Comparison

self EMDR vs PulseWave

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

Head to head
About

self EMDR

This application provides auditory and visual stimulation to aid in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. It is designed to create effects that support the therapeutic process. Users should consult a healthcare professional before use.

Highlights
  • Auditory stimulation effects
  • Visual stimulation effects
  • Supports EMDR therapy process
  • Consultation advisories
  • Health warning resources
Features
Read full description

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. (Ref. *1) It is a therapeutic method that uses bilateral stimulation, often through guided eye movement, sound, or tapping. Self EMDR provides a simple, self-paced visual and audio stimulation tool. You control the movement, speed, appearance, and sound yourself. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = MEDICAL DISCLAIMER This app is not a replacement for professional therapy. Please consult a doctor or therapist before using EMDR-style stimulation, especially if you have trauma symptoms, epilepsy, dissociation, severe anxiety, or other medical or psychological concerns. This app offers a function that creates auditory and visual effects for stimulation. Under certain circumstances, this stimulation may be contraindicated for you. (Ref. *2) Please consultat your doctor/therapist and read our health warning on https://selfemdr.app/intro.html before use. (Ref. *3) In addition, here are some sources you might want to consider: *1 https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye_Movement_Desensitization_and_Reprocessing/ *2 https://oxfordre.com/socialwork/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-9780199975839-e-908 *3 https://www.castlecraig.co.uk/therapy/dangers-of-emdr/ 4. https://emdrhealing.com/safe-place-for-your-emdr-session-here-are-some-script-examples/ 5. https://www.emdria.org/about-emdr-therapy/ 6. https://www.emdr.com/what-is-emdr/ 7. https://www.therapie.de/psyche/info/therapie/emdr/anwendungsgebiete/

About

PulseWave

Features
Read full description

Follow the orb at a steady 5–5 breathing rhythm (six breaths per minute). Choose a 30-, 60-, or 120-second Guided Reset, then explore longer breathing sessions when you want. Choose 30, 60, or 120 seconds. Follow the orb at a steady 5–5 rhythm, with optional sound and haptics. Finish the pause, then return to what you were doing. GO DEEPER WHEN YOU WANT TO - Guided practices: follow tapping points step by step, choose a longer meditation, or explore hypnosis journeys while staying in control. - Night routines: combine narrated sleep sessions, wind-down programs, journaling, and soft sounds. - Make it yours: mix a live soundscape, use private mood check-ins, and notice patterns over time. TWO WAYS TO BREATHE Guided Reset is the immediate option: start a default 5–5 rhythm for 30, 60, or 120 seconds. Breathing Sessions are the deeper option, with more protocols, longer durations, voice, haptic, and sound choices. FREE AND PREMIUM Breathwork is free to start. Premium unlocks the deeper library, custom sound creator, offline-friendly tools, and private coaching features. PRIVACY BY CHOICE No advertising or cross-app tracking. No named account is required. Journal and mood entries stay on the device by default and sync only after separate consent. PulseWave uses an anonymous Firebase identity and RevenueCat for requested account and subscription functionality. PulseWave is a wellness app, not a medical device or clinical service. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. If you have a medical, cardiovascular, sleep, or mental health concern, consult a qualified professional. PulseWave Premium is available as a monthly or annual auto-renewable subscription. New eligible users may start the annual plan with a 7-day free trial; the monthly plan has no free trial. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://www.highroadsoftware.com/apps/pulsewave/privacy.html Terms of Service: https://www.highroadsoftware.com/apps/pulsewave/terms.html

Screenshots

self EMDR4 screens
PulseWave4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PulseWave at Free against self EMDR's $2.99. PulseWave also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). self EMDR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#200 vs unranked). On 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

PulseWave is free to download; self EMDR costs $2.99 up front. PulseWave sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. self EMDR asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

self EMDR ships an update every 3 weeks, PulseWave weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
self EMDR versus PulseWave: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterself EMDRPulseWave
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#200 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, Mac
Requires iOS16.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB218 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperChristian AhrweilerHighRoad Software

In-app purchases

None

self EMDR

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

PulseWave

Subscriptions2
  • PulseWave Premium Monthly14 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • PulseWave Premium Yearly14 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is self EMDR free?
self EMDR costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PulseWave free?
PulseWave is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do self EMDR or PulseWave have ads?
Neither self EMDR nor PulseWave shows ads.
Which is updated more often, self EMDR or PulseWave?
self EMDR ships an update every 3 weeks, and PulseWave weekly. Most recently, self EMDR was updated on October 4, 2026 and PulseWave on October 31, 2026.

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