The Best Meditation Apps for Every Kind of Practice
Meditation can be transformative—but let’s be honest: it’s not always easy to start, and it’s even harder to stick with.
We sit down, close our eyes, and within seconds we’re bombarded with thoughts, distractions, or self-judgment. We wonder: Am I doing this right? Is it even working? Why can’t I stay focused?
These are the most common roadblocks to building a consistent practice—and they’re exactly where the best meditation apps can help.
Today’s mindfulness apps have come a long way from their early days. Many now offer more than just guided meditations—they provide access to diverse teachers and traditions, allow you to track your progress, and meet you where you are emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Whether you want a 3-minute reset between meetings, a trauma-informed body scan before bed, or a daily series with a Buddhist monk—there’s an app for that. But not all meditation apps are created equal.
When choosing a meditation app, look for these key features:
- A variety of voices and approaches. Everyone has a different way into the practice. Some people resonate with spiritual language; others want secular science. The right app should let you explore different teachers and traditions until something clicks.
- Support for habit-building. Look for apps that are built on the science of habit change, helping you stay accountable. Some people find streak tracking helpful, or reminders and daily challenges, or structured courses that help you stay consistent.
- Accessibility and tone. The best apps feel like guides, not gatekeepers. They’re easy to use, non-judgmental, and meet you at your experience level—whether you’re a curious beginner or a lifelong practitioner.
- Options for your real life. Can you find a 5-minute session before work? A sleep meditation that actually works? A voice you trust when you’re feeling anxious or unfocused? Practicality matters.
At Super Age, we believe meditation should feel like an invitation, not an obligation. It should help you build a deeper relationship with yourself—not with your streak counter. The best meditation app is the one you’ll actually use—and that helps you keep showing up.
Here are our picks for the best meditation apps for every different kind of practice. Plus, we’re sharing our top over all meditation app.
These Meditation Apps Can Support a Sustainable Practice
Whether you’re building a habit, navigating healing, or just trying to focus, these apps meet you where you are.
Best for Beginners
Ease, structure, and no spiritual jargon required
Headspace
Structured courses, animated explainers, and guided meditations make this one of the most beginner-friendly apps.
Platforms: iOS, Android
Free version: Yes (limited)
Premium: $12.99/month or $69.99/year
SUPER AGE Team Recommendation: “I started with Headspace maybe 15 years ago, the voice of Andy was what got me going, 2 minutes at a time.” ~David Harry Stewart
Calm
Soothing visuals, straightforward meditations, and sleep stories make it approachable and relaxing.
Platforms: iOS, Android
Free version: Yes (limited)
Premium: $14.99/month or $69.99/year
Happier
Designed for “fidgety skeptics,” this app offers smart, science-backed courses from well-respected teachers.
Platforms: iOS, Android
Free version: Yes (limited)
Premium: 14.99/month or $99.99/year
Best for a Variety of Teachers and Styles
Explore diverse voices and approaches
Insight Timer
With over 100,000 meditations, this app features global teachers across spiritual, scientific, and cultural traditions. Whether you’re into dharma talks, yoga nidra, poetry, or neuroscience-backed practices, there’s something here for every kind of seeker.
Free version: Yes (huge library)
Premium: $9.99/month or $59.99/year
Unplug
Video-first meditation app with 100+ expert teachers. Easy to explore styles like mindfulness, sound, EFT, and more.
Free version: Limited
Premium: $12.99/month
Waking Up
Offers a wide range of teachings from mindfulness to non-duality, featuring renowned voices like Sam Harris, Loch Kelly, Nikki Mirghafori, and more. Combines daily meditations with immersive talks, series, and philosophical insights to meet you wherever you are on your path.
Free: Yes (intro course + scholarships available)
Premium: $14.99/month or $119.99/year
SUPER AGE Team Recommendation: “I’m not an experienced meditator by all means but I think 10 minutes a day is something everyone can commit to! It’s not about sitting still without thinking about anything, but about observing your thoughts and by default the origin of the self!” ~Tatiana Ayazo
Best for Sleep
Restful, guided sessions to help you fall and stay asleep
Calm
Known for celebrity-narrated sleep stories and wind-down soundscapes. A consistent leader for sleep wellness.
