After reviewing dozens of mindfulness apps, I compiled a list of my top seven picks. Key features like journaling, meditation tools, and educational content were carefully considered. While Headspace stands out as the best overall choice, each app on the list is budget-friendly and provides a great way to bring mindfulness into your daily life.
Our Picks
- Best Overall - Headspace | Read review
- Best for Beginners - Healthy Minds Program | Read review
- Best Free Mindfulness App - Mindfulness Coach | Read review
- Best for Meditation - Insight Timer | Read review
- Best for Building Daily Habits - Fabulous | Read review
- Best Mindfulness App Featuring Yoga - Alo Moves | Read review
- Best for Self-Care - Aura | Read review
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Top Apps at a Glance
Detailed App Reviews
- Cost: $12.99 monthly
- Free Trial? Yes
- Platforms: iOS & Android
- Features: Mindfulness & Meditation course, Sleep & Focus sessions, and Movement exercises
Headspace offers an accessible and versatile platform, guiding beginners with ease while providing advanced tools for personal growth. With its extensive library of mindful learning resources, the app supports users at every stage of their journey, making it a standout choice for mindfulness practice.
Pros & Cons
- Provides an approachable introduction to mindfulness fundamentals
- Encourages skill-building and progression to advanced practices
- Offers a broad selection of courses and guided meditations
- Features a free trial for the premium version
- Offers significant discounts for students and families
- Requires a subscription; no free content is available
- Student and family discounts are only accessible via the website
- Meditation sessions are capped at 30 minutes maximum
Cost
Headspace is available for $12.99 per month or $69.99 per year and comes with a 14-day free trial.
To learn more about pricing, read our in-depth Headspace review.
Overview
The Headspace app provides an intuitive way for users to weave mindfulness into their daily routines. Our team appreciated the “Today Hub”, which creates a tailored program that suggests mindfulness exercises or classes for the morning, afternoon, and evening, making it easier to stay consistent.
Headspace also incorporates science-backed mindfulness techniques across its main sections: “Meditate,” “Sleep,” “Move,” and “Focus.” There is even an “S.O.S.” section, designed to provide quick, accessible mindfulness practices during moments of overwhelm or panic. By combining science-backed techniques with user-friendly design, Headspace makes mindfulness accessible, empowering users to build habits that support their mental well-being.
To learn more, read our full Headspace review.
- Cost: Free
- Free Trial? App is free
- Platforms: iOS & Android
- Features: Mindfulness exercises, meditations, and educational lessons
The Healthy Minds Program is a mindfulness and meditation app tailored for beginners. It offers a clear, step-by-step approach that guides users through the core principles of mindfulness in an easy-to-follow format. Since the app is completely free, it’s an excellent choice for those new to mindfulness who want to explore it without committing to a paid subscription.
Pros & Cons
- Available for free with no cost to download
- Offers a structured approach that’s great for beginners
- Each meditation session is paired with a relevant mindfulness lesson
- No option to download lessons or practices for offline use
- Some users might find the instructors speak too quickly
- Occasional issues with tracking completed lessons or practices
Cost
The Healthy Minds Program app is completely free to use, though donations are appreciated to support its development.
Overview
We found the Healthy Minds Program app to be a great starting point for mindfulness, offering a clear and structured journey through its core principles. It begins with “Foundations” and progresses through “Awareness,” “Connection,” “Insight,” and “Purpose.” Each section includes lessons followed by a meditation practice that directly relates to the topic.
One of the features our team really liked was the flexibility to choose between guided active or seated meditations, with session lengths ranging from 5 to 30 minutes. Beyond the main path, the app also includes an “Explore” section with single-session meditations and lessons on topics like stress, relationships, and emotions. There’s even an unguided timer for silent meditation.
Since the app is free, it’s a great option for anyone curious about mindfulness but hesitant to commit to a paid program. We appreciated how straightforward and welcoming the experience was, making it easy to get started.
- Cost: Free
- Free Trial? App is Free
- Platforms: iOS & Android
- Features: Mindfulness exercises, Meditations, and Educational lessons
Mindfulness Coach is a free app designed to provide valuable resources for anyone interested in exploring mindfulness. It earned recognition as the best free option thanks to its extensive content library, offering users a wide range of tools and practices without any cost.
