Gluvy
If you’re looking for a Luvly alternative, our top recommendation is Gluvy: follow-along video for every exercise with a countdown timer on every step, 229 guided face yoga exercises, about 34 gua sha and facial-massage courses, skincare lessons and guided relaxation in one iPhone app, for $49.99 a year. Face Yoga Method, FaceYogi, Koko Face Yoga and Mimika are other options if you want a different style. Full disclosure: Gluvy wrote this page, and Gluvy is one of the apps on the list.
Everything below is based on each app’s public App Store listing, website or help pages, checked in October 2026. We did not run hands-on tests, and prices and features change, so always check the current listing before you subscribe.
Quick answer: the best Luvly alternative
Start with our top pick, then look at the other options if you want a different format.
- Best overall: Gluvy (iPhone). Press play and follow along: a video for every exercise, a countdown timer on every step, 3-week plans of 5–10 minutes a day, about 34 gua sha and facial-massage courses, skincare lessons, and guided breathing, body scan, sleep and stress-relief sessions. One App Store billing route, $49.99 a year.
- Other options: Face Yoga Method is built around teacher Fumiko Takatsu, with programs and live classes. FaceYogi and Mimika build a program from your answers. Koko Face Yoga lists photo-based posture and symmetry tools alongside its daily course.
For a wider look at the category, see our guide to the best face yoga apps. For a head-to-head, see Gluvy vs Luvly.
Why people look for Luvly alternatives
Most people who search for an alternative are not unhappy with face yoga itself; the recurring theme in public reviews is billing.
Luvly’s Trustpilot page shows a large number of reviews. As of October 2026, Trustpilot’s own summary of recent reviews says people mostly praise the app’s design and guidance and the support team, while the main concern is subscriptions, especially unexpected charges and automatic renewals.
A big part of that confusion seems to come from how Luvly can be bought. According to Luvly’s help centre, there are three ways to subscribe: through the App Store, through Google Play or on the Luvly website with a card. A subscription bought on the website doesn’t appear in your Apple or Google account, so cancelling in your phone settings won’t touch it. That’s not unusual for subscription apps, but it is easy to miss.
Other reasons people look around are more personal:
- Content fit. Some people want more gua sha and massage, more skincare guidance, or a calmer, relaxation-focused routine.
- Format. Some prefer timed, follow-along videos; others prefer a single teacher’s voice.
- Price. Weekly and yearly plans vary a lot between apps, and between countries.
Before you switch, it’s worth knowing exactly what you want the next app to do differently.
What Luvly offers
According to its App Store listing (as of October 2026), Luvly describes hundreds of exercises and massages, personalised programs, skincare tools, breathing exercises, meal plans and a cosmetic scanner for checking product ingredients. The listing says it won a Webby Award in 2021 and Lovie Awards in 2024. It is free to download with in-app purchases, and it is available on iPhone and Android, with a website subscription option as its help centre explains.
If you need Android, meal plans or an ingredient scanner, note that Gluvy is iPhone-only and has neither.
How we evaluated the alternatives
We compared each app using only what its public listing or website shows, against the things people usually want from a face yoga app:
- Guidance format: video, follow-along timing, written steps or live classes.
- Range: face yoga only, or also gua sha, massage, skincare and relaxation.
- Personalisation: whether the app builds a plan around your goals.
- Platforms: iPhone, Android or web.
- Price transparency: whether prices are clearly shown on the listing, checked as of October 2026.
- Honest claims: whether the app talks about practice and routine, or promises specific results.
On that last point, it helps to know what the research actually says. The study most often cited is a small 2018 pilot study in JAMA Dermatology (Alam et al., 2018): 27 women aged 40 to 65 enrolled and 16 completed 20 weeks of facial exercises. Dermatologists rating photos saw improved upper and lower cheek fullness, and estimated age dropped from about 50.8 to 48.1 years, but there was no control group. Larger controlled studies are needed, so treat any app that promises a result with caution.
The 5 Luvly alternatives
Here is what each app offers, starting with our top pick, based on public listings as of October 2026.
1. Gluvy: our top pick
Best for: anyone who wants to press play and follow along, with face yoga, gua sha, skincare and relaxation in one place.
Gluvy is the app we make, and it’s built around guided video. There are 229 face yoga video exercises across 8 face areas: forehead, eyes, nose, lips and mouth, cheeks, chin and jawline, neck and full face. Every exercise has a follow-along video and a countdown timer on every step, so you never have to guess how long to hold a move. You choose a focus and follow a 3-week plan of about 5–10 minutes a day.
