Calm Radio - Music to Relax Reviews

by Little Mcboss

I was a regular free user and was actually thinking about shelling out the price for a yearly subscription but all the sudden the play button on all channels have stopped working. It’s been three months and I’ve tried everything to fix it alongside updating my iOS and still doesn’t work. I emailed them over a month ago about it as I used to use CalmRadio every single night but I’ve yet to hear a reply.

UPDATE: I sent an email to the address mentioned by the response in my first review on the same day they responded and STILL haven’t received a single word from the support team. Absolute joke. You’re better off finding a different app that actually works and cares about their customers instead of pretending like they do.

by PhantomPhan

I understand this costs money to run and so it’s necessary to charge, but this is one of the most expensive subscriptions I’ve ever seen in an app. With no way to test the channels and features that aren’t free due to the lack of a trial period, I would have to pass on subscribing, even if it wasn’t a lot more than I can afford. I’ll continue to enjoy the free channels a little, but I’ll likely get tired of having to skip over so many channels that are unavailable to me. It does look like a great app though.

Edit: The ads go on for several minutes each and they play way more often than is reasonable even for a free app.

by Hfhfgdy

Im SO disappointed that there seems to be an excess of christian instrumental songs played across many, many channels which do not identify themselves as christian.

I bought a years subscription with the desire to relax to music NOT so i could worship Jesus. Speaking as a person who used to be a devout christian and now is a firm atheist… i find this music unacceptable and rather offensive.

If i listen half heartedly, next thing i know i find myself singing along the praises to the lord without even realizing it. Other times i am actively listening and cant help but recognize the song, which then gets my mind occupied on all the many reasons i gave up the faith. So at the end of the day i am neither relaxed nor inspired by this cookie cutter music.

If you used to be christian, but like me have found a more sensible path to walk… don’t subscribe to calm radio… it will only annoy you.

On the plus side, CalmRadio itself works most of the time on my ipad. And it continues to play even when minimized.

by Mcnrpn

This would be an awesome radio app except for the commercials to subscribe. Nothing worse than reading, engaging in a project or attempting to fall asleep only to be jolted by a “subscribe now for 30% off!” add that drones on for three or four minutes. Honestly, I would subscribe if I could, because the graphics and musical selection for every imaginable genre are truly impressive but it’s not financially possible right now; and being unable to endure the ads I deleted CalmRadio .

by VoiceOver User.

I’m a paid member of Calm Radio, and am now losing out. I love the music and atmosphere channels, and would give it five stars. The problem is that the new app isn’t VoiceOver friendly, as the previous versions were, and there is no in-app tutorial. Somehow, I finally got One channel to play in the new version, but am unable to switch channels or go to other categories. I tried Contact Us in CalmRadio Support section of the info page in App Store, and met up with a captcha, which has an audio challenge, but it doesn’t work! Please bring back the previous—and user friendly—version. I suspect I’m not the only person who finds the new app unnavigable and a real mess. To quote an old expression, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. The previous version wasn’t broken.

by Lilbangladesh

The new podcast feature is very glitchy. I attempted to listen to three different podcasts only to have CalmRadio quit on me. And then I don’t have the option of listening to the podcast again because it disappears forever. So tonight, I still have no idea of the history of Auntie Ann’s pretzels or what Stanley Tucci really thinks of Julia Childs because CalmRadio quit on me, and now those podcasts are gone, never to be retrieved. And while I know these podcast samples are short, I don’t think you intend to cut them off mid-sentence with the story incomplete.

I do not have any stability issues with the music channels. I’ve never had CalmRadio quit on me ever before until I tried to listen to the podcasts. Also, I think you went overboard with the quantity of podcasts instead of focusing on the quality. Better and longer podcasts would be better. And of course, they shouldn’t disappear forever once you’ve attempted to listen to them. Maybe disappear them after 24 hours?

by TK421-a

I enjoy Calm Radio, however, the new app - which has been out for a while now - is unacceptably slow and hard to navigate relative to previous versions. I have an older iPhone, but CalmRadio is not speedy even on the latest iPad Pro. I've been a Calm Radio subscriber since I connected to the service via http on an iPod Touch, and the underlying data streams have not increased in bandwidth enough to justify the significant drop in performance of the latest app relative to the Calm Radio apps in the past. Hope this is fixed soon. I'll echo some of the other comments that I have seen about keeping things simple, and if isn't broke don't fix it.

by TheSerendipitousSoul

I like the channel selection a lot and enjoy the variety of music. CalmRadio can be frustrating at times though, like this morning. It keeps kicking me out and when I do get in it’s freezing up. Also, when I go to advance past a song, I am only given the previous song to listen to or the one I just fast forwarded through. I think that’s a little strange but maybe that’s the way it goes. Again, when I’m in it and it’s working well, which is most of the time, I really enjoy it. Thank you.

