• Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
  • Mental Health
    • Anxiety
      • What is Anxiety?
      • Types of Anxiety Disorders
      • Signs & Symptoms of Anxiety
      • Treatments for Anxiety
      • Anxiety Statistics
      • See More Anxiety Content
      • Find an Anxiety Specialist
    • Depression
      • What is Depression?
      • Types of Depression
      • Signs & Symptoms of Depression
      • Treatments for Depression
      • Depression Statistics
      • Find a Depression Specialist
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • What is Bipolar Disorder?
      • Bipolar I vs. Bipolar II
      • Signs & Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder
      • What Are Bipolar Disorder Cycles?
      • Treatments for Bipolar Disorder
      • Find a Bipolar Disorder Specialist
    • ADHD
      • What is ADHD?
      • ADHD Signs & Symptoms
      • ADHD & Depression
      • Find an ADHD Specialist
    • Addiction
      • What is Addiction?
      • What Are Behavioral Addictions?
      • Addiction vs Dependence
      • Addiction Myths vs Facts
      • Addiction Statistics
      • How to Help a Friend
      • Find an Addiction Specialist
    • Eating Disorders
      • Anorexia
      • Bulimia
    • Personality Disorders
      • Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder
        • OCD vs. OCPD
    • Trauma
      • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • PTSD & COVID-19
      • Childhood Trauma
    • Sexual Disorders
      • Gender Dysphoria
      • Anorgasmia
      • Female Sexual Arousal Disorder (FSAD)
      • Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD)
      • Premature Ejaculation (PE)
      • Delayed Ejaculation
    • Schizophrenia
  • Therapy Techniques
    • Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy
      • Online Therapy for Teens
      • Best LGBTQ Online Therapy
      • Best Online Therapy for Insurance
    • Psychotherapy
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
      • CBT for Anxiety
      • CBT for Social Anxiety
      • CBT for Panic Disorder
      • CBT for Insomnia
      • CBT Online
    • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
      • DBT for Teens
    • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
    • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
      • EMDR for PTSD
      • EMDR for Anxiety
      • EMDR Online
    • Art Therapy
    • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
    • Exposure and Response Prevention
    • Group Therapy
    • Hypnotherapy
    • Motivational Interviewing
    • Person Centered Therapy
    • Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
    • Sex Therapy
  • Types of Therapists
    • Faith-Based & Christian Counselors
    • Life Coaching
    • Family Therapist
      • Child & Teen Counseling
    • Marriage & Couples Counselors
      • Premarital Counseling
    • Psychiatrist
      • Psychology vs. Psychiatry
    • Psychotherapist
    • Grief Counselors
    • Online Therapists
  • Starting Therapy FAQ
    • Does Therapy Work?
      • How to Find a Therapist
      • Helping a Friend or Loved One
    • How to Choose a Therapist
      • Finding a Black Therapist
      • Finding a Latinx Therapist
      • Finding an LGBTQ-Friendly Therapist
      • Finding a Therapist as a Young Adult
      • Finding an Online Therapist
    • Preparing for Your First Session
    • Types of Mental Health Professionals
    • Mental Health Insurance
      • HSAs for Therapy
      • Sliding Scale Therapy Fees
    • Mental Health in the Workplace
      • Asking for a Mental Health Day
      • Taking Time Off for Mental Health
    • Top Mental Health Organizations
      • Mental Health Resources Outside the U.S.
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Policy
    • Advertising Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Write for Us
    • Join the Directory
    • Careers
  • Therapist Directory
    • Find a Therapist
    • Join the Directory
    • Directory Login
Skip to content

Ten Percent Happier App Review: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For

Published: March 17, 2022 Updated: January 26, 2023
Published: 03/17/2022 Updated: 01/26/2023
Caitlin Bell, Editor of Consumer Technology for Choosing Therapy
Written by:

Caitlin Bell, MA

Mental Health Tech Editor
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Benjamin Troy

