The Best Meditation Apps to Help You Find Balance
Many people find that wellness activities like meditation, which can help lower psychological stress as well as health problems associated to stress, are helpful in managing the chaos that is their everyday lives.
Meditation apps are a terrific method to ease your way into the world of mindfulness as well as a great way to maintain a practice (plus, you’re on your phone all the time anyway!). Given the number of alternatives available, the world of mindfulness may be a world that can be frightening. We have conducted research and made a selection of our favorites, which are suited for a wide range of users, including those who are just starting out, those who suffer from insomnia, and those who are searching for variety. Use this list to find the type of zen that speaks to you the most.
The Six Finest Meditation Programs Available as of 2022
- Best Overall: Calm
- If you’re on a tighter budget, go with the Insight Timer.
- Best for Sleep: Slumber
- Headspace is ideal for those just starting out.
- The most convincing argument for skeptics is “ten percent happier.”
- Sattva is ideal for those who value authenticity the most.
Best Overall: Calm
The reason we went with it is because it has a vast library of meditations, some of which are even narrated by famous people and accomplished artists. In addition, it modifies the user experience to fit your requirements according to the objectives you set.
What We Like
- Regularly refreshed with brand new guided meditations
- Provides access to a variety of benefits
- Provides a personalised experience
What It Is That We Do Not Like
- A limited number of brief guided meditations
There is something for everyone in Calm’s extensive collection of guided meditations; whether your goal is to cultivate gratitude, boost your self-esteem, or raise your level of happiness, there is something for you. In addition, a brand-new session of the Daily Calm’s signature meditation will be available each day.
When you first use the Calm app for the first time, the first prompt you see is one that you’ll carry with you throughout every practice: Take a few deep breaths and relax. After that, a series of questions will be asked of you in order to assist personalize and curate your experience. After that, Calm will choose the meditations that are most suitable for your need.
The unique add-ons are what set this software apart from similar ones in a meaningful way from its competitors. The Mood and Gratitude Check-in tool allows you to monitor and record your “emotional rhythm” and functions, in essence, as a miniature digital journal for you to record your thoughts and feelings. In the part titled “Sleep Stories,” you have the option of choosing from a number of celebrity voices, such as those of Idris Elba, Harry Styles, and Kate Winslet, who will assist you in drifting off to sleep.
The Spark provides its users with a short shot of motivation by publishing interviews with interesting people from a wide variety of areas of life. There is a large range of ambient music available, including songs by well-known performers such as Toro y Moi, which features less talking and more soothing music.
All of these are helpful tools that can assist you in maintaining your center throughout the day, and for the price of $70 each year, it seems like a deal that can’t be beat. This app, which has won multiple awards, has received more than 1.5 million positive reviews.
Insight Timer is the most useful and affordable option.
Why Did We Go With It? Insight Timer made it onto our list due to the fact that it is both cost-free and enables users to communicate with other people who are also working to quiet their brains.
What We Like
Free of charge
- A wide range of possible courses of action
- Provides a communal aspect
What It Is That We Do Not Like
- Does not have the same appealing visual design as the other apps.
- May be challenging to maneuver around at times
The cost of many meditation apps has been cited as a source of frustration among users. One economical option is Insight Timer, which gives users access to over one hundred thousand different types of guided meditations at no additional cost.
Gaining knowledge from seasoned instructors on how to relax the mind and lessen worry is a wonderful opportunity. Alternately, if all you need is a tranquil setting, you can choose from a variety of calming music files, nature noises, singing bowls, blocks, and chimes.
Due to the fact that the offers are free, they are not as well organized or structured as the other applications; therefore, it may take you some time to sift through all of the meditations and teachers before you locate the ones that are most meaningful to you. The good news is that there are many community features and discussion groups available to provide assistance.
Insight Timer is an excellent choice to consider if you want to test the waters in this particular area of wellness but don’t want to spend a lot of money doing so. There is also a premium edition of this app that can be purchased for $600 USD per year and comes with a free trial period of 30 days if you choose to take advantage of it.
Best For Sleep: Slumber
Why We Chose It: Because of its concentration on sleep, which, given that meditation is known to help with sleeplessness, helped Slumber win a spot on our list.