Pros & Cons
- Free comprehensive mindfulness training and meditations
- Progress tracking to help monitor growth and consistency
- Ideal for beginners starting their mindfulness journey
- Offers a wide range of guided meditation options
- Interface is slightly outdated and can be confusing to navigate
- Lessons are available only in text format, with no audio versions
- May not be the best choice for those with prior mindfulness experience
Cost
Mindfulness Coach is entirely free to use.
Overview
Mindfulness Coach is an excellent no-cost resource for anyone interested in learning about mindfulness. The app covers all the basics, offering introductory training, practice areas to strengthen meditation skills, in-depth lessons on mindfulness concepts, and tools to track personal growth.
One standout feature is its tracking system, which lets you log meditation sessions, set personal goals, and take assessments to measure your progress over time. The practice log also includes a notes section, perfect for reflecting on your thoughts and emotions before and after each session. As you complete lessons and meditations, the app’s interactive mindfulness tree on the home screen visually tracks your journey by growing with each milestone.
- Cost: $59.99 annually
- Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
- Platforms: iOS & Android
- Features: Mindfulness & meditation courses, yoga lessons, mood tracking, workshops, mentoring & educational lessons
Insight Timer is a highly adaptable meditation app, offering an extensive selection of free guided meditations. With its focus on making mindfulness both easy and engaging, it boasts one of the most comprehensive collections of free content. Its wide range of options and user-friendly design make it my top pick for the Best Meditation App.
Pros & Cons
- Completely free and open to all users
- Access to over 120,000 guided meditations with no ads
- Offers free, beginner-friendly live yoga classes
- Includes a community hub to connect with others who share similar interests
- Multi-session meditation courses require a premium subscription
- Some courses may be more suitable for experienced meditators
- Workshops and private mentoring come with additional costs
Cost
Insight Timer costs $59.99 annually and comes with a 7-day free trial. The app does offer a wide range of content available for free, but the Member Plus subscription gives access to the full library of meditations.
To learn more about pricing, read our in-depth Insight Timer review.
Overview
Insight Timer is a powerful tool for cultivating a long-term meditation practice, with its expansive collection of free guided sessions that can keep users engaged over time. Its straightforward design helps newcomers ease into mindfulness, while calming background sounds, white noise options, and a vibrant online community provide additional support for relaxation and meaningful connections.
For those seeking a more tailored experience, the Member Plus subscription unlocks access to advanced meditation courses and practical features like fast-forwarding, rewinding, and session bookmarking. Users can follow their preferred instructors, explore continuously updated content, and benefit from progress tracking. The app also offers detailed instructor profiles, giving users insight into their backgrounds and expertise for a more enriching meditation journey.
To learn more, read our full Insight Timer review.
- Cost: $19.99 monthly
- Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
- Platforms: iOS & Android
- Features: Habit-building exercises and tools, and educational materials
The Fabulous app focuses on creating sustainable self-care and mindfulness habits using the habit-stacking method, a strategy where small, simple actions gradually build into lasting routines. This approach, combined with its structured daily guidance, earned it the title of Best for Building Daily Habits.
Pros & Cons
- Simple, effective strategies for integrating mindfulness into everyday life
- Small, achievable daily habits that help users meet realistic goals
- Access to discussion boards fosters a sense of community and shared growth
- Engaging animations and audio cues keep users motivated and on track
- Features vary based on the user’s operating system
- The free version is limited in functionality
- Pricing can be confusing depending on the device or subscription platform
- Some tools and features are difficult to locate
Cost
The Fabulous app offers a limited free version, but to access its full suite of features, you’ll need the premium plan. The app costs $19.99 monthly and does include a seven-day free trial.
To learn more about pricing, read our in-depth Fabulous App review.
Overview
Fabulous helps users integrate mindfulness and self-care through a guided approach that’s easy to follow. By starting with small, manageable tasks and building on them over time, users can develop positive habits that stick. The app’s home screen provides a clear, structured routine that breaks tasks into achievable steps, making it ideal for anyone seeking to incorporate mindfulness without feeling overwhelmed.
