Top Apps for Meditation 

Last Updated on May 4, 2023 by Tracey McGrath

Apps for meditation are a great way to make meditation a simple daily practice.  Apps for meditation make it easy to access great meditations anytime and anywhere. 

Meditation is a wonderful way to cultivate more calm in your life and reduce stress.  To learn more about meditation and all of its amazing benefits check out my article, Benefits of Meditation.  And grab a quick, free guided meditation from me to get started with your practice today!

In this article, I’ll share with you some of my favorite top meditation apps! But first, let’s discuss why meditation is so good for you!

How Often to Meditate?

Most studies have varying times for the duration and frequency of meditation practices. So it’s hard to pinpoint exactly how much time you need to meditate in order to reap the scientifically proven benefits. There is some evidence that suggests at least once daily practice is helpful to promote overall well-being.⁹ One study recommends at least 13 minutes per meditation for 8 weeks.⁸ Other studies indicate that the understanding of meditation is more important than any set amount of time.¹⁰ But any meditation is better than none at all.

How many meditation apps are there?

There are so many meditation apps to choose from nowadays. So many in fact that it can be downright overwhelming. I recommend finding one that resonates with you and fits your budget and just go for it. Start small with just 5 minutes of meditation per day. Any meditation that is started is better than one not begun.

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”

–Thich Nhat Hanh

Do You Need an App to Meditate?

Of course not! You can meditate anywhere literally. But research shows that humans value things that we pay for.⁷ When we invest in something we’re much more likely to actually use it and reap the benefits. Apps are convenient because most of us have our phones nearby most of the time. Apps for meditation are easy to access and search for exactly the type of meditation you want.

Here is a list of my favorite top apps for meditation so you can find one that is perfect for you!

Top Meditation App All-Around

1- Headspace – I love the opening visual on this app! It has great meditation options for unlocking creativity, mindful money, mindful eating, and politics without panic. It also has a great parents and kids section. You can search through guided programs like Managing Stress or search by themes like sleep, music, or movement. Each day you get curated options for a start-your-day meditation, an afternoon lift and a nighttime suggestion.

Pros: Lots of options; can invite friends for free access; has a stress check-in quiz

Cost: 14-day free trial then $69.99 yearly or also has monthly option $12.99 per month

Top Meditation App for Beginner Meditators

2 – Unplug – Unplug Meditation’s app is a wonderful option for anyone looking to start their meditation practice. It has a variety of teachers, styles of meditation and mini-courses all included with the annual subscription. Tons of options and ease of searchability make it great for beginners! Use my link to try it out for free for 30 days! UnPlug also offers an amazing meditation teacher training program featuring the world-renowned meditation teacher, davidji. Let them know that I sent you if you’re interested in becoming a meditation teacher!

Pros: high-quality videos; phenomenal teachers; mini-courses included

Cost: 7-day free trial then $69.99 yearly

Top Meditation App for Learning Meditation Concepts & Theory

3 – Waking Up – This app is hosted by Sam Harris, a neuroscientist and philosopher. This app has lots of teaching and theory about meditation along with wonderfully relaxing meditations. It has a cool option to set a moment of mindfulness for your day. Great for diving deep into the why of meditation and how it works to rewire your brain!

Pros: great insight into meditation theory; pop-up daily inspirations; can gift it to a friend

Cost: 7-day free trial then $129.99 yearly; scholarships available; family plan (up to 6 people) available for $189.99 per year

Top Meditation App for Learning about Mantras

4- Chopra – This app from Deepak Chopra features meditations directly from Deepak. There are daily recommendations for you and lots of themed courses around healing, self-care, and self-love. Deepak combines his knowledge of Ayurveda and meditation. This app even has a Dosha quiz! Offers celebrity guest teachers like Alicia Keys whose course with Deepak was amazing!

Pros: Lots of high-quality content; Deepak teaches; celebrity teachers; some free content

Cost: 7-day free trial then $69.99 per year; occasional free courses

Best Free Meditation App No Subscription

5- Insight Timer – This app is a wonderful resource for new and experienced meditators. There are tons of free resources to choose from. It offers a tremendous variety of meditation styles and teachers. It is easy to navigate and search by theme. I love that it opens with an inspirational quote. You can even go back and search the quote archive. There’s an easy timer for when you want to DIY. There’s also a journal option where you can jot down thoughts and insights. There’s a mood check-in option that you can do daily. This is a great way to be mindful of how you’re feeling and what may be affecting your mood.

Pros: variety of teachers and styles; free

Cost: completely free!

Top Meditation App with World-Renowned Teachers

6- Mindfulness – I love the opening take a deep breath visual. A great start from just opening the app. This app offers phenomenal, world-renown teachers like Jon Kabat-Zinn, Jack Kornfield, and Tara Brach. It has searchable categories like sleep, emotions, travel, and compassion. There’s a free 5-day Get Started course so you can see how you like it before signing up. It also has a stress test with recommendations.

Pros: Amazing teachers, free get-started course; stress test with recommendations

Cost: 7-day free trial then $59.99 per year or $9.99 per month

Top Meditation App with a Yoga Option

7- Calm – This app has the most beautiful visuals! I love the nature sounds upon opening the app too. Another quick win just from opening it! There are celebrity hosts like Jay Shetty and Jeff Warren. A cool option called the Daily Move offers a yoga practice right in the app. You can browse by goal, time, or themed collection. There’s a dedicated section on parenting and pregnancy section too.

Pros: Visually very pretty; yoga option; easy to navigate

Cost: 7-day free trial then $69.99 per year; Special welcome offer to get 40% off of 1st year

Let’s Connect!

If you’d like support creating your meditation practice, then book a session with me here! Or check out my digital course, Becoming Blissful with Mindful Art, for a complete system created to help you have more mindful moments!

Frequently Asked Questions about the Best Apps for Meditation

References:

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-may-ease-anxiety-mental-stress-201401086967
2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/mindfulness-meditation-may-ease-anxiety-mental-stress-201401086967
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858
4. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/meditation-and-a-relaxation-technique-to-lower-blood-pressure
5. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29549665/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3156028/
7. https://www.businessinsider.com/people-dont-value-free-stuff-2017-6
8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016643281830322X
9. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jclp.22489
10. https://internationaljournalofwellbeing.org/index.php/ijow/article/view/696

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