MD
  • Rating of the Ten Percent Happier Meditation AppRating Ten Percent Happier
  • Pros & Cons of the Ten Percent Happier AppPros & Cons
  • Where to Get the Ten Percent Happier AppHow to Get
  • What Is Ten Percent Happier?Definition
  • Who Is the Ten Percent Happier App Right For?Who It's Right For
  • Who May Want an Alternative to the Ten Percent Happier App?Alternatives
  • What Are Users of the Ten Percent Happier Saying?User Reviews
  • How Much Does the Ten Percent Happier App Cost?Cost
  • How to Get Started with the Ten Percent Happier AppGetting Started
  • Ten Percent Happier Free App: Detailed ReviewFree App Review
  • Ten Percent Happier Premium Subscription: Detailed ReviewPremium App Review
  • Ten Percent Happier vs. HeadspaceTen Percent vs Headspace
  • History of Ten Percent HappierHistory
  • Final Verdict on the Ten Percent Happier AppConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
Caitlin Bell, Editor of Consumer Technology for Choosing Therapy
Written by:

Caitlin Bell, MA

Mental Health Tech Editor
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Benjamin Troy

MD

Editorial rating:

Ten Percent Happier is a user-friendly app solely dedicated to mindfulness and meditation. The Ten Percent Happier app helps users build a foundation for their meditation practice and learn about ways to improve sleep and anxiety symptoms. Unique features such as meditation video introductions and in-app podcasts set this app apart and for these reasons, it earned 4 out of 5 stars overall from our independent review. There is a limited free version and a premium version for $99.99 per year.

Visit 10% Happier

Choosing Therapy’s reviews are the result of first-hand testing, thorough research, and transparent methodology. Our reviewers are editorially independent so you can trust their recommendations. Some companies reviewed may also be marketing partners. Learn more about our editorial standards, review process, and advertising policy.

Rating of the Ten Percent Happier Meditation App

Over the past year, I have dedicated a considerable amount of time to researching, personally using, and reviewing meditation apps. Not only do I use these apps for at least two weeks before writing a detailed review, but I also reach out to the individual companies to ask numerous questions about their products that users are likely to want answers to. All of this is done to ensure that consumers get the information they need to make intelligent purchases. I have been using meditation apps as a staple in my life since 2015 and Ten Percent Happier is one of the only meditation apps I have used to mainly target the symptoms of anxiety. Ten Percent Happier earned 4 out of 5 stars overall during our independent review due to having a decent-sized meditation library, a great user interface, and interesting extra features like podcasts. However, Ten Percent Happier lacks in specifically teaching mindfulness techniques and has a higher annual cost compared to its top competitors in the meditation space.

Ten Percent Happier Earned 4 out of 5 Stars - Learn More

Overall Editorial Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Detailed Scoring Breakdown
Variety of Meditations & Size of Library: 4 out of 5 Stars
Mindfulness Techniques: 2.5 out of 5 Stars
Interface Design & User Experience: 5 out of 5 Stars
Personalization: 4 out of 5 Stars
Extra Features & Resources: 4 out of 5 Stars
Cost & Free Trial Periods: 3 out of 5 Stars
Customer Service: 3 out of 5 Stars
User Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 Stars
Reliability & Longevity: 5 out of 5 Stars
Credibility & Expertise: 5 out of 5 Stars
Privacy & Security: 5 out of 5 Stars

Review our scoring criteria for meditation apps here.
Review our complete editorial policies here.

Pros & Cons of the Ten Percent Happier App

The Ten Percent Happier app is easy-to-navigate and understand, making it great for those brand new to meditation. Its topic-specific meditations are well-curated and helpful for someone looking to focus primarily on anxiety, depression or addiction. While there is select content for more advanced practitioners, they may be better suited with an alternative meditation app. Unfortunately, the free app has very limited content, so a subscription is a must.