What We Like
- Specialization in the field of enhancing restful sleep
- You are able to monitor your development.
- The ability to personalize the music playing in the background
What It Is That We Do Not Like
- Does not frequently include newly created content
- Only a select few meditations are available.
Even though it’s not technically a meditation software, Slumber is a fantastic tool to have at your disposal if you’re seeking for a strategy to improve your quality of sleep. The app gives you access to meditation-centered guides that will assist you in calming your thoughts at the end of the day so that your body can begin the process of repairing itself.
The software, which costs approximately $40 per year, focuses on the most effective breathing routines and relaxation techniques, in addition to hypnosis, to induce a restful night’s sleep in its users. Bedtime stories, which can be read to either children or adults, and ASMR soundscapes are two additional possibilities for the evening. You can even keep a log of your sleep over time to measure how much progress you’ve made in this area.
The ability to personalize the nature sounds that play in the background to your liking appears to be a significant selling point. As an added perk, there is a function that enables you to keep the background music playing for a considerable amount of time after the meditation session has concluded.
Slumber makes around ten free sleep episodes available to new customers, for those who are not yet prepared to upgrade to a paid subscription.
Headspace Is the Best App for Beginners
Why We Chose It: Headspace stood out from the competition because it provides meditations of varying lengths, allowing beginners to gradually work their way into the practice without feeling overwhelmed by the procedure.
What We Like
- A layout that is simple to navigate and images that are charming and upbeat
- The ability to select and organize your work.
- An extensive variety of different types of meditations
What It Is That We Do Not Like
- Narrator variation is slim
There’s a good reason why Headspace is consistently ranked as one of the highest-performing and most popular meditation apps. It provides a multitude of well-organized guided meditations that are categorized depending on what you’re looking for that day—from staying focused and getting better sleep to managing everyday anxiety and stress and even a mindful workout. These meditations can be accessed through the app’s website or downloaded to your mobile device.
Headspace takes into account how much free time you have by providing brief practices that clock in at 5 minutes or less. This is in contrast to the recommendation of some professionals that an individual should engage in a total of 20 to 45 minutes of meditation each day. “Mindfulness for any moment” is one of the phrases associated with the Headspace app, which offers brief mindfulness activities labeled as “SOS” in the event that you are experiencing feelings of being overburdened or stressed.
For those who are new to the practice of meditation and may be intimidated by the concept, Headspace is an excellent option. If you are just getting started, you can find some direction in the course titled “Basics,” which covers the fundamentals of sitting still, resting the mind, and practicing breathwork. You are free to construct your own individualized routine whenever you feel you are ready to do so from that point forward.
The monthly fee for Headspace is $13, or it can be paid yearly for $70 ($5.83 per month). The free trial period for monthly members is seven days, while the free trial period for annual subscribers is fourteen days.
Ten Percent Happier Is Your Best Bet If You’re Skeptical
Why We Chose It: We decided to go with Ten Percent Happier because it is an approachable book that stays true to the idea that you are not going to be able to solve everything at once, but that you can work on better yourself in steps that are, for example, ten percent at a time.
What We Like
- A Wide Variety of Instructors • A One-of-a-Kind Chat Function
- Rejuvenating and approachable atmosphere
What It Is That We Do Not Like
- The contemporary method might not appeal to some people.
- The design isn’t really the most interesting aspect.
- One of the most expensive available choices
Anchor for the ABC News Because of Dan Harris’s on-air panic incident, his buddy and meditation teacher Jeff Warren became his primary source of instruction in the practice. In his book “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics,” Sam Harris remembers his experience of learning to silence the voice in his head, gaining control of his feelings, and cultivating happiness in his life. The Ten Percent Happier app, which has its origins in Harris’ own personal journey, features guided meditations led by Warren, as well as podcast interviews hosted by Harris and information contributed by various other instructors and researchers working in the subject.
The app takes the guesswork out of meditation by providing a streamlined experience with a diverse range of video and guided meditation options. Ten Percent Happier is an excellent alternative to consider reading if you find spiritual, woo-woo, or mindfulness with a capital M to be unappealing.