by Iloveamerica45654343578

I’m a lifetime subscriber since 2014, I listen to CalmRadio daily and love it with a few small gripes. 1) App seems to disconnect a lot. Updates never fix it. If you try to skip a track, it cuts off entirely about half the time. I have tried using different IPs, devices, etc and it still behaves the same way, year after year. 2) Skip track function isn’t great. It wobbles, often cuts off the feed and if you try to hit it a second time it takes you right back to the first song you skipped. Still, it comes in handy for bypassing those annoying Earl Klugh and Joe Pass songs. 3) Like/Dislike thumbs seemingly do nothing. CalmRadio does not operate like Pandora and this appears to be an empty function. Okay, enough griping. The music selection and themed channels are great. CalmRadio itself is beautiful. Despite my grumbles, it’s really a great service and I recommend it highly.

by Ahjfjddndn

My biggest flex with CalmRadio is limited ability to download content. With audiobooks you cannot leave app and return where you started. Also I teach yoga and love the availability of music that is perfect for yoga. I teach at a facility with limited cellular data so downloading content is a must for me. This would be my only reason for not keeping CalmRadio. What is available is fantastic. I just need to be able to download. This is why I cannot give 5 stars.

by Golflute

I suscribed as a lifetime member, as I had listened to the music selections with VERY LOUD ADS, on my whole home Control4 fine audio system. After I suscribed, I was told by my Control4 programmer that there is NO WAY to log in on Control4 and therefore have the ads removed.

I am sorely disappointed and would not have bought a lifetime subscription if I knew I couldn’t use the service without the ads blaring, which I had gotten for free ( and still do) .

I do hope that you will fix this. Many Control4 owners would subscribe; and as your service is available on my system, surely you can support or make available your own app into which I could enter my credentials and stream ad free, which I have paid for?
Listening on my phone or computer is NOT the same thing.
Please help.

by Anonymous277

Calm Radio works very well for me both on my iPhone and my desktop Mac. It has a great variety of music that I really like, including jazz and quiet relaxing music. I find it very reliable, though I had to change CalmRadio ’s default settings to fit my Internet connection. I like that with a subscription I can choose the video background and also can download some audiobooks to listen to off-line.

by Seadansor

I’ve subscribed to CalmRadio for almost 10 years. It was where I could find some of my favorite genres that just weren’t available anywhere else when I was living abroad. With it, I felt connected to home and for that I intend to stay loyal (as long as I can afford it). Now I rely on it for serenity, the guided meditation and binaural options are fantastic. Thank you Calm Radio!

by Alyssa383

I never write reviews. Too lazy to bother. But, two days in with CalmRadio, LOVE IT! I did the subscription purchase almost instantly. I have taken such an interest in classical music the last couple yrs for anxiety relief and general calm, I always just used one of my other music apps and create playlists or surf around to please my mood. With CalmRadio, its all there! The selling point that moved me to subscribe was seeing how they broke down the classical eras by composer/century/periods. I’m in classical music class with this device! Plus extras...meditation options, sounds, wellness options, and hey classic rock or disco or jazz (what jazz am I feelin at the moment??!). Great job on the creation of CalmRadio, continue to fine tune it although I have no complaints. Happy happy!

by Healing-Harmonies

Love the content and app! Having a place to go for safe sound healing with so many options is amazing. Are you hiring?? 🙂. My only suggestion would be if you can somehow program the tech so we could be able to have pre-set buttons with our go to favorite stations and the add on sounds we like. It would be amazing to push one button and the channel along with my 3 nature sounds just pop up!! Have a great day!

by Max Zook

Incredible selection of music and audio channels designed specifically for listening in the background as you work, play, relax and sleep.

Classical is broken down by era, instruments and composers, there’s also rock, jazz, rock, country and various ambient sounds … my favorites are Haydn, high baroque, and bebop, I’d appreciate a bluegrass channel but I’m not complaining.

Best of all, it’s seamless and free of interruptions: no ads, throttling or yak-yak, just sound 24/7. Well worth a subscription!

by Taltaltula

It really helped me thru the pandemic; not only with the meditations but the music; i can adapt it to my mood.
Really refreshing app, it had some issues before but it has improved.
I listen to this all day long while at work, meditation, meals even while I’m on the phone or watching a movie, the background music soothes me and relieves my anxiety. Even when I feel nostalgic I listen to vintage music and brings me back to those happy times 😊
Thank you Calm team for your great selection.

by RegieC12

We run this in our office at home, use Sleep timers at night. Not only helps focus during day, but we also use for mediation, prayer, mindfulness, yoga, then wind down to sleep at night.
We were very early users of CalmRadio years ago- - - discovered when pediatrician recommended for sleep aid for our children at night. Have been users ever since. CalmRadio is literally part of our lives.