Pros

  • All of the meditation courses include an introduction video with founder, Dan Harris, to prepare you for your meditation
  • There are great, topic-specific meditations and mindfulness exercises for those dealing with anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and addiction
  • A search function on each hub page allows you to find any meditation course, single meditation session, or teacher you want
  • The app features fully secular meditations, a good option for those who have shied away from starting a practice due to religious aspects of other meditation styles

Cons

  • They only advertise an annual subscription (a monthly subscription is available but you must email them directly to sign up), and they offer no current discounts
  • The favorites function only works on individual meditation sessions, not for full meditation courses
  • There are no soundscapes (rain, crackling fire, or ocean waves), or ambient music to add to meditations or listen to
  • The sleep section is not as large as other meditation apps
  • None of the meditations are geared towards kids and teens

Places To Learn Mindfulness 

Online-Therapy– A core concept in talk therapy is mindfulness. A therapist can show you techniques and support your efforts to apply mindfulness. Online-Therapy offers live video sessions, text messaging, and library of video resources including Yoga instruction. Visit Online-Therapy


Mindfulness.com – Learn the art of mindful living with over 2,000 mindful practices to train your brain. Stress less, sleep better, and deal with anxiety. Free Trial

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Mindfulness.com and Online-Therapy.

Where to Get the Ten Percent Happier App

You can sign up for an account on the Ten Percent Happier website, but you will ultimately have to download the app to meditate.

What Is Ten Percent Happier?

Ten Percent Happier, sometimes found under the book title, 10% Happier, is an app solely dedicated to mindfulness and meditation. The goal of Ten Percent Happier is to not only promote meditation as a means to improve your overall mental wellness but to teach you how to create and maintain a meditation practice. There is no content dedicated to exercise, music, or kids and teens, which are some of the reasons why Ten Percent Happier only received 3 out of 5 stars in the “Extra Features & Resources” category on our scoring criteria for meditation apps.

Ten Percent Happier Review 2022 - Image of Ten Percent Happier at a Glance

The Ten Percent Happier app is largely geared towards those who are new to mindfulness, are skeptics of meditation, or haven’t practiced meditation for a while and need a refresher. The free version of the app offers a beginner meditation course, called “The Basics”, featuring seven, short (under 10 min) sessions. In the premium version, you get access to all of the meditation courses, meditation singles (stand-alone meditation sessions), sleep meditations, and podcasts.

The podcast hub in the Ten Percent Happier app is unique and entertaining. With the premium version, you get access to four different podcasts as an in-app feature. Each one covers various topics, features special guests, and discusses ways to be more mindful in your daily life.

There is also a profile hub that helps you track your progress. It shows you how many days you’ve meditated, how many minutes you’ve completed, and how many weeks in a row you’ve meditated. All of your favorites/saved meditations, milestones, meditation history, and downloads will also be available on your profile which is how Ten Percent Happier earned 4 out of 5 stars in the “Personalization” category on our scoring criteria. There is a new section offering coaching, but it is a feature still being rolled out and not available at this time.

Scientific Basis for Mindfulness Meditation

Recent scientific studies found that mindful meditation is an effective addition to conventional treatment for a number of mental health and physical health conditions. 1 Meditation has been shown as an effective tool to help improve anxiety, depression, anger, and insomnia. This benefit could be due to physical changes in the brain triggered by meditation.1 A study found physical differences in the brains of people who regularly meditate compared to the brains of people who never meditate. 1

Meditation may also help people manage stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms that are linked to cancer, menopause, and other conditions. 1 While meditation has been around for ages, the number of adults in the U.S. who meditate is increasing rapidly, and has more than tripled from 2012 to 2017 (from about 4% to 14%). The number of children in the U.S. who meditate has increased nine-fold during the same time period. 1

Who Is the Ten Percent Happier App Right For?

Ten Percent Happier has made it one of its goals to get as many people to meditate, and love it, as possible. There are certain groups of people that the Ten Percent Happier app may be best suited for, especially when starting their meditation practice.

Novice Meditators

Ten Percent Happier is great for people interested in learning and starting a mindfulness and meditation practice. Most of the meditations are geared toward those who are brand new to practicing meditation.

Excellent for Anxiety and Stress

In the premium version of the Ten Percent Happier app, there are several single meditations for anxiety and stress, as well as full meditation courses. Those seeking tools to help calm their anxiety or stress without medication will find great resources in this app.

Help With Sleep

People who want to learn to unwind their minds and bodies before sleep will be pleased with the manageable number of sleep meditations in Ten Percent Happier.

