Top Meditation Apps Of 2023 For Self-Discovery & Personal Growth

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We all know that meditating is good for you, but many of us are constantly juggling between work, family, and other commitments. As a result, stress and anxiety levels are at an all-time high, and people are looking for ways to calm their minds and relax their bodies. One of the most effective ways to do this is through the ancient practice of meditation.

Though an ancient practice, there are modern ways to easily get more meditation into your day. So in this post, we’ll explore the top meditation apps of 2023.

I’ll provide an overview of each app, including its features, pros and cons, and pricing. I’ll also offer tips on how to choose the best app for your needs and provide some general guidance on how to get started with the best meditation app. So whether you’re a seasoned meditator or just starting, keep reading to discover the best meditation apps of 2023.

Best for beginners: Headspace

Cost: Free 7 or 14-day trial – $12.99/month; $69.99/year – family plan for up to six users is $99.99/year
Platforms: iOS, Android
Good to know: Meditations are more aimed at beginners

Headspace makes meditation accessible in so many ways; there are hundreds of guided meditations for all kinds of categories such as; better sleep, reduce stress, and exercising mindfully.

Pros:

Easy-to-use interface and navigation
High-quality guided meditations with professional teachers
Comprehensive progress tracking and goal-setting features
Option to connect with friends and share progress

Cons:

Limited free content
High subscription costs compared to other apps
May not offer as much variety as other apps

The app offers a variety of guided meditations, ranging from brief sessions to longer, more in-depth meditation practices.

Headspace also provides themed meditation packs, such as those focused on sleep, anxiety, and stress management. In addition to meditation, the app includes mindful movement exercises, breathing exercises, and sleep sounds.

The app features a user-friendly interface, making it easy to navigate and select the right meditation for your needs. It also includes tracking features, allowing users to monitor their progress and build a consistent meditation practice.

Headspace has gained popularity for its accessible approach to meditation, making the practice of mindfulness more approachable and convenient for users. Whether you’re new to meditation or an experienced practitioner, Headspace offers a wide range of resources to help you improve your own mental health and well-being.

Best for a variety of styles: Calm

Cost: 7-day free trial – $69.99/year
Platforms: iOS, Android
Good to know: You can choose background sounds or music

Calm is another popular meditation app that offers a range of guided meditations, as well as other features such as sleep stories, breathing exercises, and nature sounds.

Pros:

High-quality guided meditations with professional teachers
Wide range of content, including meditations for kids and specific topics like self-esteem and gratitude
Option to customize meditation sessions with different background scenes and sounds
Comprehensive progress tracking and goal-setting features

Cons:

Limited free content
Higher subscription costs compared to other apps

Calm is a meditation app that offers a variety of mindfulness practices, including guided meditations, sleep stories, breathing exercises, and more.

It is known for its user-friendly interface, soothing visual and audio elements, and customizable features that allow users to tailor their meditation experience to their individual needs.

Calm also offers a range of programs focused on specific topics such as stress reduction, anxiety management, and better sleep.

Best for an extensive library: Insight Timer

Cost: Free – premium subscription is $60/year
Platforms: iOS, Android
Good to know: Over 150,000 free meditations most read by celebrities

Insight Timer is a meditation app that offers a range of both guided meditation and unguided meditations, as well as other features such as music tracks and talks from meditation experts.

Pros:

Large library of guided and unguided meditations, including those from various spiritual traditions
Option to connect with friends and join meditation communities
Option to customize meditation sessions with different background sounds and interval bells
Comprehensive progress tracking and goal-setting features

Cons:

You may find the large library overwhelming
Limited features compared to other apps
You may prefer more structured and guided meditations

Insight Timer is a meditation app that offers a diverse collection of guided meditations, calming music tracks, and talks from a wide range of teachers and spiritual leaders.

It is known for its extensive library of over 150,000 free meditations in multiple languages, as well as its social features that allow users to connect with like-minded individuals and participate in group meditations.

Insight Timer also includes a timer feature for silent meditation and practice meditation and offers courses and challenges for users to deepen their meditation.

