Comparison

Anchor vs GroundworkOS

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

Head to head
About

Anchor

This app offers evidence-based DBT and CBT techniques for individuals managing PTSD and trauma. It provides immediate access to coping strategies, AI-powered support, and crisis resources, with features for mood tracking and progress visualization. All data is stored locally for enhanced privacy and security.

Highlights
  • Evidence-based DBT/CBT techniques
  • AI support assistant
  • Mood and emotion tracking
  • 24/7 crisis resources
  • Progress tracking
  • Offline capability
  • Privacy-focused design
Features
Read full description

Anchor is an educational mental health support app designed specifically for veterans and individuals living with PTSD and trauma-related conditions. Built with evidence-based DBT and CBT techniques from authoritative sources including Harvard Medical School, Mayo Clinic, the American Psychological Association, and the VA National Center for PTSD, Anchor provides immediate access to coping strategies, crisis resources, and AI-powered support whenever you need it. KEY FEATURES: Evidence-Based DBT/CBT Techniques (with Medical Citations) - Grounding exercises (5-4-3-2-1, Body Scan, Physical Grounding, etc.) - Breathing techniques (Box Breathing, 4-7-8, Diaphragmatic, etc.) - Distress tolerance skills (TIPP, ACCEPTS, Self-Soothe, etc.) - Emotion regulation strategies (PLEASE, Opposite Action, Check the Facts, etc.) - Interpersonal effectiveness (DEAR MAN, GIVE, etc.) - Mindfulness practices (Observe, Describe, Participate, etc.) - Cognitive techniques (Thought Records, Behavioral Activation, etc.) - All techniques include citations to reputable medical sources AI Support Assistant - Real-time technique suggestions based on your emotional state - Crisis moment guidance with intelligent keyword detection - Trauma-informed, validating responses - Quick help buttons for immediate support - Powered by advanced natural language understanding Enhanced Mood & Emotion Tracking - Quick 5-point mood scale for fast check-ins - Detailed emotion logging with PTSD-appropriate emotion model - Track primary emotions, intensity, and context - Identify patterns in hypervigilance, shutdown responses, and emotional states - Progress charts and trend visualization - Data export for healthcare providers 24/7 Crisis Resources - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) - Veterans Crisis Line - Crisis Text Line - Local emergency resources - Personal safety planning tools Progress Tracking - Daily mood logging with progress charts - Technique effectiveness ratings - Identify patterns and triggers - Data export for healthcare providers Privacy & Security - All data stored locally on your device - No cloud storage without your consent - No tracking or analytics - HIPAA-aware design - Secure storage for sensitive information 100% Offline Capable - All features work without internet - Access techniques anytime, anywhere - Crisis resources available offline DESIGNED FOR: - Veterans with PTSD - Trauma survivors - Individuals in therapy seeking supplemental educational tools - Anyone learning DBT/CBT skills - People managing anxiety and stress IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Anchor is a self-help and educational tool. It is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a medical device and does not provide medical services. If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact emergency services or a crisis hotline immediately. WHY ANCHOR? Created with input from mental health professionals and trauma survivors, Anchor combines evidence-based techniques with modern technology to provide educational support when you need it most. Whether you're in therapy or managing symptoms on your own, Anchor is your companion for learning coping skills and personal growth. SUPPORT: For questions, feedback, or support, visit our GitHub repository or contact us through the app. Your journey to healing matters. Download Anchor today.

About

GroundworkOS

A personal operating system designed to help users navigate difficult life seasons like chronic illness, caregiving, or burnout. It offers an AI companion for reflection, daily practices for structure, and tools to track health and appointments.

Highlights
  • AI companion for reflection and data logging
  • Daily check-ins and reflections
  • Structured daily practices (Mind, Body, Spirit, Money, Garden)
  • Health and biology tracking (sleep, food, movement, hydration)
  • Calendar for logging medications, appointments, and more
  • Daily dashboard for progress visualization
Features
Read full description

GroundworkOS is a personal operating system built for the hard seasons of life — chronic illness, caregiving, burnout, grief, and the daily work of staying grounded when everything feels uncertain. Built by a founder navigating his wife's stage IV cancer diagnosis, GroundworkOS is the system he wished he had. Not a meditation app. Not a mood tracker. A daily practice infrastructure — for people who know the difference between surviving and building a foundation. The Guide Your AI companion learns your story across every conversation. Talk through hard things, log health data by voice, ask it to reflect your patterns back to you. Four voices available — Elder, Sensei, Companion, Goddess. Same wisdom, different energy. The Mirror Morning and evening check-ins. Weekly and monthly reflections. First thought, best thought. Everything you write deepens your Guide's understanding of who you are. The Gates Five daily practices across Mind, Body, Spirit, Money, and Garden. Small, repeatable rituals that give your day structure when everything else feels uncertain. The Battery Track sleep, food, movement, and hydration. Biology first. When the body is solid, everything else has a foundation to stand on. The Calendar Log sleep, food, movement, hydration, medications, supplements, side effects, weight, and appointments. Log here or just tell your Guide. Daily Rundown is a quick 2 minute morning check in with your Guide that logs: Sleep, Food, Movement and Hydration. Basecamp Your daily dashboard. A visual reminder that every day is a climb — and every step counts. Especially designed for caregivers, people navigating chronic illness, burnout, loss, and anyone in a hard season who is ready to build something solid underneath them. Less than a quarter a day. Less than $70 a year. Practice for the daily climb. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Anchor4 screens
GroundworkOS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: GroundworkOS at 5.0 against Anchor's 4.5. Anchor's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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

Both are free to download. GroundworkOS sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Anchor asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GroundworkOS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Anchor ships an update every 9 days, GroundworkOS every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Anchor versus GroundworkOS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAnchorGroundworkOS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB33 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperRyan Charles LingoThomas Scoble

Customer experience

Anchor

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

GroundworkOS

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Anchor

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

GroundworkOS

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Annual$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Anchor free?
Anchor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is GroundworkOS free?
GroundworkOS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Anchor or GroundworkOS?
GroundworkOS is rated higher. Anchor averages 4.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while GroundworkOS averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Anchor or GroundworkOS have ads?
GroundworkOS shows ads; Anchor does not.
Which is updated more often, Anchor or GroundworkOS?
Anchor ships an update every 9 days, and GroundworkOS every 11 days. Most recently, Anchor was updated on October 7, 2026 and GroundworkOS on October 10, 2026.

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