Comparison

Embody vs (held)

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

Head to head
About

Embody

This app offers expert-led daily somatic exercises to release physical stress and restore emotional balance. Through short, guided practices, users can reduce tension, improve sleep, and build resilience. It provides a library of exercises for various needs, including stress relief and targeted bodywork.

Highlights
  • Daily 10-minute somatic practices
  • Library of 300+ somatic exercises
  • Targeted courses for stress and tension
  • Built-in accountability and streaks
  • No equipment required
  • Morning and nighttime routines
Features
Read full description

What Is Embody? Welcome to Embody, your expert-led guide to daily nervous system resets. Through short, daily somatic exercises, you release stress held in the body and restore your strength, confidence and power. If you feel: - Constantly stressed or overstimulated - Tight in your jaw, shoulders, or lower back - Tired but wired at night - Emotionally heavy or stuck in your body Embody offers a gentle, effective way to rewire your nervous system—fast. These classes are taught by somatic expert, The Workout Witch, aka Liz Tenuto. What’s Inside the App? One daily 10-minute practice to feel grounded, strong and ready for your day. Explore an extensive library of 300+ Somatic Exercises for: - Stress relief - Emotional release - Tension relief - Morning & nighttime practices - On-the-go Premium Somatic Courses - Release Stress & Stored Trauma - Free Your Shoulders & Neck - Release Your Jaw - Heal Your Lower Back - Abs, Waist & Glutes - Advanced Release in 31 Days - Overcome Exhaustion - From Stuck to Expansion *Embody includes everything in The Workout Witch’s 3, 4 & 5 Course Bundles More Support to Stay Consistent - Built-in accountability so you can show up daily - Streaks that celebrate your commitment and progress - Search tools to find the exact practice your body needs How Does Embody Work? Just open the app, press play, and feel relaxed in just 10 minutes. - all levels - 10 minutes per day - no equipment needed - easy to fit into real life Practice in the morning, before bed, or anytime you feel overwhelmed. What Problem Does Embody Solve? Many people try to relax mentally—but their body is still holding tension. Embody guides you to build healthy habits that support your body and your life, one small movement at a time. What Results Can You Expect? - Less Stress: Feel more secure and at ease - Better Sleep: Improve your sleep and restore your energy - Less Pain: Ease tension and move more freely - More Vitality: Feel vibrant and refreshed - Real Relief: Let go of emotional weight in minutes Who Is Embody For? Embody is for people who: - Feel stressed or overwhelmed - Want nervous system regulation - Carry tension in their body - Want gentle movement instead of intense workouts - Need real relief quickly Why Somatic Exercises? Somatic exercises release tension and restore balance, making them especially effective for: - Long-term stress - Overwhelm - Sleep issues - Tightness and tension - Constant exhaustion FAQ Is Embody meditation? Embody uses gentle somatic movement, not meditation or breathwork. How long are the sessions? Most practices are 5–10 minutes. Is this therapy? Embody is somatic practices and nervous system support. Somatic exercises are gentle, intentional movements to release stress and tension, and improve the mind-body connection. These movements shift the body out of “fight or flight” mode and rewire the nervous system to relax. Do I need equipment? No equipment needed. You can practice anytime, anywhere, including the comfort of your bed. Do I need to be flexible or fit? Not at all. Somatic exercises are gentle and accessible for all bodies. Can this help with stress and sleep? Many users report feeling calmer and sleeping better after a few days of daily exercises. Is this app safe for prenatal and postpartum? Yes, prenatal modifications and pelvic floor exercises are included. How do I know when I release my stress & trauma? During a release, you may notice sensations like warmth, softening, or emotional expression such as sighing, yawning, or tears. Afterward, the body often feels lighter, more relaxed, and less tense. Join Embody today!

About

(held)

This app offers a private, supportive space to help you feel calmer and more grounded using evidence-based practices like breathwork and guided reflection. It uses personalized AI to adapt to your emotional patterns, providing timely and relevant support for in-the-moment emotional regulation and self-reflection.