Best for mindfulness in everyday life: 10% Happier

Cost: Free 14-day trial – about $100/year
Platforms: iOS, Android
Good to know: Great meditation courses, expert-led talks, and podcasts

10% Happier is a meditation app that focuses on mindfulness meditation, with a range of both guided sessions and unguided meditations from top mindfulness teachers.

Pros:

High-quality guided meditations from top mindfulness teachers
Focus on mindfulness meditation, which has been shown to have many benefits
Option to access talks and courses on meditation and mindfulness
Comprehensive progress tracking and goal-setting features

Cons:

Limited free content
Higher subscription costs compared to other apps
May not offer as much variety as other apps

10% Happier is a meditation app that focuses on mindfulness as a way to improve overall happiness and reduce stress. It offers a variety of guided meditations, talks, and courses led by meditation experts and teachers, and is known for its scientific approach to meditation. The app also includes features such as a personalized meditation coach, a daily reminder system, and a library of over 500 guided meditations to help users establish a consistent meditation practice. 10% Happier aims to provide practical tools for incorporating mindfulness into daily life.

Best for mood-based meditation: Aura

Cost: Free 7-day trial – $12.99/month; $59.99/year
Platforms: iOS, Android
Good to know: Personalized meditations and tracking based on user feedback

Aura is a meditation app that offers a personalized meditation experience based on user feedback and preferences.

Pros:

Unique personalized meditation experience
Focus on mindfulness and self-care
Option to track mood and progress over time
Comprehensive progress tracking and goal-setting features

Cons:

Limited free content
May not offer as much variety as other apps

Aura is a meditation app that provides personalized mindfulness practices based on users’ moods and preferences. It offers a variety of guided meditations, stories, and music tracks, as well as a daily reminder feature and a gratitude journal.

The app also includes a feature called “Mindful Breather” which encourages users to take short mindful breaks throughout the day. Aura aims to help users reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep quality, and increase overall well-being through personalized mindfulness practices.

Best for kids: Smiling Mind

Cost: Free
Platforms: iOS, Android
Good to know: Focuses on making mindfulness a daily habit

This Australian-based company offers a premium quality app for the entire family and all of it is for free. I am a bit of a data lover and this has data galore.

Pros:

Completely free
Offers a variety of mindfulness programs for different age groups
Includes guided meditations, as well as tools for stress management and mindful breathing
Features a progress tracker and reminder system
Can be used offline
Suitable for beginners and experienced meditators alike

Cons:

The app may not offer as many features or customization options as some other meditation apps

Smiling Mind is a completely free meditation app that offers a variety of mindfulness exercises and programs designed for different age groups, from children to adults.

The app features guided meditations, as well as tools for stress management and mindful breathing. It includes a progress tracker and reminder system and can be used offline.

It’s suitable for both beginners and experienced meditators.

Overall, Smiling Mind is a great option for those who want to try meditation without committing to a paid app or subscription.

Best for pre-sleep mindfulness: Breethe

Cost: Free – premium subscription is $12.95/month; $89.95/year; $149.95/lifetime membership
Platforms: iOS, Android
Good to know:: Playlists, readings & stories, guided meditations & masterclasses

Good app for when you want to reduce stress and relax, while some apps include meditation for focus and alertness, this mindfulness app is more for those looking to let go of problems.

Pros:

Provides a wide range of guided meditations, including specific ones for sleep, stress, anxiety, and more.
Offers a personalized meditation experience with the ability to customize meditation sessions based on the user’s needs.
Includes a “daily inspiration” feature with positive affirmations and quotes.
Offers a variety of soothing sounds and music to aid relaxation.
Provides a progress tracker to help users monitor their meditation practice.
Offers both free and paid options.

Cons:

Some users have said the app’s interface isn’t the easiest.
Certain features, such as personalized meditations and some of the more advanced guided meditations, are only available with a paid subscription.

Breethe is a popular meditation app that offers a wide range of guided meditations, personalized meditation sessions, and soothing sounds and music.

The app includes both free and paid options and provides users with a progress tracker to help monitor their meditation practice.

However, some users may find the app’s interface confusing, and certain features are only available with a paid subscription.

