Calm's terms are standard for the industry but heavily favor the company by restricting your legal rights through forced arbitration and class action waivers. While the subscription and cancellation processes are clearly explained, the company maintains a strict no-refund policy and broad rights to use your personal content for marketing. You should be aware that by using the service, you are agreeing to these restrictive terms unless you proactively opt out of arbitration within 30 days.
Overall Score: 50/100 — ❌ Not Certified
Criteria Breakdown
| Criterion | Score | Pass | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain Language | 6/10 | ✓ | The document is relatively readable but relies on dense, repetitive legal boilerplate, particularly in the arbitration section. |
| Data Collection Transparency | 4/10 | ✗ | The terms defer almost entirely to a separate Privacy Policy, failing to provide a summary of data practices within the agreement itself. |
| No Unauthorized Data Selling | 5/10 | ✗ | The terms do not explicitly prohibit the sale of data, and the broad license granted to Calm for 'marketing' purposes is concerning. |
| Clear Cancellation Policy | 7/10 | ✓ | Cancellation instructions are clear, though the 24-hour notice requirement is a common friction point for consumers. |
| Clear Refund Policy | 2/10 | ✗ | The policy is strictly 'no refunds' unless legally required, which is highly unfavorable to the consumer. |
| Auto-Renewal Disclosure | 8/10 | ✓ | Auto-renewal is clearly stated, and the mechanism for billing is transparently described. |
| No Hidden Fees | 7/10 | ✓ | Fees are generally disclosed, though the 'additional taxes and fees' clause is somewhat vague. |
| Right to Delete Account & Data | 4/10 | ✗ | The terms mention account cancellation but lack a clear, dedicated process for the permanent deletion of all user data. |
| Fair Dispute Resolution | 1/10 | ✗ | The agreement forces binding individual arbitration and includes a class action waiver, which significantly restricts consumer rights. |
| Change Notification | 6/10 | ✓ | The company reserves the right to change terms with notice, but continued use constitutes automatic acceptance, which is a standard but aggressive practice. |
Red Flags
- Forced binding arbitration and class action waiver (Section 16) prevents consumers from seeking justice in court.
- Broad license grant (Section 6) allows Calm to use, modify, and distribute user content for marketing purposes without compensation.
- Strict 'no refund' policy (Section 5) regardless of user satisfaction or service quality.
What Calm Could Improve
- Include a clear, one-click process for users to request the permanent deletion of their personal data.
- Remove the class action waiver to allow consumers to participate in collective legal action if their rights are violated.
- Provide a more flexible refund window (e.g., 14 days) to allow users to test the service without financial risk.
This review was conducted by FairPrint's automated scoring system using the Gemini AI model, applying our 10 consumer-rights criteria. Scores reflect the terms as written at the time of review — April 30, 2026. Companies can apply for official certification at any time.