Love the selection of music and “environments”. Cannot find this level of diverse music selection anywhere else!

by B De Z

this app (not to be confused with Calm
.com) has every mood and style, with classics from many traditions (think Chopin, Coltrane, Buddhist chants, etc.), and environmental sounds (whale song; forrest rain; ocean surf, etc)
that you can listen to alone or layered onto your music choice. It is very well worth a paid subscription so your mood isn’t interrupted by advertisements. Calm Radio has a sleep/wake timer, so you can fall asleep or wake up to your favorites. I play guitar or piano solo tracks for hours when I am working at my desk and have to concentrate. I LOVE it!

by Urbansync

I rarely write reviews, particularly 5 star ones, but Calm Radio is quite simply the best background music app I've come across - I have various channels on constantly and have recommended it to family, friends and even clients. Many of them are now subscribers too!
There are lots of music streaming apps available in CalmRadio store but what makes this one stand out to me is the obvious care and thought that goes into creating the constantly changing playlists - this is * not* Pandora! Evidently, real humans (with great knowledge and taste I might add) program the music and it shows. There are lots of bells and whistles (rain and forest sounds etc) but everything is built on a foundation of the exquisitely chosen music. I highly recommend you check it out.

by Heatism

Nice concept and lots of content, but very annoyed at their pitch for customers to subscribe to memberships every time you start CalmRadio and play a station. It’s not too bad if it’s 30 seconds or so, like most other services (and usually they don’t start off with it), but with multiple back to back ads that lasts for almost 10 minutes before starting the actual content, this is unacceptable! Was thinking of subscribing but this is a turn off!

by Dabnagit

Although there's too much overlap across some channels (e.g., Reiki, Sleep, Feng Shui) and some could use more focus (e.g., Gregorian), I still listen to Calm channels daily, and with SFX ("Delta") added for sleeping.

Since the last update (July 2017), it's had problems relinquishing the lockscreen, and the playback halts when it finally does let you unlock your phone. As with other past glitches, I expect this one will get fixed soon, too.

by AudiophileMD

I have been a lifetime member of Calm Radio for many years and really enjoy CalmRadio . I have favorited the channels that I generally listen to. So, the complaint that I currently have is that with the new upgrades, it is now six taps of the phone to get to listen the channels that I have a favorited. Would you consider making it simpler to get to one’s favorites, and once chosen, not require an additional tap to start the streaming?

by Valharp

I have been a member for several years, and listen almost every day. I’m perfectly happy with the audio quality and the selection of music - I have purchased many, many pieces after hearing them on this app first!

I would like to see a few additional features included:

- please open CalmRadio with either my favorite channels or the last channel played - not a random channel
- please consider making a radio playlist available - a list of the pieces played in the last few hours or more would be great. Very often I hear a piece on this app I would like to purchase or listen to again, but may not be able to get to the device at that moment to get the artist/composer/piece details.

These could make a great app even better!

by EssmanBW

Such a wide selection of great music. Alexa only gives me one movement of a classical piece which I request. My classical music radio station offers only one piece at a time. CALM radio offers so many choices of composers and genres to choose anytime I feel like listening. Plus, for each “station” they actually offer two choices, easily switched by clicking one button. I am totally pleased.

by Sumytram

I subscribed to Calm Radio many years ago. I have tinnitus and hearing loss from working around helicopters and heavy equipment. Calm Radio does not cure my hearing loss or tinnitus but it camouflages the buzzing noises with an arsenal of soothing music.

My favorite Channel is "Eric Henry and Friends", music that banishes the incessant buzzing and restrains the demons of PTSD.

Calm Radio support team is fantastic. The couple of times there were technical problems they quickly solved them.

by Leighpatrick

Definitely like the option to have still images instead of video. It has a lot of potential for expansion. I’d suggest adding more images and maybe a slideshow effect. Adding our own images might be nice but, for iOS, that might get a little complicated since we can’t access folders. I do like that you keep things simple.

by DLB-OK

I’ve been with calm for years and I wouldn’t think of not having it as I use it every day to go to sleep and to wake up on my home Sonos. I also use the iPad app for sleep sounds while I travel. I didn’t really care for the latest recategorization of the tracks though. I still can’t seem to find a few channels that I used to listen to.

by Bbarc2014

I love the choices I have with all the stations. In particular, I am really, really enjoying the updated Instrumental Christian station. I have on Calm Radio almost all day at work and typically choose only instrumental because it helps me concentrate better when I’m working. I love this change to the Christian station because I just need to have that as my background music right now.

by Crank56

I have a paid subscription so I can listen during the night. A couple days ago CalmRadio stops running after about 45 min. I have to re-click on a station to get it working again. 45 min later it shuts off again. What happened? It was a 4-5 star app.

by Cyberseniors 1223445

We have been long time members of Calm.
Tried numerous others, but always came back to Calm. The reason, it is the most enjoyable music catered to your listening pleasure. I have even asked for additional artists on particular channels we like , it wasn't a day or two and not only were what we requested added but many more.
Just recently I had problems receiving Calm on my Minimac. The Calm team kept working on the problem till it was completely resolved.
Now that is unheard of in today's business.
We can not give higher than 5 Stars or we woul, but Eric Harry and his team never stop striving to improve what is already wonderful. And it is backed up by service second to none.
Thank you and God bless you all at Calm Radio!
Peter and Meredith