Sessions are led by well-known meditators who teach in a variety of techniques and approaches. They also hail from an extremely wide range of racial and cultural origins. If you have any questions along the road, you may contact your specialized meditation coach at any time through the My Coach function of the app. You will typically receive a response within 24 hours of sending in your query.
The purpose of the application as a whole is to demystify meditation and make it more approachable so that you can have a greater sense of mastery over your feelings and, as a result, your life. The annual subscription fee for the app is $100.
Sattva is ideal for those who are looking for authenticity.
Why We Chose It Because meditation comes from a long history, and it’s crucial to respect that history, Sattva gives you the opportunity to do exactly that.
What We Like
- Creates a genuine feeling throughout the entire experience
- Spiritual leaders with years of experience
- The capacity to monitor your meditative progress and to establish objectives
What It Is That We Do Not Like
- The method of meditation is not always suitable for everyone.
- May be challenging to maneuver around at times
This particular app tip isn’t for everyone, particularly if you’re seeking for a more contemporary take on meditation. If that describes you, however, keep reading.
Having said that, Sattva is a wonderful alternative for you if you are interested in having an authentic experience. It is based on the old Vedic method of instruction, which involves repeating a mantra either aloud or silently in your mind, and it brings in spiritual educators who have this special expertise and who have been practicing the method for a number of years.
The meditations start at a duration of six minutes, and you have a selection of different chants and mantras to choose from during each session. You may also use the community features of the program to share a playlist with other users, participate in group meditations, and take part in challenges and live events.
The only way to become a member is to pay a one-time fee that ranges from two hundred to four hundred dollars, depending on whether or not discounts are being offered.
Final Verdict
There are hundreds of different meditation apps available, and the majority of them make the claim that they can help you calm your mind and teach you a version of mindfulness that is comparable to what they teach. We made an effort to zero in on applications that not only offer a variety of guided meditations suitable for each skill level and state of mind, but also deliver something special.
Both Headspace and Ten Percent Happier offer contemporary perspectives on meditation, which makes them ideal for those who are just getting started with the practice. On the other hand, Sattva is founded in tradition, and as such, it may be more appealing to someone who has more experience. The vast majority of sleep-enhancing applications offer guided meditations to their users, but Slumber goes above and beyond the competition by placing an emphasis on the quality of sleep its users experience. And for those who are sick and tired of running into paywalls, Insight Timer is one of the few meditation apps that is not only free but also easily accessible.
Apps for meditation…what exactly are they?
The goal of meditation apps is to provide you with a portable zen experience that can help you relax and calm your mind while also reducing stress, increasing focus, easing anxiety, and aiding in the process of falling asleep. In most cases, this is achieved through the utilization of various strategies, such as breathing techniques, mantras, and/or training sessions. You can access mindfulness training through apps at any time and from any location.
Are Meditation Apps Designed to Guide Users?
The majority of meditation apps include some sort of guided component, which can be helpful for newcomers to the practice. However, the majority of them also offer unguided options for those who are more experienced or who would rather do things on their own.
How much does it cost to use a meditation app?
Prices are different for each app because of the different things that are offered. The annual cost can range anywhere from approximately $40 to $100 or more. On the other hand, the majority of apps provide a free trial period or a few meditations at no cost before they begin charging for additional content. Insight Timer offers a greater number of free meditations than paid ones.
How We Decided Which Meditation Apps Are the Best
We evaluated each meditation app based on a number of criteria, such as the quality of the guides, the availability of distinctive bonus features, and the app’s overall presentation. In addition to this, we thought about the price, how easy it was to navigate the app, and what other users had to say about it.
Insight Timer gained popularity due to the abundance of free meditation guides that it provided. Slumber stood out from the competition because of its specialized focus on getting a full 8 hours of sleep. It was brought to everyone’s attention that Headspace is not only beginner-friendly but also simple to use. Calm is the winner of the award for Best Overall because it is user-friendly and simple to navigate, it offers a variety of experiences, and it can be customized to fit the user’s preferences. We were also blown away by the number of customers who both highly recommended this app and rated it extremely highly.