietitians, and researchers. Many of us live with gut conditions ourselves. Member stories “Nerva has really worked for me. I’ve been using the app for several months now, and I’ve noticed that I’m experiencing less negative instances with my stomach. I would highly recommend to anyone - absolutely worth the subscription” Disclaimer: Nerva is a self-guided program that may help people self-manage and live well with a diagnosed disorder of the gut-brain interaction. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, diagnosis, or treatment, and has not been evaluated by the FDA, TGA, MHRA, or equivalent bodies. Do not change prescribed medication or treatment without professional advice. Some content is personalized or generated by AI for educational and wellness purposes only. It is not therapy or mental health care, is not from a licensed professional, and is not monitored in real time. If you are in distress or thinking of harming yourself or others, call your local emergency number right away. Subscription and trial 7-day free trial After the trial, your account is charged according to the plan you choose Subscriptions renew until cancelled Cancel anytime in iOS Settings, Apple ID, Subscriptions Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.mindsethealth.com/privacy

Screenshots

Anxiety Release based on EMDR4 screens
Nerva4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Nerva at Free against Anxiety Release based on EMDR's $4.99. Nerva also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (15K vs 90). Anxiety Release based on EMDR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and chart position (#22 vs unranked). On review sentiment, ads and device support 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

Nerva is free to download; Anxiety Release based on EMDR costs $4.99 up front. Nerva sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $99.00 per month. Anxiety Release based on EMDR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Nerva holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nerva has 15K ratings behind it against 90, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Anxiety Release based on EMDR's written reviews are positive against 72% of Nerva's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Anxiety Release based on EMDR ships an update every 3 months, Nerva every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Anxiety Release based on EMDR versus Nerva: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAnxiety Release based on EMDRNerva
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.4 (90 ratings)4.7 (15K ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.3% of reviews72.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9015K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#22 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size354 MB138 MB
Age rating4+12+
Developertrauma and pain management services pty ltdMindset Health Pty Ltd

Customer experience

Anxiety Release based on EMDR

All ratings90 ratings
Positive84.4%
Neutral2.2%
Negative13.3%
Written reviews83 reviews
Positive66.3%
Neutral6.0%
Negative27.7%

Nerva

All ratings15,042 ratings
Positive93.1%
Neutral3.2%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews880 reviews
Positive72.4%
Neutral5.9%
Negative21.7%

Bugs and requests

Anxiety Release based on EMDR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Nerva

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App getting stuck on certain days
  • Difficulty accessing previous sessions
  • Inconsistent user experience across devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • More variety in guided visualizations
  • Ability to skip or replace certain sessions
  • Maintenance plan with reduced pricing
  • Offline access to recordings

In-app purchases

None

Anxiety Release based on EMDR

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Nerva

Subscriptions4
  • Nerva IBS program (Monthly)7 Days trial$99.001 Month
  • Nerva IBS program (3 Month)7 Days trial$149.003 Months
  • 30% Off Nerva IBS (3 Month)7 Days trial$149.003 Months
Show 1 more
  • Nerva Full Access7 Days trial$199.001 Year

Questions

Is Anxiety Release based on EMDR free?
Anxiety Release based on EMDR costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nerva free?
Nerva is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Anxiety Release based on EMDR or Nerva?
Nerva is rated higher. Anxiety Release based on EMDR averages 4.4 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while Nerva averages 4.7 from 15K ratings.
Do Anxiety Release based on EMDR or Nerva have ads?
Neither Anxiety Release based on EMDR nor Nerva shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Anxiety Release based on EMDR or Nerva?
Anxiety Release based on EMDR ships an update every 3 months, and Nerva every 8 days. Most recently, Anxiety Release based on EMDR was updated on October 23, 2026 and Nerva on October 24, 2026.

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