Best for on-the-go meditation: Buddhify

Cost: $4.99 for iOS users; $3.99 for Google Play users with in-app purchases
Platforms: iOS, Android
Good to know: Has a Wheel of meditation

Being a Londoner, I’m happy to advocate this London-based app – for the right reasons. Anyone in a major city appreciates always being on the go, and this app caters to people like you.

Pros:

Offers a range of guided meditations for different situations, such as commuting, working, and sleeping.
Provides customizable meditation sessions based on the user’s time, mood, and location.
Includes a “check-in” feature that allows users to track their mental state before and after meditation.
Offers a clean, user-friendly interface.

Cons:

No desktop version
No free features
In-app purchases

Buddhify is a meditation app that provides a range of guided meditations for different situations, such as commuting, working, and sleeping.

The app offers customizable meditation sessions based on the user’s time, mood, and location and includes a “check-in” feature to track mental states.

The app provides both free and paid options, but some users may find its range of meditations limited compared to other apps.

Best for breathing techniques: Breathwrk

Cost: Premium subscription for $9/month or $49/year with a seven-day free trial
Platforms: iOS, Android
Features: Master different breathing techniques

I never knew there were so many ways to breathe or the power your breath had over your mind. This is a great app to get you well-versed in the ways of breathing.

Pros:

Provides a variety of breathing exercises for different purposes, such as reducing anxiety and improving focus.
Offers guided breathwork sessions that are led by certified teachers.
Includes a progress tracker to help users monitor their practice.
Provides both free and paid options.
Offers a clean, user-friendly interface.

Cons:

The app’s focus on breathwork may not be suitable for individuals who prefer other forms of meditation or mindfulness practices.
Some users may find the guided breathwork sessions too intense or challenging.
Certain features, such as personalized breathwork sessions, are only available with a paid subscription.

Breathwrk is a meditation app that focuses on breathwork exercises for reducing anxiety, improving focus, and more.

The app offers guided breathwork sessions led by certified teachers and includes a progress tracker to help users monitor their practice.

Best for quick meditations: Simple Habit

Cost: Free; about $12/month, $90/year, or $300/lifetime for premium
Platforms: iOS, Android
Good to know: 5-minute meditations

The recommended time needed to meditate is 10 – 15 minutes, but sometimes you need some help getting to those 10 minutes. 5 minutes is a great starting point.

Pros:

Offers a range of guided meditations from a variety of teachers.
Provides personalized recommendations based on the user’s goals and preferences.
Includes a progress tracker to help users monitor their meditation practice.
Offers a clean, user-friendly interface.
Provides both free and paid options.

Cons:

Certain features, such as personalized recommendations, are only available with a paid subscription.
Some users may find the app’s range of meditations limited compared to other apps.
The app may not be suitable for individuals who prefer a more traditional, unguided meditation practice.

Simple Habit is a meditation app that offers a range of guided meditations from a variety of teachers.

The app provides personalized recommendations based on the user’s goals and preferences and includes a progress tracker to monitor their meditation practice.

Simple Habit provides both free and paid options, but certain features, such as personalized recommendations, are only available with a paid subscription. Some users may find the app’s range of meditations limited compared to other apps.

Compare the top meditation apps

Company	Best for	Cost	Platforms	Good to know
Headspace	Beginners	Free 7- or 14-day trial; $12.99/month; $69.99/year; family plan for up to six users is $99.99/year	iOS / Android	Meditations are more aimed at beginners
Calm	Variety of styles	7-day free trial; $69.99/ year	iOS / Android	You can choose background sounds or music
Insight Timer	Extensive library	Free – premium subscription is $60/year	iOS / Android	Over 150,000 free meditations most read by celebrities
10% Happier	Mindfulness in everyday life	Free 14-day trial – about $100/year	iOS / Android	Great meditation courses, expert-led talks, and podcasts
Aura	Mood based meditation	Free 7-day trial – $12.99/month; $59.99/year	iOS / Android	Great meditation courses, expert-led talks, and podcasts
Smiling Mind	Kids	Free	iOS / Android	Focuses on making mindfulness a daily habit
Breethe	Pre-sleep mindfulness	Free – premium subscription is $12.95/month; $89.95/year; $149.95/lifetime membership	iOS / Android	Playlists, readings & stories, guided meditations & masterclasses
Buddhify	On-the-go meditation	$4.99 for iOS users; $3.99 for Google Play users with in-app purchases	iOS / Android	Has a Wheel of meditation
Breathwrk	Breathing techniques	Premium subscription for $9/month or $49/year with a seven-day free trial	iOS / Android	Master different breathing techniques
Simple Habit	Quick meditations	Free; about $12/month, $90/year, or $300/lifetime for premium	iOS / Android	Free; about $12/month, $90/year, or $300/lifetime for premium