Need for Structure and Organization

Those who enjoy structure and guidance with a set path will really enjoy Ten Percent Happier. All of the course sessions build upon previous meditations and must be completed in order. Because Ten Percent is so user-friendly and easy to navigate with all the meditation courses clearly labeled, it earned 5 out of 5 stars in the “Interface Design & User Experience” category on our scoring criteria.

Who May Want an Alternative to the Ten Percent Happier App?

While meditation apps like Ten Percent Happier are a great option for some people, others, like kids and teens, more advanced meditation practitioners or those who need a higher level of care may find other mental health apps better for their specific needs.

Need a Larger Library

Ten Percent has a decent number of meditation courses and single sessions that are clearly labeled, but the library is not as big as other meditation apps. This is why it earned 4 out of 5 stars in the “Variety of Meditations & Volume of Content” category on our scoring criteria. Ten Percent is geared more towards novices to meditation and those more advanced in their practice may like the Insight Timer app more.

Less Structure, More Free Choice

If you like to have more free choice over which meditation you choose to practice at any given time, you may prefer the Calm app. Calm allows you to pick and choose meditation sessions in any order your desire.

Kids and Teens

There are no dedicated meditation sessions or mindfulness exercises for kids and teens in the Ten Percent Happier app. The lack of these types of extra features is just one reason why Ten Percent Happier earned 3 out of 5 stars in the “Extra Features & Resources” category on our scoring criteria. Guardians looking to make mindfulness and meditation a part of their family routine will need to seek out an app like the Headspace app or Calm.

Seeking Therapy

For those that find they need more support in handling their stress and anxiety symptoms, talking to a therapist may be the best choice. A good first step towards finding a therapist can be searching an online therapist directory.

What Are Users of the Ten Percent Happier Saying?

Overall, the Ten Percent Happier app has really high star ratings in both app stores. It has a 4.8-star rating from 106,000+ reviews in the Apple App Store and a 4.8-star rating from 15,000+ reviews in the Google Play store.

A large majority of users had the same glowing reviews to share about the Ten Percent Happier app:

  • It helps you learn how to focus
  • Mindfulness practices are enjoyable and make you want to keep up with your practice
  • It’s easily organized and easy to understand
  • Meditation challenges are fun to complete
  • Teachers are relatable and amazing

I absolutely agree with all of these reviews – Ten Percent Happier really makes meditation easy and fun to do,  plus you really feel like all the meditation teachers want you to be successful.

There were far more positive reviews of Ten Percent Happier than there were negative ones. The biggest complaint in the app stores is that the free version of the Ten Percent Happier app is severely limited and that the cost is too high, even with a seven-day free trial.

Both complaints are valid, especially about the free version of the app. This version only has two meditation courses available and all other content is locked. Even with a free trial, $99.99 annually can be quite steep for many people to pay for a meditation app which is why Ten Percent earned 3 out of 5 stars in the “Cost & Free Trial” category on our scoring criteria.

How Much Does the Ten Percent Happier App Cost?

Ten Percent Happier has a very limited free version and a premium version for $99.99 per year with a seven-day free trial. There is a monthly option available, but you must email Ten Percent Happier directly for pricing and eligibility.

Is the Ten Percent Happier App Free?

Yes, but the free version of the Ten Percent Happier app has very limited offerings. You will only have listening access to two meditation courses and your profile statistics. That being said, one of the meditation courses is a course designed specifically for beginners. The free app would be perfect for those who have never tried meditation and do not want to commit to paying for a subscription.

Ten Percent Happier Premium Subscription

The premium subscription for Ten Percent Happier is $99.99 per year and comes with a seven-day free trial. There are monthly subscriptions available, but you must email the company directly at [email protected] for pricing and eligibility. With the premium subscription, you will have access to all the meditation courses, meditation singles (stand-alone sessions), sleep meditations, and podcasts.

If you are new to mindfulness and meditation, or it has been a while since your last good session, the premium version is well worth the free trial. Many of the meditation courses are geared towards beginners, skeptics, or those wanting to reestablish a practice.