- Gua sha and massage: about 34 gua sha and facial-massage video courses, from jawline and cheek strokes to neck and morning depuffing routines. Our gua sha routine guide shows the basics.
- Skincare: skincare lessons such as Skincare Rituals, plus short article courses on topics like retinol, serums and exfoliation.
- Relaxation: guided sessions including Mindful Breathing, Body Scan, Sleep Ritual and Stress Relief.
- Habit tools: morning and night routines, reminders and a progress journal with selfies.
- Face analysis: an AI face analysis gives you a starting point and suggests focus areas. It is not a diagnosis.
Why it stands out: follow-along video with a timer on every step; face yoga, a large gua sha library, skincare and relaxation in one subscription; one billing route (the App Store), so you cancel in one place; $49.99 a year, which is lower than Koko Face Yoga’s listed $99.99 a year and lower than FaceYogi’s $49.99 a quarter over a full year.
Keep in mind: iPhone only, with no Android or web app; no meal plans or ingredient scanner.
Price (as of October 2026, US App Store, see pricing): free to download; Gluvy Pro is $49.99 a year or $7.99 a week. New users may see a one-time yearly offer of $39.99 in the app.
Other options
The apps below are listed factually, from their public listings as of October 2026.
2. FaceYogi
FaceYogi is published by Lollitech Ltd. Its App Store listing describes personalised face exercise courses, including a 7-day program built around your skin concerns, plus facial massage.
Keep in mind: weekly pricing can add up over a year; check the listing for what is included beyond exercises.
Price (as of October 2026): free to download with in-app purchases. The US listing mentions plans such as $9.99 a week or $49.99 a quarter; prices vary by region, so check the listing.
3. Face Yoga Method
The Face Yoga Method app is published by Face Yoga Method LLC and is built around teacher Fumiko Takatsu. Its listing describes programs, live classes and a membership option.
Keep in mind: live classes run on a schedule that may not suit every time zone; pricing isn’t clearly shown in the listing summary.
Price (as of October 2026): free to download with in-app purchases. Check the listing for current membership and program prices.
4. Koko Face Yoga
Koko Face Yoga is published by Mirai Clinical LLC. Its App Store listing describes a daily face yoga course, face massage techniques, a photo-based tongue-posture (“mewing”) checker and asymmetry tracking.
Keep in mind: the US listing doesn’t yet show enough ratings for an overview, so there is less public feedback to go on.
Price (as of October 2026): free to download; the US listing shows a monthly subscription of $9.99 and a yearly subscription of $99.99.
5. Mimika
Mimika: Face Yoga & Exercise is published by CM MentalGrowth Ltd. Its listing describes video demonstrations for every exercise, facial massage routines and a program personalised from your answers, with a daily routine of about 10 to 15 minutes.
Keep in mind: like several listings in this category, it describes appearance changes, so read those as marketing rather than evidence; sessions are a little longer than Gluvy’s 5–10 minutes.
Price (as of October 2026): free to download with in-app purchases. Check the listing for current plan prices.
Comparison table
This table summarises what each app’s public listing shows as of October 2026. Prices are US App Store prices where shown; “check listing” means the price wasn’t clear from the public listing.
| App | Publisher | Video guidance | Gua sha / massage | Skincare content | Platforms checked | Price (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gluvy (top pick) | Gluvy | Video for every exercise, timer on every step | About 34 gua sha and massage courses | Skincare lessons and article courses | iPhone only | Free download; $49.99/year or $7.99/week |
| Luvly | Gismart | Yes | Massages | Skincare tools, ingredient scanner | iPhone, Android, web subscription | Free download; check listing |
| FaceYogi | Lollitech | Exercise courses | Massage | Check listing | iPhone (App Store) | Free download; from $9.99/week or $49.99/quarter |
| Face Yoga Method | Face Yoga Method LLC | Programs and live classes | Check listing | Check listing | iPhone (App Store) | Free download; check listing |
| Koko Face Yoga | Mirai Clinical | Daily course | Face massage | Check listing | iPhone (App Store) | Free download; $9.99/month or $99.99/year |
| Mimika | CM MentalGrowth | Video for every exercise | Massage routines | Check listing | iPhone (App Store) | Free download; check listing |
“Platforms checked” means the store we confirmed. Some of these apps may also be on Google Play, so search there if you use Android.