One of Fabulous’s standout features is its use of gamification to create an engaging experience. Users embark on “Journeys” that take them through various stages of personal growth, referred to as “Mountains.” The first mountain, Foundations, focuses on creating structure and establishing healthy rituals. The second, Struggle, helps users adjust their environment to support change, while the third, Mastery, teaches strategies for managing stress and reframing challenges. Unlocking the premium version is highly recommended, as it provides access to the full range of journeys and personalized challenges.
To learn more, read our full Fabulous App review.
- Cost: $19.99 monthly
- Free Trial? Yes, 14 days
- Platforms: iOS & Android
- Features: Mindfulness & meditation courses, yoga lessons, breathwork, sound baths, and yoga nidra
Alo Moves is an online yoga and mindfulness platform that seamlessly integrates physical practice with mental clarity. Recognized as the Best Mindfulness App with Yoga, it offers more than just workouts by promoting mindfulness through meditation, breathwork, and calming practices.
Pros & Cons
- Combines mindfulness practices with yoga for a holistic experience
- Professionally produced classes set in serene, visually calming locations
- New classes and content are added every week
- The filter and search tool can be tricky to use
- Some classes may feel overwhelming for beginners
- No free content; a subscription is required to access the full library
Cost
Alo Moves costs $19.99 monthly or $199.99 annually. Both plans include a 14-day free trial, giving users a chance to explore the app’s extensive offerings before committing.
To learn more about pricing, read our in-depth Alo Moves review.
Overview
Alo Moves stands out by enhancing traditional yoga sessions with mindfulness-focused classes designed to deepen your overall well-being. Yoga, naturally centered on mindful movement and breathing, is further enriched by the app’s dedicated mindfulness section. This section includes practices like breathwork, meditation, sound baths, yoga nidra, and reiki.
Users can choose between guided meditations and silent sessions accompanied by soothing ambient or nature sounds. The app also offers mindfulness courses and motivational talks on topics like cultivating gratitude and embracing life changes, helping users apply mindfulness beyond the mat.
- Cost: $11.99 monthly or $59.99 annually
- Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
- Platforms: iOS & Android
- Features: Mindfulness & meditation courses, CBT tools, hypnosis, ASMR, breathwork, & music
Aura is a comprehensive mental wellness app that offers a wide range of features, including mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), sleep improvement tools, and more. Its highly personalized approach and diverse mindfulness offerings earned it the title of Best Mindfulness App for Self-Care.
Pros & Cons
- Customizes a self-care routine based on your individual needs and progress
- Continuously updates recommendations as you advance through the program
- Prioritizes sleep as an essential part of overall mental well-being
- Offers a large collection of guided meditations, stories, and expert-led lessons
- Occasional issues with the app crashing during sessions
- Limited search and filter functionality can make finding specific content challenging
- Pricing for one-on-one coaching isn’t immediately transparent
Cost
Aura’s premium subscription costs $11.99 monthly or $59.99 annually, both of which include a seven-day free trial. Users seeking personalized guidance can also access one-on-one sessions with licensed therapists or mindfulness coaches for an additional $149 per month.
Overview
Aura begins with an onboarding survey that identifies your mental health goals and key areas of focus, allowing the app to tailor recommendations to your specific needs. The app’s personalization engine suggests guided meditations, stories, and sleep tracks designed to support emotional well-being and stress management. As you progress, Aura continues to adapt its suggestions, keeping the experience fresh and relevant.
Gamification techniques, like tracking milestones and unlocking new content, help keep users motivated and committed to their self-care journey. The extensive content library is updated weekly, offering a steady flow of new meditations, lessons, and sleep tools to support relaxation and personal growth.
What sets Aura apart is its option for one-on-one sessions with therapists and mindfulness coaches, providing users with the chance to receive personalized support beyond the standard app features. With its focus on customization, quality content, and continuous growth, Aura is an excellent option for anyone looking to prioritize their mental health.
