Updated August 1, 2022. Meditation has been used to reach spiritual enlightenment, attain higher wisdom and embrace a peaceful state of mind for centuries. Today, science is recognizing it as a powerful tool in the fight against mental health issues like anxiety, depression and PTSD, while people everywhere are adding this mental wellness practice to their daily routines to relieve stress quickly. We’ll share the best meditation apps help you master this powerful mental hygiene practice and experience the benefits of meditation for yourself.
Whether you’re interested in adopting a regular meditation practice for spiritual, mental, or physical health, it’s never a bad idea to get started with something that has been proven to boost well-being and fight against disease. Although in many ways, the digital age has led to greater mental health issues in society today, it’s also gifted us with the power to access information, art, or a guiding voice when times get tough.
Downloading a meditation app can be an easy way to integrate a daily meditation practice into your routine, especially if you’re a beginner. But with so many different types of meditation practices and apps out there, it can be overwhelming trying to find the right fit for you.
Here’s a rundown of six of the best meditation apps in the game and how to know which one is best for you:
1. Insight Timer
Simple, to-the-point — and did we mention free? — Insight Timer meditation app is perfect for the no-fuss meditator who likes to cut through the clutter and adopt a more minimalist approach.
The app is completely free, so you don’t have to worry about choosing the right package or payment system that works for you. All you have to do is login, tell the app how you’re feeling, and it will come up with a guided meditation suited to your mood at the time, whether you’re feeling bored, anxious, sad, or all of the above.
2. Calm
As the number one app for meditation and sleep, Calm is a popular choice for the average person looking to get better sleep, reduce stress, boost focus, or any other goal you might be looking to achieve.
The app costs around $15 per month, $70 a year, or $400 for lifetime access, so this may not be the option for you if you’re on a budget. However, if you feel like you’d be more likely to get into the habit of using an app you’re actually paying for, then the added cost might be a good motivator for you. Plus, Calm features plenty of guided meditations from celebs and public figures, so if you’re hoping to be lulled to sleep by the soothing voice of Shawn Mendes, then this app is for you.
3. Headspace
Headspace has a similar pricing structure to Calm, and they also offer a rich library of guided meditations for stress, sleep, mindfulness and more. Both apps offer a space to check in and track your mood as well as goal-setting prompts to keep you accountable.
Which App Is Better, Calm or Headspace?
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If you’re looking for a paid meditation app, choosing between Calm and Headspace will come down to your personal tastes, preferences, and how much time you’re willing to spend on your meditation practice each day (Calm tends to feature longer meditations while Headspace offers shorter, more beginner-friendly practices). When in doubt, give the free trial a go for both apps and see which platform fits your lifestyle better.
4. Buddhify
Taking a slightly different approach to other meditation apps on offer, the Buddhify app is designed to fit into a modern, busy lifestyle by creating meditations that can be done anywhere, anytime.
If you’re super crunched for time, Buddhify can help you kill two birds with one stone by engaging in your meditation practice while on the go or doing household chores. The app has an affordable upfront cost, so you don’t have to shell out a monthly or annual membership fee, which is also a bonus.
5. Simple Habit
Featured on Shark Tank in 2017, Simple Habit is a meditation app specifically geared towards people who are low on time and in need of a quick boost. Whether you have just five minutes to spare or 20, the Simple Habit app can help you improve your sleep, wellness, relationships and more through their daily guided meditations.
While the app offers some sessions for free, full access will run you $90 per year, $12 per month or $299.99 for lifetime access.
6. Yours App
Yours App is like a little sanctuary for your mind and body. This app focuses on reducing stress and improving your overall wellbeing through guided and unguided meditations for everything from tackling anxiety to getting a restful sleep. It has curated sections specifically for “total beginners,” children, and teens, so the whole family can reap the benefits of meditation. Yours App also includes music, sleep stories, yoga exercises, and expert advice curated to suit your moods and needs.
Yours App offers a 7-day free trial so you can test it out before choosing a plan. Their plans are reasonably priced ($6.99/month or $59.99/year), and they also offer special discounted pricing for toast readers such as yourself. When you sign up for the app here, you’ll get 10% off of a premium subscription and a whopping 55% off if you opt for the yearly plan.