Pro-tip: When you sign up for the free trial, don’t forget to set a reminder on your phone or in your calendar app to cancel your subscription the day before. This way you won’t be charged the subscription fee!

Ten Percent Happier Discounts & Free Trials

Discounts, Trials, & Payment OptionsYes/No
Student DiscountNo
Senior DiscountNo
Free VersionYes
Free Trial of Premium Plan

Yes
Family PlanNo
COVID-19 SpecialsNo, but there are specific meditations covering COVID-19 related topics available in the premium version of the app

Does Ten Percent Happier Take Insurance?

No, Ten Percent Happier does not accept insurance at this time nor is it a part of any wellness programs insurance carriers may have. For information on how Ten Percent Happier could be more affordable to you, please email them at: [email protected].

How to Cancel Ten Percent Happier

You can cancel your subscription at any time. If you purchased your subscription through the app stores, you must go into your account, find the “Subscriptions” or “Manage Subscriptions” option and click there. You will see an option to cancel the yearly renewal.

If you signed up for your subscription on the website, you must email them at: [email protected].

Even if you cancel, you will continue to have access to the premium subscription through the renewal date.

Does Ten Percent Happier Offer Refunds?

If you purchased your subscription through the website or through the Google Play store, Ten Percent Happier can issue refunds up to 30 days after you subscribe.

If you purchase your subscription through the Apple App Store, you will need to submit a refund request to Apple. To find more help on how to do this, please visit the Apple Support page.

For further questions, please visit the Ten Percent Happier website for more information about their Terms of Service.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Ten Percent Happier, consider Headspace. The Headspace app is an easy way to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine. See for yourself how a few minutes each day can impact your stress levels, mood, and sleep. A monthly subscription for Headspace is only $12.99 per month and comes with a 7-day free trial.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Headspace

Visit Headspace

How to Get Started with the Ten Percent Happier App

Ten Percent Happier is available in both app stores or you can create an account on their website. If you do choose to sign up on the website, you will be directed to download the app.

Step 1

You can download the Ten Percent Happier App from the Google Play Store or from the Apple App Store.

Step 2

Once the download is complete, you will set up your new account. You will answer some basic questions like what your familiarity with meditation is, what your meditation goals are, and when you want to be reminded to meditate. The final setup screen will ask you if you want to sign up for a free trial and subscribe for the year. If you are brand new to the app, I recommend exiting this screen and exploring the app and the free offerings first.

Ten Percent Happier Review 2022 - Image of Setup Screens

Step 3

Once you have a chance to try a couple of sessions in the meditation courses available for free, you can sign up for a premium subscription. You will get a seven-day free trial, which will give you time to try anything you find interesting.

Ten Percent Happier Free App: Detailed Review

The Ten Percent Happier app is very limited in its free version, but it does allow you to explore and view everything that comes with the premium subscription.

Feature 1: Free Meditation Courses

The free version of Ten Percent Happier currently offers two meditation courses. They are:

  • The Basics – This short seven-session course will help you learn how to build a mindfulness foundation with expert meditation teacher Joseph Goldstein.
  • Anti-Diet Challenge – In this seven-day meditation course you will learn how to change your mindset about food and discover ways to view food as an act of self-care. It is taught by nutritionist Christy Harrison.

Ten Percent Happier Review 2022 - Image of learn the basics of meditation for free

Feature 2: Your Profile

In the free version of Ten Percent Happier, you will have access to your profile. Here you can view your meditation stats which include the total number of sessions you’ve completed, total minutes you’ve meditated, and your weekly streak. You will also see sections for your saved favorites, meditation milestones, meditation history, and downloads. Please note, you cannot download anything in the free version of the app.

There is a section that tells you there is live coaching, but this is actually not a feature that has been fully rolled out yet. If you click on the button “Learn More” you will be taken to a screen where you can add your name to a waiting list.

Ten Percent Happier Review 2022 - Image of Profile views

Ten Percent Happier Premium Subscription: Detailed Review

Ten Percent Happier’s premium version of the app will give you full access to the three main meditation hubs, the podcast hub, and the ability to download meditations.