Premium: $14.99/month or $69.99/year
Breethe
Offers bedtime coaching, hypnotherapy, and sleep music. Content is personalized for different sleep issues.
Free trial: Yes
Premium: $12.99/month or $89.99/year
Aura
Uses AI to recommend sleep meditations based on mood. Great for bite-sized audio and nighttime reflection.
Free version: Yes
Premium: $11.99/month or $69.99/year
Best for Trauma-Informed Practice
Gentle, grounded guidance for those navigating trauma or chronic stress
Mindfulness Coach
Created by the VA for veterans with PTSD, this free app is built around trauma-sensitive tools and gradual learning.
Platforms: iOS, Android
Free: Yes
Happier
Features trauma-informed instructors like Sebene Selassie and Oren Jay Sofer. Accessible, secular, and research-based.
Premium: $99.99/year
Insight Timer
Many meditations are tagged for trauma, somatic healing, and nervous system support. Includes licensed therapists.
Free: Yes
Premium: $9.99/month
Best for Work and Focus
Practical, no-fluff mindfulness that fits between meetings
Healthy Minds
Created by neuroscientist Richard Davidson, this app blends mindfulness, well-being, and neuroscience to boost focus, connection, and clarity. Choose from 5-, 10-, or 20-minute sessions that fit easily between meetings or tasks.
Free version: Yes (full access)
Premium: Donation-based
Buddhify
Designed for “on-the-go” meditation. Categories like “Working,” “Taking a Break,” and “Stress & Difficult Emotion.”
Platforms: iOS, Android
One-time cost: $4.99
Premium: $30/year
Headspace
Focus tools, productivity playlists, and “Mindful Work” meditations—well-integrated with a workday routine.
Premium: $12.99/month or $69.99/year
Best for Habit-Building and Daily Practice
Consistency is the real superpower
Healthy Minds
Grounded in neuroscience and created by Dr. Richard Davidson, built-in progress tracking and habit reinforcement tools make it ideal for building a consistent, sustainable practice.
Free: Yes (full access)
Premium: Donation-based
Insight Timer
Daily challenges, progress tracking, and reminders make it a go-to for long-term habit support.
Free: Yes
Premium: $9.99/month
Happier
Includes daily coaching, progress markers, and smart sequencing to make meditation part of your life.
Premium: $99.99/year
Best for Spiritual Exploration
Deeper practices that blend science, tradition, and soul
Waking Up
Blends neuroscience, non-dual philosophy, and mindfulness teachings to explore the nature of consciousness. Features daily meditations, theory-based lessons, and guest teachers like Loch Kelly and Nikki Mirghafori.
Free: Yes (intro course + scholarships available)
Premium: $14.99/month or $119.99/year
Insight Timer
Offers dharma talks, yoga nidra, poetry, and lineage-based teachings—without the gatekeeping.
Free: Yes
Premium: $9.99/month
Open
An immersive, aesthetic experience blending breathwork, movement, and guided meditation. Great for embodied practice.
Free trial: Yes
Premium: $20/month or $150/year
We Have a Tie for Best Meditation App
Insight Timer
Why is it the best? Range of teachers, accessibility, and spiritual exploration
If you want maximum variety with minimal barriers to entry, Insight Timer is unmatched. With over 100,000 guided meditations from global teachers—including therapists, monks, sound healers, and scientists—it offers true diversity in voice and practice. Whether you’re looking for trauma-informed healing, dharma talks, bedtime support, or habit tracking, you’ll find it here.
Biggest strengths: Breadth of content, global teacher network, free tier
Best for: Curious explorers, spiritual seekers, and budget-conscious users.
Happier
Why is it the best? Structure, science-backed content, and habit-building
If you prefer clarity, consistency, and world-class teaching, Happier is your app. Created by journalist Dan Harris, it delivers daily coaching, progressive courses, and trauma-informed mindfulness without spiritual jargon. With teachers like Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, and Sebene Selassie, it’s built for real life—and sustainable growth.
Biggest strengths: Teacher quality, curriculum-style progression, secular tone.
Best for: High-achievers, skeptics, and habit-hungry learners
Do you have a favorite meditation app that didn’t make the list? Write and tell us about it!
The practice of paying attention to the present moment with non-judgmental awareness.
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