Highlights
  • In-the-moment emotional support
  • Nervous system regulation
  • Reflective exploration
  • Personalized AI insights
  • Guided breathwork and reflection
  • Private and confidential space
Features
Read full description

(held) — Intelligent Nervous System Support, When You Need It Most (held) is a private, supportive space designed to help you feel calmer, clearer, and more grounded - right when life feels overwhelming. Using evidence-based practices such as breath work, guided reflection, and somatic awareness, (held) helps you gently regulate your nervous system and shift your emotional state in minutes. Whether you're feeling anxious before a meeting, stuck in racing thoughts at night, or emotionally drained from a long day, (held) meets you where you are and guides you back toward balance. Powered by intelligent, personalized AI, (held) adapts to your emotional patterns over time - learning what works best for you and offering support that feels relevant, timely, and human. What (held) Helps With: NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION Approachable guided practices shaped around your goals that help you slow down, reset, and reconnect with your body. Choose the one that feels right, or explore practices on your own. IN-THE-MOMENT EMOTIONAL SUPPORT Grounding conversations designed to help you feel supported, understood, and less alone. REFLECTIVE EXPLORATION A safe space to process thoughts, emotions, and experiences without pressure or judgment. PERSONALIZED EMOTIONAL INSIGHTS Track your emotional patterns and discover what helps you feel more balanced over time. DAILY RITUALS Turn your intention into a regular practice. Set morning, afternoon, or evening sessions for times that work for you, and unlock change over time. HRV TRACKING Make heart rate variability (HRV) measurement part of your daily check-in and explore your readings over time to understand the health of your nervous system. CIRCLES Explore curated experiences around shared themes, specific needs, and expert guidance. Find a sense of community as you move through your own journey. PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL Your experience is designed to be secure, private, and respectful of your boundaries. Whether you’re seeking calm during a stressful day, support through a life transition, or a more consistent way to care for your emotional wellbeing, you can begin where you are. Start with how you feel. Find a practice that meets you there. You are held. Who (held) Is For • People feeling stressed, anxious, or emotionally overwhelmed • Anyone who wants immediate support in difficult moments • Those seeking a private space to reflect, regulate, and reset • Anyone looking to measure and improve their HRV (heart rate variability) over time • Individuals navigating life transitions, tough days, or emotional fatigue What (held) Is Not (held) is not a replacement for therapy, medical care, or crisis services. It is a supportive wellness tool designed for everyday emotional regulation and self-reflection. What's included with Subscription • Unlimited access to AI support and guided nervous system sessions • Unique breathwork, somatic and grounding practices • Personalized insights and pattern tracking Why (held)? Sometimes you don't need advice. You don't need fixing. You just need to feel safe, feel seen, and feel (held). Terms of Use: https://held.app/terms_of_use Privacy Policy: https://held.app/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Embody4 screens
(held)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: (held) at 5.0 against Embody's 3.7. (held) also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 64%). Embody's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). 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. (held) sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $22.00 per month. Embody asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

(held) holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 27 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Embody's written reviews are positive against 100% of (held)'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Embody ships an update weekly, (held) every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Embody versus (held): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmbody(held)
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (27 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings27 — better6
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size129 MB95 MB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperThe Workout WitchWellSet, Inc

Customer experience

Embody

All ratings26 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.8%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative36.4%

(held)

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Embody

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

(held)

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly7 Days trial$22.001 Month
  • Yearly7 Days trial$150.001 Year
  • Yearly7 Days trial$200.001 Year

Questions

Is Embody free?
Embody is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is (held) free?
(held) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Embody or (held)?
(held) is rated higher. Embody averages 3.7 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while (held) averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Embody or (held) have ads?
Neither Embody nor (held) shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Embody or (held)?
Embody ships an update weekly, and (held) every 3 weeks. Most recently, Embody was updated on October 24, 2026 and (held) on October 28, 2026.

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