What to look for in a meditation app

When it comes to choosing a meditation app, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key things to keep in mind when looking for an app that fits your needs:

Accessibility: The first factor to consider when choosing a meditation app is accessibility. Is the app available on both mobile and web platforms? Can you use the app on multiple devices? If you want to meditate on the go, it’s essential to choose an app that is easily accessible.
Personalized meditation plans: Many meditation apps offer personalized meditation plans that are tailored to your needs and goals. If you’re looking for an app that will help you create a consistent meditation practice, look for an app that offers personalized meditation plans.
Timer: A timer is an essential feature in any meditation app. Look for an app that provides a timer that allows you to set a specific length of time for your meditation practice.
Reminders: If you’re someone who tends to forget to meditate, consider an app that offers reminders. Look for an app that allows you to set reminders to meditate at specific times of the day.
Progress tracker: A progress tracker can be a useful feature if you want to track your meditation practice over time. Look for an app that provides a progress tracker that allows you to see how many meditation sessions you’ve completed and how long you’ve meditated.
Integration with wearables or other apps: Some meditation apps can be integrated with wearables or other apps, such as fitness trackers or sleep monitors. If you already use these devices or apps, look for a meditation app that can be integrated with them.
Community and social features: If you’re looking for an app that provides a sense of community, look for an app that offers social features. Some meditation apps have features that allow you to connect with other users, join groups, or share your progress on social media.
User reviews and ratings: One way to determine the quality of a meditation app is to read user reviews and ratings. Look for an app with a high rating and positive reviews.
Subscription options and prices: If you’re willing to pay for a meditation app, consider the subscription options and prices. Look for an app that offers a subscription plan that fits your budget and provides access to all of the app’s features.

FAQs

Q: Which app is better for mindfulness?

A: There are several apps that can help you with mindfulness practices, including Headspace, Calm, Insight Timer, and Ten Percent Happier. There’s no single best mindfulness app. Each app offers different features and benefits, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, all of these apps offer guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and other resources to help you cultivate a more mindful life.

Q: Which app is better, Calm or Headspace?

A: Both Calm and Headspace are popular meditation apps with a lot to offer. Calm is known for its soothing nature sounds, meditations for sleep, and daily calm sessions. Headspace, on the other hand, offers a wider range of content, including meditations for specific topics such as anxiety, stress, and self-esteem. Ultimately, the choice between these two apps will depend on your individual needs and preferences.

Q: How Do Meditation Apps Work?

A: Meditation apps typically offer guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and other resources to help you cultivate a regular meditation. They often have a library of audio and video content that you can access on-demand, and many also offer features such as progress tracking and reminders to help you stay consistent with your practice. Some apps also incorporate other tools, such as breathing exercises, yoga practices, and sleep meditations.

Q: Are Meditation Apps Worth It?

A: If you’re looking to develop a regular meditation practice, a meditation app can be a useful tool to have in your arsenal. They offer guidance and support, which can be especially helpful if you’re new to meditation. However, like any tool, the value of a meditation app ultimately depends on how you use it. If you’re consistent with your practice and take advantage of the resources offered by the app, then it can be well worth the investment.

Q: Are there any 100% free meditation apps?

A: Yes, there are several free meditation apps available, including Insight Timer, Smiling Mind, and Stop, Breathe & Think. While these apps may have fewer features than their paid counterparts, they still offer a range of guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and other resources to help you cultivate a regular meditation practice.

The takeaway

There are many meditation apps on the market, each with its own unique features and benefits. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced meditator, there’s an app out there that can help you improve your practice.

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