Feature 1: “Courses” Hub

Meditation courses with Ten Percent Happier are rather unique and actually really fun. Each session in the courses lasts between 10 to 15 minutes and all of them start with an introduction video. These introduction videos feature Dan Harris, founder of Ten Percent Happier, who explains the topic, talks with the meditation teacher or expert on the topic, and sometimes will talk to real people about what they are going through. It’s part journalism, part mindfulness but the end goal is to get you meditating.

Some of the courses featured have titles like “Taming Anxiety”, “Meditation for Skeptics”,  and “Meditation in Real Life”. All of the meditation courses discuss the topics in understandable ways and give you really excellent tips on how to overcome your challenges.

In the “Taming Anxiety” course, I learned that sometimes it’s best to not ignore my anxiety and to face it head-on. A couple of the introduction videos showed Dan Harris facing some of his anxiety triggers, like being in elevators, and it really helped me to start forming a new way to view my anxiety.

Ten Percent Happier Review 2022 - Image of Taming Anxiety meditation course in premium app

Feature 2: “Singles” Hub

The meditation singles are stand-alone meditation sessions organized into categories like “New & Noteworthy”, “Work stress SOS”, “Great for Beginners” and “Coronavirus Sanity”. Each category will have dozens of meditations available. In “Great for Beginners” there are meditations on topics like body relaxation, mental noting, not fighting your thoughts, and self-compassion.

All of the singles are usually under 15 minutes and are great when you want a guided moment to yourself.

Ten Percent Happier Review 2022 - Image of meditation singles

Feature 3: “Sleep” Hub

Everything in the “Sleep” hub is meditation singles but dedicated solely to unwinding, relaxing, and falling asleep. Unlike other apps, Ten Percent Happier does not feature sleep stories as a big component of their sleep section. While there are a few sleep stories, most of the meditations in the “Sleep” hub will be between 15-20 minutes with the goal of helping you sleep better.

Ten Percent Happier Review 2022 - Image of Sleep meditations in premium

Feature 4: “Podcasts” Hub

The Ten Percent Happier “Podcasts” hub is a really unique and fun area. There are four podcasts available and they are:

  • Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris – This podcast is hosted by Dan Harris and features leading meditation teachers, scientists, researchers, and sometimes celebrities. Topics include happiness, calm, compassion, and how to develop these skills through mindfulness and meditation.
  • Twenty Percent Happier with Matthew Hepburn – In this podcast, meditation teacher Matthew Hepburn talks with everyday people about their meditation practices. They explore all types of topics from work anxiety to romance.
  • Childproof with Yasmeen Khan – Launched in December 2021, this podcast is dedicated to how hard parenting is. Host Yasmeen Khan spends time sharing stories from fellow parents and experts on how to grow as a parent while taking care of yourself.
  • Teacher Talks with Jay Michaelson – While this is in the podcast section, it is more like expert advice from meditation teachers. The five-minute audios offer mindfulness-based tools for real life.

One of the podcasts I listened to featured Karamo from the Netflix show Queer Eye. He discussed how to practice self-love and why it is not selfish to do so. Most of the podcasts are available wherever you get podcasts, and I highly recommend you check some of them out.

Ten Percent Happier 2022 - Image of ten percent podcasts in premium version

Ten Percent Happier vs. Headspace

The Ten Percent Happier app and the Headspace app have a lot in common. Each app is very structured and easy to navigate, with great meditation courses and a variety of meditation singles. Both apps have great mindfulness and meditation courses for beginners, and the goal of both is to help you create and maintain a meditation practice. Headspace does score higher in our scoring criteria, with a 4.5 overall star rating.

While similar, each app offers a couple of unique features that set them apart. Headspace has live meditation sessions you can attend in-app, whereas Ten Percent Happier hosts meditation challenges and has in-app podcasts. Cost-wise, Ten Percent Happier is more expensive than Headspace. Ten Percent is $99.99 per year with a seven-day free trial while Headspace is either $12.99 per month with a seven-day free trial or $69.99 per year with a two-week free trial.

