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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Options | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Student Discount | No |
| Senior Discount | No |
| Free Version | Yes |
| Free Trial of Premium Plan | Yes |
| Family Plan | No |
| COVID-19 Specials | No, 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
