By Rajnish (“Raj”) Mago, MD (bio)
Each of the following meditation apps is very well-known, but each person may find one of them more helpful than the others. If possible, it may be helpful to try the free versions of each of the following apps before deciding which one (or more than one) you want to continue with.
Note: The apps are listed below in no particular order.
Happier
(Previously called “10% Happier”)
Here is a link to their website.
The Happier app offers a 7-day free trial. The annual subscription is $$99.99/year, and the monthly subscription is $14.99/month. Anyone who has a paid subscription to the Happier app can give you a 30-day free trial. At the end of the 30 days, they may encourage you to continue by getting the paid annual subscription at 50% off the regular price.
They offer several free meditations:
– In the app: According to their website—”The Dalai Lama’s Guide to Happiness is always free and we sometimes offer other courses free for a limited time.”
– On their website at this link.
Calm
Here is a link to their website.
The Calm app offers a 14-day free trial. Their subscription is $69.99 per year for one person and $99.99 per year for a family (up to 6 people). But they regularly have a 40% off sale.
I first tried the free version, then bought a one-year subscription, and finally, bought a lifetime subscription to the Calm app during their Black Friday sale in 2024 for only $160!
Headspace
The Headspace app offers 14-day or 7-day free trials depending on whether one is considering a yearly or monthly subscription.
Buddhify
Here is a link to their website
I have used this app and found that it really is different from the other apps in that it has meditations that one can do when one is not at home—meditations that focus on what the person is doing at that time.
Their optional yearly membership costs $30 per year.
Insight Timer
Here is a link to their website.
For their most popular meditations, click here.
Available on iOS. Click here for more information.
Available on Android. Click here for more information.
Disclaimer: Simple and Practical Medical Education and Rajnish Mago, MD, are not affiliated in any way with these apps or the organizations related to them. The information on this page is provided for general information only.
Related pages
Meditation and Relaxation
Relaxation practice: A simple and powerful tool for anxiety, tension, and insomnia
Best books on mindfulness meditation
Add mindfulness meditation as a treatment (Interview with Seema Desai, MD)
Top 10 Free Self-Help Apps for Meditation and Mindfulness
Quotes about meditation
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