If you’re looking for an alternative to Ten Percent Happier, consider Headspace. The Headspace app is an easy way to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your routine. See for yourself how a few minutes each day can impact your stress levels, mood, and sleep. A monthly subscription for Headspace is only $12.99 per month and comes with a 7-day free trial.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by Headspace

Visit Headspace

History of Ten Percent Happier

The Ten Percent Happier app came out of the success of Dan Harris’s meditation book called 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head… In 2014, Mr. Harris suffered a panic attack while presenting the news for ABC. This lead him to begin searching for ways to calm his mind and stumbled upon meditation. In August of 2021, Mr. Harris announced that he would be leaving ABC to focus solely on Ten Percent Happier. 2 Due to how long the Ten Percent Happier app has been around, since 2015, the app earned 5 out of 5 stars in the “Reliability & Longevity” category on our scoring criteria.

Ten Percent Happier had previously offered free service to essential employees during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is no longer available. There are select free resources on their website and a “Coronavirus Sanity” meditation section available in the premium subscription.

Ten Percent Happier had a subscription option called “Teams” available to companies that allowed them to purchase premium accounts for their employees. This program is closed to new subscribers, but if interested you can fill out this survey letting Ten Percent Happier know your company is interested. You can also email them at [email protected] and they will give you information about a special discount code and ways to bring the subscription cost.

Final Verdict on the Ten Percent Happier App

Overall, the Ten Percent Happier app really impressed me with how approachable and understandable the content and teachers are. There is a sense of belonging I got from the app, and that is not something I have felt in other meditation apps. None of the meditations are hard but they aren’t necessarily easy either; they are appropriately challenging for novice meditators and have great lessons for those who have already started their meditation journey.

I find it admirable that Ten Percent Happier is sticking to mindfulness and meditation and not trying to add in movement, music, or even a kid’s section. While this did mean Ten Percent Happier only earned 4 out of 5 stars overall in our scoring criteria, it is still an amazing meditation app. A truly interesting feature in the app is their podcasts section and it really adds value to the app. The podcasts allow you to get to know experts in the mindfulness and meditation space, helping to make the app more human-oriented.

Despite the high price tag of $99.99 per year, this app is absolutely worth the cost. If you were to spend every day meditating and learning from this app, you would have an excellent foundation for your practice and you’d be able to move on to more intermediate meditations.

Visit 10% Happier

Additional Resources

Education is just the first step on our path to improved mental health and emotional wellness. To help our readers take the next step in their journey, Choosing Therapy has partnered with leaders in mental health and wellness. Choosing Therapy may be compensated for marketing by the companies mentioned below.

Online Therapy 

BetterHelp – Get support and guidance from a licensed therapist. BetterHelp has over 20,000 therapists who provide convenient and affordable online therapy.  Complete a brief questionnaire and get matched with the right therapist for you. Get Started

Online Psychiatry

Hims / Hers – If you’re living with anxiety or depression, finding the right medication match may make all the difference. Get FDA approved medication prescribed by your dedicated Hims / Hers Healthcare Provider and delivered right to your door. Plans start at $25 per month (first month). Get Started

Medication + Therapy  

Brightside Health – Together, medication and therapy can help you feel like yourself, faster. Brightside Health treatment plans start at $95 per month. United Healthcare, Anthem, Cigna, and Aetna accepted. Following a free online evaluation and receiving a prescription, you can get FDA approved medications delivered to your door. Free Assessment

Choosing Therapy Directory 

You can search for therapists by specialty, experience, insurance, or price, and location. Find a therapist today.

Choosing Therapy partners with leading mental health companies and is compensated for marketing by BetterHelp, Hims / Hers, and Brightside.

For Further Reading

  • Mental Health America
  • National Alliance on Mental Health
  • MentalHealth.gov
  • Yoga International Review
  • Breathwrk App Review
2 sources

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.

  • National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2016, April). Meditation: In Depth. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation-in-depth

  • Simons, Roxy. (2021, August) ‘Good Morning America’: Why Dan Harris is Leaving the ABC Show After 21 Years. Newsweek. https://www.newsweek.com/dan-harris-leaving-good-morning-america-after-21-years-abc-news-gma-1617424

update history

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.