Compare the Best Mindfulness Apps
Cost | $12.99 monthly | Free | Free | $59.99 annually | $19.99 monthly | $19.99 monthly | $11.99 monthly |
Free Trial? | Yes, 14 days | App is free | App is free | Yes, 7 days | Yes, 7 days | Yes, 14 days | Yes, 7 days |
Available on Apple devices? | |||||||
Available on Android devices? |
Cost | ||||||
$12.99 monthly | Free | Free | $59.99 annually | $19.99 monthly | $19.99 monthly | $11.99 monthly |
Free Trial? | ||||||
Yes, 14 days | App is free | App is free | Yes, 7 days | Yes, 7 days | Yes, 14 days | Yes, 7 days |
Available on Apple devices? | ||||||
Available on Android devices? | ||||||
Other Companies We Considered
While exploring the best mindfulness apps, we came across several noteworthy options that didn’t make our top list but are still worth considering. If the apps highlighted above don’t quite fit your needs, here are additional mindfulness apps that might be a better match.
Price: $14.99 monthly or $69.99 annually
Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
Platforms: iOS & Android
Learn MoreShow less
Calm is a mindfulness and sleep app that, while not making our top list, still deserves recognition for its appeal to those already familiar with mindfulness. Unlike more structured programs, Calm offers a flexible, open-access approach, allowing users to explore its entire library from the beginning. This makes it ideal for experienced individuals who want to skip introductory content and dive straight into sessions that meet their specific needs. Calm has a limited free version and a premium subscription available. Calm offers a seven-day free trial and costs $14.99 monthly or $69.99 annually.
To learn more, read our full Calm review.
Price: Free
Free Trial? App is free
Platforms: iOS & Android
Learn MoreShow less
The Smiling Mind app is designed to make mindfulness accessible and easy to understand for children, teens, and young adults. Its mission is to introduce mindfulness early on, equipping young users with tools to regulate emotions, strengthen resilience, enhance concentration, and support long-term mental well-being. The app starts with a beginner-friendly lesson that breaks down the basics of mindfulness and highlights its key benefits in an engaging, straightforward way. Smiling Mind is available at no cost, though users are encouraged to support it through donations.
Price: $99.99 annually on Android or $129.99 annually on Apple
Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
Platforms: iOS & Android
Learn MoreShow less
For those interested in exploring the deeper concepts of mindfulness and its foundation in ancient teachings, Waking Up is a great fit. Developed by neuroscientist and author Sam Harris, this app seeks to make mindfulness accessible to a broader audience. It goes beyond simple relaxation exercises, offering in-depth talks, lectures, and Q&A sessions with leading experts, philosophers, and scientists, giving users a richer, more comprehensive understanding of mindfulness practices and their underlying principles.
Price: $7.99 monthly on Apple; $11.99 monthly on Android
Free Trial? Yes, 7 days
Platforms: iOS & Android
Learn MoreShow less
Breathwrk is a user-friendly app designed to help users develop a mindful breathing practice, making it a powerful tool for both beginners and experienced users. Its flexible features allow you to tailor your breathwork to specific goals, such as improving sleep, enhancing athletic performance, or calming the mind during moments of stress or panic. Breathwrk’s focus on regulating the nervous system through intentional breathing is what sets it apart, offering value whether you’re building a long-term practice or seeking quick relief in challenging situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Mindfulness?
In the simplest terms, mindfulness is being aware of what’s happening in the present moment without judgment. Many of us live in a fast-paced world of multitasking, rushing from one chore to the next, and worrying about one thing or person while attempting to focus on another. Practicing mindfulness helps us detach from swirling thoughts about the past or future and experience the here and now.
Focusing on the present is a cornerstone of mindfulness, but it’s important to understand that mindfulness is not just a technique; it’s also a way of life. Mindfulness originated thousands of years ago in the East in the Buddhist and Hindu religions and has evolved into a secular self-care practice in the Western world.1
Today, countries and cultures around the globe continue to utilize mindfulness teachings to enhance mental, emotional, and physical health.
What Are the Seven Principles of Mindfulness?
The Seven Principles of Mindfulness – as explained by Jon Kabat-Zinn, who contributed to the rise of mindfulness in the West are:
- Non-judging – Refrain from judging yourself, others, and your experiences.
- Patience – Be patient on your path to development. Don’t miss the present moment by rushing into the future.
- Beginner’s mind – Don’t let your past experiences influence your present. Move forward with openness and curiosity.
- Trust – Trust yourself and your thoughts and feelings.
- Non-striving – Right now, you are enough; the present moment is enough. You don’t always have to be completing a task or accomplishing a goal.
- Acceptance – See things as they truly are.
- Letting go – Learn to let go of toxic thoughts and negative emotions that can cloud your present. Let go of worries about your past or future. 2
Understanding these principles can help you learn more about mindfulness, what areas of mindfulness you’d like to focus on, and how to find the best app to embrace mindful living.
What's the Difference Between Mindfulness and Meditation?
Mindfulness and meditation go hand in hand, but they are two different practices. Meditation is a way of being mindful by dedicating a set period of time to sitting or walking while focusing on one thing, such as gratitude, patience, or compassion. There are also mindful meditations, which involve drawing all of your attention to the present moment –your environment, sensations, emotions, and thoughts — while practicing non-judgment and letting go.
All of our mindfulness apps showcase some form of meditation, which is a vital element of mindful living. However, remember that mindfulness involves the seven principles listed above, which go beyond learning to sit still and clear the mind of disruptive thoughts. Building a meditation practice is a terrific way to incorporate mindfulness into your life, but it’s not the only way. Things like yoga, journaling, and breathing exercises can also help you learn to be mindful.
What Should I Look for In a Mindfulness App?
Searching for the right mindfulness app isn’t about choosing the most expensive or trendy app; it depends on an individual’s unique journey of personal growth. When looking for the right mindfulness app, it’s essential to reflect on your path and the area you’d like to develop.
We have various categories in our best mindfulness apps list to help you find an app that targets an area that speaks to you. For example, you may already be familiar with meditation and want to direct your focus on breathing techniques, or you might be looking to build daily mindfulness habits that can improve your overall well-being.
Choosing Therapy strives to provide our readers with mental health content that is accurate and actionable. We have high standards for what can be cited within our articles. Acceptable sources include government agencies, universities and colleges, scholarly journals, industry and professional associations, and other high-integrity sources of mental health journalism. Learn more by reviewing our full editorial policy.
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Selva, J. (2020, April). History of mindfulness: From east to west and religion to science. PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/history-of-mindfulness/
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Kabat-Zinn, J. (2013). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. (pp. 21-29). Bantam Books Trade Paperbacks.
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Gardner, B., Lally, P., & Wardle, J. (2012). Making health habitual: the psychology of ‘habit-formation’ and general practice. The British journal of general practice: the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 62(605), 664–666. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp12X659466
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Bell, C. (2024). Headspace App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost & Who It’s Right For. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/headspace-review/
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Bell, C. (2024). Insight Timer App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/insight-timer-review/
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Bell, C. (2024). Fabulous App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. Retrieved from: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/fabulous-app-review/
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Sprintis, R. (2024). Alo Moves Yoga App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For. Retrieved from: https://choosingtherapy.com/alo-moves-yoga-app-review/
We regularly update the articles on ChoosingTherapy.com to ensure we continue to reflect scientific consensus on the topics we cover, to incorporate new research into our articles, and to better answer our audience’s questions. When our content undergoes a significant revision, we summarize the changes that were made and the date on which they occurred. We also record the authors and medical reviewers who contributed to previous versions of the article. Read more about our editorial policies here.
Author: Melissa Boudin, Psy.D. (New author)
Medical Reviewer: Kristen Fuller, M.D. (New medical reviewer)
Primary Changes: Complete rewrite of article. Fact-checked all information and reconsidered/made changes to the recommendations list based on research and product testing. Updated where necessary to improve factual accuracy and readability. Companies removed from list: The Mindfulness App, Waking Up, Calm, Smiling Mind, and Breathwrk. Companies added to list: Insight Timer
Author: Randi Sprintis, M.S. (No Change)
Medical Reviewer: Dena Westphalen, PharmD (No Change)
Primary Changes: Complete revamp of overall style; updated logos for all companies.
Author: Randi Sprintis, MS
Medical Reviewer: Dena Westphalen, PharmD
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