Comparison

panic.btn vs Stella

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

Head to head
About

panic.btn

Provides immediate physiological intervention for panic attacks and overwhelming anxiety. Features a one-tap rescue button with guided grounding sequences, clinical breathing exercises, and haptic feedback for discreet use. Content is verified by a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Highlights
  • One-tap rescue button
  • Guided grounding sequences
  • Clinical breathing tools (4-7-8, Box Breathing)
  • Vagus nerve resets
  • Haptic feedback for discreet use
  • CBT and physiological science-based content
Features
Read full description

STOP THE SPIRAL IN SECONDS. When a panic attack hits, you don't have time to navigate complex menus or watch a 10-minute meditation. You need a rescue tool that works now. panic.btn is a "digital first aid kit" built by Eric (Franz) Richers, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and addiction specialist. It is specifically designed to provide immediate physiological intervention when your nervous system is overwhelmed. WHY PANIC.BTN? Unlike "zen" lifestyle apps, panic.btn focuses on the science of the "Physiological Sigh" and grounding techniques used in clinical therapy to lower your heart rate and cortisol levels instantly. KEY FEATURES: The Rescue Button: One tap launches a guided grounding sequence. Clinical Breathing Tools: 4-7-8, Box Breathing, and Vagus Nerve resets. Haptic Feedback: Feel the rhythm of the breath—perfect for public situations where you can't use audio. LPC-Verified Content: Every exercise is rooted in CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and physiological science. Privacy First: No data leaves your device. No sign-ups. No subscriptions. FROM THE FOUNDER: "I built this app for my clients to use between sessions. In a moment of crisis, you don't need a coach—you need a tool. panic.btn is that tool." — Eric Richers, LPC, MA, CADC III. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Stella

This app offers voice-based support for managing anxiety, stress, and panic. It provides personalized, conversational guidance and coping tools inspired by CBT techniques. The app learns your patterns to offer tailored assistance anytime you need to calm down.

Highlights
  • Voice-first anxiety support
  • Personalized conversational guidance
  • CBT-inspired tools
  • Grounding and breathing exercises
  • Pattern tracking
  • 24/7 availability
Features
Read full description

Talk through anxiety, stress, panic, and overthinking with voice support that remembers you. Stella is a voice-first anxiety companion designed to help you feel calmer in difficult moments. When your mind is racing, typing can feel impossible. With Stella, you can press, speak, and get real-time support through grounded, conversational guidance built for everyday anxiety, stress, and emotional overwhelm. Whether you are dealing with a panic spike, looping thoughts at night, relationship anxiety, social anxiety, work stress, or health anxiety, Stella helps you slow things down and get back to center. WHY PEOPLE USE STELLA Voice-first support Talk out loud instead of typing through anxiety. Stella is built for moments when you need support fast. Remembers what helped before Stella keeps track of your patterns, triggers, and what has worked in past conversations, so you do not have to start from zero every time. Guidance for real anxious moments Use conversational support tools inspired by CBT [Cognitive Behavioral Therapy], grounding exercises, breathing, reframing, and emotional regulation techniques. Support anytime Day or night, Stella is available when stress rises, thoughts spiral, or you need help calming down. WHAT STELLA HELPS WITH - Anxiety and stress - Panic and racing thoughts - Overthinking and rumination - Relationship anxiety - Social anxiety - Work anxiety - Health anxiety - Emotional overwhelm - Grounding and breathing support - Building healthier coping patterns over time HOW STELLA WORKS 1. Press and talk Say what is happening in your own words. No journaling template. No typing wall. 2. Get personalized support Stella responds with calming, conversational guidance based on your current state and your past patterns. 3. Use practical tools in the moment Get breathing exercises, grounding prompts, reframes, emotional check-ins, and supportive reflections that are easier to use when anxiety is actually happening. 4. Learn your patterns Track triggers, emotional patterns, and what helps you feel better over time. BUILT FOR THE WAY ANXIETY ACTUALLY FEELS Meditation apps can be great, but they are not always enough when your thoughts are spiraling. Stella is built for the in-between moments: before bed, after a hard text, during a stress spike, before a meeting, after a health scare, or anytime you need a calm voice to help you reset. PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your conversations are handled with privacy in mind. You stay in control of your data, and you can request deletion of your information at any time. For more information, see our Privacy Policy and Terms. IMPORTANT Stella is designed for mental wellness support and emotional coping. It is not a medical provider and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you may be experiencing a mental health crisis or may be in danger of harming yourself or others, call emergency services immediately or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in the United States by calling or texting 988. Terms of Use: https://www.stellalabs.ai/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.stellalabs.ai/privacy

Screenshots

panic.btn4 screens
Stella4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Stella at 17 against panic.btn's 1. Stella also leads on monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). panic.btn's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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. panic.btn sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Stella sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for panic.btn against 5.0 for Stella. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stella has 17 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

panic.btn ships an update every 2 weeks, Stella fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
panic.btn versus Stella: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameterpanic.btnStella
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings117 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB13 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperFranz RichersMaxwell Drut

Customer experience

panic.btn

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Stella

All ratings17 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

panic.btn

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro Access$0.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium Access$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • panic.btn Pro Lifetime Access$9.99
2 purchases

Stella

Subscriptions2
  • Stella Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Stella Yearly$59.991 Year

Questions

Is panic.btn free?
panic.btn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stella free?
Stella is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, panic.btn or Stella?
panic.btn and Stella are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 17 ratings respectively.
Do panic.btn or Stella have ads?
Neither panic.btn nor Stella shows ads.
Which is updated more often, panic.btn or Stella?
panic.btn ships an update every 2 weeks, and Stella fortnightly. Most recently, panic.btn was updated on October 6, 2026 and Stella on October 4, 2026.

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