How to switch from Luvly
Switching is mostly about cancelling cleanly, so start by finding out where you pay for Luvly.
1. Find out where you subscribed
Luvly’s help centre lists three billing routes. A receipt from Apple, or “Apple” on your bank statement, points to the App Store. An order number from Google Play points to Android. If neither applies, you probably subscribed on the Luvly website with a card.
2. Cancel in the right place
- App Store: open iPhone Settings, tap your name, then Subscriptions, and choose Luvly. See Luvly’s App Store cancellation guide.
- Google Play: open the Play Store, go to Payments and subscriptions, then Subscriptions. See Luvly’s Google Play cancellation guide.
- Luvly website: log in to your Luvly account and cancel there, or contact Luvly support if you can’t log in. See Luvly’s web subscription guide.
Luvly’s help centre notes that deleting the app or your account does not cancel a subscription, so cancel first. Take a screenshot of the confirmation and keep an eye on your next statement.
3. Start fresh without overdoing it
When you start a new app, keep the first couple of weeks simple: one short session a day, at the same time, with gentle pressure. Our 5-minute face yoga routine for beginners is an easy reset, and the jawline exercises guide covers form for one of the most popular areas. Stop any move that hurts, and check with a doctor or dentist first if you have jaw, neck or skin conditions, or recent facial procedures.
4. Keep the billing simple
Before you subscribe to anything new, note the price, the renewal date and where you’re paying. With Gluvy, billing runs through the App Store only, and you cancel in iPhone Settings › your name › Subscriptions.
Try a calmer routine with Gluvy
If you want a Luvly alternative built around follow-along video, Gluvy is our top pick: 229 guided face yoga exercises with a timer on every step, about 34 gua sha and massage courses, skincare lessons, guided breathing, body scan, sleep and stress-relief sessions, and morning and night routines with reminders and a selfie progress journal, all in one iPhone app. See all features, check current prices, or download Gluvy and start with a 3-week plan. You can browse more comparisons in our apps and alternatives hub.
Sources
- Luvly: Face Yoga Exercises, App Store listing (checked October 2026)
- Luvly help centre (Gismart): App Store, Google Play and web subscription cancellation guides
- Luvly reviews on Trustpilot (checked October 2026)
- App Store listings for FaceYogi, Face Yoga Method, Koko Face Yoga and Mimika (checked October 2026)
- Alam M, et al. Association of Facial Exercise With the Appearance of Aging. JAMA Dermatology, 2018. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.5142
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Luvly?
Our top recommendation is Gluvy, the app we make: follow-along video for every exercise with a countdown timer on every step, 229 guided face yoga exercises, about 34 gua sha and massage courses, skincare lessons and guided relaxation in one iPhone app, for $49.99 a year. Other options include Face Yoga Method, FaceYogi, Koko Face Yoga and Mimika. Check each app's current store listing before you subscribe.
How do I cancel Luvly?
It depends on where you bought the subscription. App Store subscriptions are cancelled in iPhone Settings under your name and Subscriptions, Google Play subscriptions in the Play Store under Payments and subscriptions, and subscriptions bought on the Luvly website through your Luvly account. Luvly's help centre, run by its developer Gismart, explains each route, and deleting the app alone does not cancel a subscription.
Is Luvly legit?
Luvly is a real, established app published on the App Store by Gismart, and it has won industry awards such as a Webby. Public reviews are mixed: many people praise the guidance and design, while a recurring complaint is about unexpected charges and automatic renewals. Read the subscription terms carefully and note where you are paying before you start.
Is there a cheaper alternative to Luvly?
Prices change often and vary by country and by offer, so compare the current listings. As of October 2026, Gluvy Pro costs $49.99 a year or $7.99 a week on the US App Store, the app is free to download, and new users may see a one-time $39.99 yearly offer. Check the price table in this article and each app's store page on the day you decide.
Does any face yoga app guarantee results?
No, and you should be wary of any app that suggests it does. Research on face yoga is limited to small studies, such as a 2018 pilot study with 16 women who completed the program and no control group. Choose an app because you enjoy using it and it fits your routine, not because of a promised result.
Practise this with Gluvy. Follow-along videos with a timer for every step. See everything in the Gluvy app.
Download on theApp Store
The team that builds Gluvy writes these guides from the app's own face yoga, gua sha and skincare courses. We are not doctors or dermatologists: articles are general wellness information, and we link to the research where it exists.
This article is general wellness information, not medical advice. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist if you have a skin, jaw or other medical condition.