  • Originally Published: September 8, 2020
    Original Author: Eric Paterson, LPC
    Original Reviewer: Maloa Affuembey, MD

  • Updated: March 17, 2022
    Author: Caitlin Bell, M.A.
    Reviewer: Benjamin Troy, MD
    Primary Changes: Full reassessment of Ten Percent Happier App; New sections: “What Users Are Saying”, “How Ten Percent Has Changed”, “How to Cancel”, “Refunds”; “Insurance”; Updated Cost; Updated Teams; Updated screenshots/images; Added images and charts for pros/cons and discounts.

     

Recent Articles

Diaphragmatic Breathing: Definition, Benefits, & Techniques
Diaphragmatic Breathing: Definition, Benefits, & Techniques
Diaphragmatic breathing engages the diaphragm in order to fill the lungs with air more efficiently. Even though we breathe...
';
Best Mindful Drinking Apps 2023
Best Mindful Drinking Apps of 2023
Mindful drinking is being intentionally aware of how much we drink and the reasons why we drink alcohol. For...
';
Mindful Breathing_ Definition_ Techniques_ _ Benefits
Mindful Breathing: Definition, Techniques, & Benefits
Mindful breathing is a type of meditation that focuses your attention on your breath. Even though we breathe automatically...
';
Sunnyside App Review 2022: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For
Sunnyside App Review 2023: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For
Sunnyside is an alcohol-tracking app that helps users build healthier drinking habits. Sunnyside provides support from both AI chatbots...
';
FT TherapyAppointment Review
TherapyAppointment Review 2023: Pros & Cons, Cost, & Who It’s Right For
TherapyAppointment is a patient management system (PMS) that is designed for use by therapists and other mental healthcare practices....
';
Cerebral Review 2022: Cost, Pros & Cons, & Who It’s Right For
Cerebral Review 2023: Cost, Pros & Cons, & Who It’s Right For
Cerebral is a subscription-based therapy and psychiatry platform that earned 4 out of 5 stars overall during our independent...
';
Caitlin Bell, Editor of Consumer Technology for Choosing Therapy
Written by:

Caitlin Bell, MA

Mental Health Tech Editor
Headshot of Benjamin Troy, MD
Reviewed by:

Benjamin Troy

MD
  • Rating of the Ten Percent Happier Meditation AppRating Ten Percent Happier
  • Pros & Cons of the Ten Percent Happier AppPros & Cons
  • Where to Get the Ten Percent Happier AppHow to Get
  • What Is Ten Percent Happier?Definition
  • Who Is the Ten Percent Happier App Right For?Who It's Right For
  • Who May Want an Alternative to the Ten Percent Happier App?Alternatives
  • What Are Users of the Ten Percent Happier Saying?User Reviews
  • How Much Does the Ten Percent Happier App Cost?Cost
  • How to Get Started with the Ten Percent Happier AppGetting Started
  • Ten Percent Happier Free App: Detailed ReviewFree App Review
  • Ten Percent Happier Premium Subscription: Detailed ReviewPremium App Review
  • Ten Percent Happier vs. HeadspaceTen Percent vs Headspace
  • History of Ten Percent HappierHistory
  • Final Verdict on the Ten Percent Happier AppConclusion
  • Additional ResourcesResources
If you are in need of immediate medical help:
Medical
Emergency
911
Suicide Hotline
800-273-8255
See more Crisis Hotlines
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Write for Us
  • Careers
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • No Surprises Act
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
988
Click For More Crisis Hotlines
For immediate help call:
Medical Emergency:
911
Suicide Hotline:
811
See more Crisis Hotlines
here
logo
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.
This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.
Choosing Therapy Logo
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit Cookie Settings to provide controlled consent. Cookie settings ACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

We use cookies to facilitate website functionality. Also, we use third-party cookies to track your website behavior and target advertising. These cookies are stored in your browser only with your consent, and you have the choice of opting out.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept