If you’re hoping to learn about mindfulness and its incredible mental health benefits, you’re not alone. Every day, more and more people are turning to apps to learn how to incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives. Of course, not all mindfulness apps are created equal, so we’ve made a list of the best mindfulness apps of 2022 to help you find the best fit for you.
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.
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.
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 to 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.
Best Mindfulness Apps of 2022
- Best Overall Mindfulness App – Headspace
- Best Mindfulness App for Meditation – The Mindfulness App
- Best App for Learning Mindfulness Theory – Waking Up
- Best Mindfulness App for Beginners – Healthy Minds Program
- Best App for Those Experienced in Mindfulness – Calm
- Best Mindfulness App for Building Daily Habits – Fabulous
- Best Mindfulness App for Self-Care – Aura
- Best Mindfulness App for Kids and Teens – Smiling Mind
- Best Free Mindfulness App – Mindfulness Coach
- Best Mindfulness App Featuring Yoga – Alo Moves
- Best App for Mindful Breathing – Breathwrk
- Best App for Mindful Eating – MEAL Mindful Eating & Living
Here’s a complete list of companies reviewed in this article listed in alphabetical order: Alo Moves, Aura , Breathwrk , Calm, Fabulous , Headspace, Health Minds Program, MEAL, Mindfulness App, Mindfulness Coach, Smiling Mind, Waking Up.
Best Overall Mindfulness App – Headspace
Headspace is an all-encompassing mindfulness and meditation app that earned 4.5 out of 5 stars from our independent review. It has learning tools, guided meditations, and mindfulness strategies for every age. Headspace costs $12.99 monthly or $69.99 annually and includes a 14-day free trial.
Pros & Cons of Headspace
Headspace Key Features
Headspace earned our overall best mindfulness app because its features encourage mindfulness and meditation to users of all ages, its program allows beginners to grow and advance, and it has a wide variety of mindful learning tools.
The Headspace app makes it easy for users to incorporate mindfulness into their daily life. For instance, the “Today” Hub offers a personalized program that promotes a mindfulness exercise or class throughout the morning, afternoon, and nighttime.
Headspace includes science-based mindfulness strategies in its other main Hubs, which are “Meditate,” “Sleep,” “Move,” and “Focus.” The “Meditate” Hub provides much more than just guided meditations. There are educational courses on various topics, like using mindfulness to manage anxiety, reduce stress, or boost self-esteem. It also has a special “S.O.S” section that delivers quick access to mindfulness tips or meditations when you’re feeling overwhelmed or panicked.
The “Sleep,” “Move,” and “Focus” Hubs help users understand that mindfulness is not just about sitting still. It can be applied throughout your day when working, commuting, exercising, eating, or preparing for sleep. Headspace has a diverse and extensive library of content that’s regularly updated. Overall, Headspace creates numerous paths for users to learn about and utilize mindfulness to improve their well-being.
To learn more, check out our in-depth Headspace review.
How to Get Started With Headspace
You can sign up for a Headspace subscription by visiting the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or their website. We recommend visiting the Headspace website to see if discounts are being offered at the time of your registration.
Best Mindfulness App for Meditation – The Mindfulness App
The Mindfulness app provides over 400 guided meditations and expert-led courses on mastering the art of meditation and understanding mindfulness. It’s easy to use and a great fit for advanced meditators and beginners. The Mindfulness app provides limited free content, and a premium subscription costs $9.99 monthly or $59.99 annually. There is a seven-day free trial, but it’s only offered with the annual plan.
Pros & Cons of The Mindfulness App
The Mindfulness App Key Features
The Mindfulness App primarily focuses on meditation and its role in mindfulness. While it has plenty of options for advanced meditators, it’s a great fit for beginners because it provides a ‘Get Started’ five-day course that includes tips covering meditation’s fundamentals. The teachers explain meditation in an accessible way and help new users build a practice through attainable steps.
Users can choose to do silent or guided meditations that cover various topics, like forgiveness, gratitude, acceptance, and self-care. When you click on a category, you’ll see a list of unique topics that help you be more present in specific situations. For instance, when you click on “Focus,” you’ll find meditations on dissolving procrastination, shifting attention, and relaxing while at work. The Mindfulness App helps members learn how to apply mindfulness to their daily lives through a growing meditation practice.
How to Get Started With The Mindfulness App
You can download The Mindfulness App through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Best App for Learning Mindfulness Theory – Waking Up
Waking Up is a mindfulness app that includes guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and comprehensive courses that help users understand mindfulness theory. The courses are taught by philosophers, psychologists, and experts in mindful living. Waking Up costs $129.99 annually on Apple and $99.99 annually on Android and includes a seven-day free trial.
Pros & Cons of Waking Up
Waking Up Key Features
If you want to take a deep dive into mindfulness theory and its roots in ancient wisdom, Waking Up would be an excellent choice for you. Waking Up was created by neuro-scientist and author Sam Harris, who aims to bring mindfulness into the mainstream. Waking Up goes beyond meditative relaxation techniques –it provides talks, lectures, and Q&As with experts, philosophers, authors, and scientists to help members gain a deep understanding of mindfulness.
Waking Up has three main sections; “Theory,” “Practice,” and “Life.” “Theory” is an incredible learning section that features lectures on several topics, like free will, the self, and enlightenment. “Practice” provides guided meditations, and “Life” is a newer section that Harris recently released that offers tips and strategies for a more fulfilling life. Together, these three sections ensure that users understand what mindfulness is and why it works.
How to Get Started With the Waking Up App
You can download the Waking Up app through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or the Waking Up website.
Best Mindfulness App for Beginners – Healthy Minds Program
The Healthy Minds Program is a free app designed by a nonprofit associated with the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Healthy Minds provides a clear path for beginners through mindfulness lessons and active and seated meditations. The app is free, but donations to the program are welcomed.
Pros & Cons of Healthy Minds Program
Healthy Minds Key Features
The Healthy Minds Program app is an excellent choice for beginners because it provides a straightforward step-by-step journey that goes through the pillars of mindfulness. It begins with the “Foundations” and then moves to “Awareness,” “Connection,” “Insight,” and “Purpose.” Each section provides a series of lessons followed by a meditation practice correlated to the lesson’s topic. Users can choose to do guided active or seated meditations and set the practice between 5-30 minutes.
In addition to the path, there’s an “Explore” section with single-session meditations and lessons that cover various topics, like stress, relationships, and emotions. There’s also an unguided practice timer tool that allows you to try silent meditations. The Healthy Minds Program is an inviting and explicit introduction to mindfulness. Because it’s free, it’s great for beginners who are curious about mindfulness but don’t feel ready to pay for a subscription.
How to Get Started With the Healthy Minds Program App
You can download the Healthy Minds Program App through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Best App for Those Experienced in Mindfulness – Calm
Calm is a mindfulness and meditation app that earned 4 out of 5 stars from our independent review. Calm is a great choice for those experienced in mindfulness and want access to more advanced meditative tools and strategies. 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.
Pros & Cons of Calm
Calm Key Features
One of the reasons why Calm earned our award for the best app for those familiar with mindfulness is that it has more of a free-flowing choice system than other apps. For instance, many mindfulness apps have a specific starting point and assume that most users are beginners, which forces many seasoned members to listen to mindfulness fundamentals before moving on to the next stage. Calm gives users access to all of the content from the start, allowing experienced users to bypass the basics and find exactly what they need.
Calm also has a “Masterclass” section that offers intermediate mindfulness courses on a wide range of topics like sleep, gratitude, and stoic philosophy. All of these courses are taught by knowledgeable experts, doctors, and authors. The Calm app also has meditations on “Mental Fitness” that currently feature celebrities like LeBron James. James shares how he manages high-pressure situations and utilizes mindfulness for better health and well-being.
To learn more, check out our in-depth Calm app review.
How to Get Started With the Calm App
You can get started with the Calm app by downloading it from the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or through the Calm website.
Best Mindfulness App for Building Daily Habits – Fabulous
The Fabulous app is a self-care app that helps users build mindfulness habits into their daily routines. Fabulous sets realistic and achievable goals for members to make positive and healthy lifestyle changes. There is a limited free version of the Fabulous app and a premium version which costs $39.99 annually on Android and $79.99 annually on Apple and comes with a seven-day free trial.
Pros & Cons of Fabulous
Fabulous Key Features
The Fabulous app helps users build daily mindfulness habits through the habit stacking method. Habit stacking is when you begin with a simple, achievable practice or task, and build upon it until it becomes a daily habit. This approach has proven to be very effective and can help users learn to be mindful throughout their day. 3 Fabulous provides a structured daily routine on the home screen that makes the program easy to follow.
Fabulous uses gamification terms and techniques to help users stay committed. For instance, it presents “Journeys” where you climb metaphorical “Mountains” as you progress through each phase. You begin with “Foundations,” which teach you how to build structure and strengthen rituals. The second mountain is the “Struggle,” which shows you how to make healthy changes in your environment. “Mastery” is the third mountain that teaches users how to reframe and rethink approaches to stress. It’s highly recommended to purchase the premium version to gain access to all of the journeys and challenges the app has to offer.
To learn more, check out our in-depth Fabulous app review.
How to Get Started With the Fabulous App
You can download the Fabulous app through the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or by visiting the Fabulous website.
Best Mindfulness App for Self-Care – Aura
Aura is a self-care app that provides several tools to help users transform their well-being. The app is designed to be personalized to use mindfulness to fit your unique mental health needs. The premium version costs $11.99 monthly, $59.99 annually, and it includes a seven-day free trial. Users can also choose to work one-on-one with mindfulness coaches or licensed therapists for an extra monthly cost of $149.
Pros & Cons of Aura
Aura Key Features
Aura earns our best mindfulness app for self-care award because of its personalization and variety of mindfulness tools. Users begin by answering questions in an onboarding survey that helps target mental health goals and areas of focus. Aura then uses its personalization algorithm to push recommendations that match up with your needs. It also uses gamification techniques to help users stay committed to their program.
Aura has an extensive library of guided meditations, insightful stories, and sleep-enhancing tracks. They also release new content weekly, so you can always find new inspiration on your mindfulness journey. Unlike other mindfulness apps, Aura offers one-on-one sessions with licensed therapists and mindfulness coaches for an extra monthly cost of $149.
How to Get Started With the Aura App
You can download the Aura app through the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or by visiting the Aura website.
Best Mindfulness App for Kids and Teens – Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind is a free mental health and mindfulness app created by an Australian non-profit. It aims to deliver essential mindfulness skills that can be grasped at an early age and applied throughout life. Smiling Mind has guided meditations that target a variety of topics for kids, teens, and adults. The app is completely free but welcomes donations.
Pros & Cons of Smiling Mind
Smiling Mind Key Features
The Smiling Mind app introduces mindfulness in a way that children, teens, and young adults can understand. The developers explain that the goal of Smiling Mind is to teach mindfulness at young ages so that children learn the skills they need to manage emotions, build resiliency, improve focus, and have strong mental health. The app begins with an introductory lesson that provides a clear and digestible definition of mindfulness and its benefits.
When choosing the “Explore” section, the content is broken down into ages to make it easier for kids and teens to find meditations that match their needs. For example, there’s a section for preschool-age children that has meditations that use teddy bears to teach breathing techniques, and meditations for teens that prepare them for making new friends in high school. Smiling Mind is a great choice for families to use together and build a collective understanding of mindfulness.
How to Get Started With Smiling Mind
You can download the Smiling Mind app through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Best Free Mindfulness App – Mindfulness Coach
The Mindfulness Coach app is a free app developed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that provides essential elements for learning about mindfulness. It includes a variety of guided meditations, educational sections, and assessments to help you track your progress. While it was designed for veterans, anyone who is interested in learning about mindfulness can benefit from the Mindfulness Coach app.
Pros & Cons of Mindfulness Coach
Mindfulness Coach Key Features
The Mindfulness Coach app is a terrific free resource for anyone curious about the benefits of mindfulness. It has all of the basics, which include an introduction to mindfulness training, a practice area to build meditation skills, an expertise section that goes deeper into mindfulness topics, and tools to track your progress.
The tracking tools are a great perk because they allow you to log your practices, set personal goals, and take mindfulness mastery assessments to see how far you’ve come. The practice log includes a notes section, which can be used for journal-like entries to help you monitor your thoughts and emotions before and after your practice. As you move through meditations and lessons, there’s a mindfulness tree on the home page that grows with the completion of each exercise.
How to Get Started With the Mindfulness Coach App
You can download the Mindfulness Coach through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Best Mindfulness App Featuring Yoga – Alo Moves
Alo Moves is a health and fitness app that earned 4.5 out of 5 stars in our independent yoga app review. While many yoga apps include guided meditations, Alo Moves has a substantial mindfulness section that includes various tools, exercises, and classes. Alo Moves costs $19.99 monthly or $199.99 annually and comes with a 14-day free trial with the purchase of either plan.
Pros & Cons of Alo Moves
Alo Moves Key Features
Alo Moves stands out as a yoga app that encourages mindfulness training alongside a yoga practice. Yoga involves mindful breathing with movement, so it’s incredibly valuable to use a yoga app with a comprehensive mindfulness section. The mindfulness section includes breathwork, meditation, sound baths, classes on personal growth, yoga nidra (preparing the mind and body for sleep), and reiki (a form of energy healing).
Members can try traditional guided meditations or silent meditations with various ambient or nature sounds. You can find mindfulness courses and inspiring talks on diverse topics, such as embracing change or practicing gratitude.
To learn more, check out our in-depth Alo Moves review.
How to Get Started With Alo Moves
You can download the Alo Moves app through the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, or by visiting the Alo Moves website.
Best App for Mindful Breathing- Breathwrk
Breathwrk is an easy-to-use app that helps members build a mindful breathing practice. It provides several tools to help you use breathwork to reach a specific goal, like enhancing sleep or improving athletic performance.
Breathwrk has a limited free version and costs $7.99 monthly or $76.99 annually on Apple, and $11.99 monthly or $59.99 annually on Android. Seven-day free trials are available, depending on your device.
Pros & Cons of Breathwrk
Breathwrk Key Features
Breathwork plays a significant role in mindfulness. It regulates our nervous system and calms the mind, which is why the Breathwrk app can be so valuable to anyone wanting to learn mindful breathing techniques. Breathwrk can be used to build a practice, or as a quick tool to manage stressful situations or panic attacks. It’s easy to navigate and can be helpful for breathwork experts or beginners.
Breathwrk provides a wide range of breathing exercises under five main categories, which are “Calming,” “Nighttime,” “Energizing,” “Performance,” and “Health.” In addition to guided breathing exercises, they also provide classes taught by breathwork experts that explain how the techniques benefit the mind and body. Members can build a customized mindful breathing routine by selecting a goal and scheduling a breathing exercise for each part of their day. Breathwrk sends notifications to help you stay on track and commit to your daily mindful breathing practice.
To learn more, check out our in-depth Breathwrk app review.
How to Get Started With Breathwrk
You can download the Breathwrk app through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Best App for Mindful Eating – MEAL Mindful Eating & Living
The MEAL app, which stands for Mindful Eating & Living, is an app developed by women for women to avoid toxic dieting culture and adopt mindful eating habits. It aims to help users have a better relationship with food and build a positive body image.
MEAL is only available to Apple users, and it costs $49.99 for a 12-week program and includes a seven-day free trial. The MEAL app is not designed for those struggling with eating disorders.
Pros & Cons of MEAL
MEAL Key Features
The MEAL app provides a structured journey for anyone interested in adopting mindful eating habits. Unlike other nutrition apps, you’re not logging every meal or counting calories. The MEAL app is geared towards building a positive body image, addressing the root causes of emotional eating, understanding portion control, and overcoming toxic diet culture. Every day, users see new video lessons from professionals, like nutritionists, CBT therapists, and mindfulness coaches, that explain mindful eating methods in clear and precise ways.
MEAL also includes expert-guided audio exercises that help you reflect on your personal goals and your relationship with food. For instance, one audio meditative exercise helps you discover why this mindful eating journey is important to you and identify your emotional attachments to eating. The MEAL app consistently drives the point home that every body is beautiful, which is an essential message in combating a negative body image.
How to Get Started With MEAL
You can download the MEAL app by visiting the Apple App Store.
Best Mindfulness Apps Comparison
| App Name | Cost | Award |
|---|---|---|
| Headspace | 14-day Free Trial $12.99 Monthly $69.99 Annually | Best Overall Mindfulness App |
| The Mindfulness App | Seven-day Free Trial (only with annual subscription plan) $9.99 Monthly $59.99 Annually | Best Mindfulness App for Meditation |
| Waking Up | Seven-day Free Trial $99.99 Annually - Android $129.99 Annually - Apple | Best App for Learning Mindfulness Theory |
| Healthy Minds Program | Free | Best Mindfulness App for Beginners |
| Calm | Seven-day Free Trial $14.99 Monthly $69.99 Annually | Best App for Those Experienced in Mindfulness |
| Fabulous | Seven-day Free Trial $39.99 Annually - Android $79.99 Annually - Apple | Best Mindfulness App for Building Daily Habits |
| Aura | Seven-day Free Trial $11.99 Monthly $59.99 Annually | Best Mindfulness App for Self-Care |
| Smiling Mind | Free | Best Mindfulness App for Kids and Teens |
| Mindfulness Coach | Free | Best Free Mindfulness App |
| Alo Moves | 14-day Free Trial $19.99 Monthly $199.99 Annually | Best Mindfulness App Featuring Yoga |
| Breathwrk | Apple: Limited Free Version $7.99 Monthly $76.99 Annually Android: Seven-day Free Trial $11.99 Monthly $ 59.99 Annually | Best App for Mindful Breathing |
| MEAL | Mindful Eating & Living | Only available on Apple devices: Seven-day Free Trial $49.99 for a 12-week program | Best app for Mindful Eating |
We hope this detailed guide for the best mindfulness apps can help you narrow your search for the perfect app for you. As you can see from our list, mindfulness comes in many forms! You can incorporate mindfulness into your daily life through meditation, yoga, breathwork, rituals, and even your eating habits. That’s why it’s important to reflect on areas of mindfulness that spark your interest and consider areas that will benefit you the most.
