Best Meditation Apps for iOS
11 carefully analyzed meditation apps with specific pros, cons, and use cases.
The meditation app landscape has evolved dramatically, offering everything from traditional mindfulness practices to innovative stress-relief tools. With millions of users turning to digital solutions for mental wellness, apps like Headspace and Calm have become household names. These platforms provide accessible meditation guidance, sleep support, and mental health resources that cater to diverse needs and preferences.
The State of Meditation Apps in September 2025
Today's meditation app market is characterized by specialization and integration. While Headspace leads with clinical mental health integration, Calm dominates the sleep content space with celebrity-narrated stories. Insight Timer–Meditate & Sleep offers the largest free library, while niche apps like Hallow cater to specific spiritual communities. The trend shows increasing integration with health ecosystems and personalized AI companions.
Our Top Pick: Headspace
Headspace stands out as the most comprehensive mental wellness platform, combining meditation with licensed therapy access and AI-powered support. Its clinical approach, featuring CBT techniques and insurance-covered therapy sessions, makes it uniquely positioned for those seeking professional mental health support alongside daily mindfulness practice. The integration with licensed therapists and mental health coaches provides a seamless continuum of care that other apps can't match.
How the Top Apps Compare
Headspace excels in clinical mental health integration, while Calm dominates sleep content with celebrity narrations. Insight Timer–Meditate & Sleep offers the most extensive free library and diverse teacher roster. Happier Meditation provides the most realistic, imperfection-friendly approach, and BetterSleep leads in sleep tracking and sound mixing technology.
Which App is Right for You?
For clinical mental health support, choose Headspace. Sleep-focused users should consider Calm or BetterSleep. Budget-conscious meditators will appreciate Insight Timer–Meditate & Sleep's free offerings. Christians seeking spiritual meditation should try Hallow, while fitness enthusiasts might prefer Peloton's integrated approach.
Pro Tips for Meditation Apps
Start with free trials from multiple apps like Headspace and Calm before committing. Use Insight Timer–Meditate & Sleep's community features for accountability. Integrate Apple Health tracking available in Headspace and Calm to monitor progress. For sleep improvement, combine BetterSleep's tracking with Calm's sleep stories.
The meditation app market offers solutions for every need and budget. Headspace remains the top choice for comprehensive mental wellness, while specialized apps like Calm for sleep and Hallow for spiritual practice excel in their niches. Ultimately, the best app depends on your specific goals, whether it's stress reduction, better sleep, or deeper spiritual connection.
Quick Summary
- Headspace leads with clinical mental health integration and therapy access
- Calm dominates sleep content with celebrity-narrated stories and extensive music library
- Insight Timer–Meditate & Sleep offers the largest free meditation library with diverse teachers
The 11 Best meditation Apps
Headspace: Meditation & Health
Welcome to Headspace, your expert-led guide to mental health, mindfulness, and meditation. Whether y...
Pros:
- Direct access to licensed therapists and mental health coaches with insurance coverage options
- AI companion (Ebb) provides personalized mental health recommendations and support
- Comprehensive CBT techniques and therapy exercises integrated with meditation practices
- Clinical approach with science-backed programs proven to reduce anxiety in 2 weeks
Cons:
- Higher subscription price at $69.99/year compared to competitors
- Therapy services require additional subscription beyond meditation content
- Limited free content compared to other apps in the market
- More clinical approach may feel less accessible for meditation beginners
The best choice for users wanting professional mental health support alongside daily meditation practice, especially those with clinical anxiety or stress needs.
Calm
** Best of 2018 Award Winner ** — Apple ** 2017 App of the Year ** — Apple ** Happiest App in the ...
Pros:
- Extensive library of celebrity-narrated Sleep Stories including Matthew McConaughey and Stephen Fry
- Massive user base with nearly 2 million reviews indicating widespread satisfaction
- Beautifully produced content with high-quality audio and professional narration
- Daily programs with multiple instructors providing variety and fresh content
Cons:
- Higher lifetime subscription cost at $399.99 compared to competitors
- Focus on sleep content may overshadow other meditation practices
- Celebrity content might feel less authentic for some users
- Limited mental health professional integration compared to Headspace
Ideal for users prioritizing sleep improvement and those who enjoy high-production, celebrity-led content for relaxation and meditation.
Insight Timer–Meditate & Sleep
* Apps of the Year Winner - TIME magazine and Womens Health * * More time is spent meditating on Ins...
Pros:
- Largest free library with 80+ new guided meditations added daily
- Extensive diversity of teachers from Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford universities
- Strong community features with thousands of discussion groups and practices
- Highest user rating (4.90/5) among major meditation apps
Cons:
- Premium features required for offline listening and advanced player controls
- Overwhelming choice might be challenging for beginners to navigate
- Variable quality due to diverse teacher backgrounds and approaches
- Less structured learning path compared to curated programs in other apps
The best free option for experienced meditators and those wanting exposure to diverse traditions and teachers without subscription commitment.
Happier Meditation
Welcome to Happier Meditation, formerly Ten Percent Happier, and recognized as an Apple "Best Of" Aw...
Pros:
- Focus on imperfect meditation removes pressure and makes practice more accessible
- Vertical video format provides engaging, modern meditation experience
- Strong emphasis on real-life application with teachers demonstrating daily practice
- High user rating of 4.82/5 indicates excellent user satisfaction
Cons:
- Smaller content library (500+ sessions) compared to market leaders
- Less focus on sleep-specific content compared to Calm or BetterSleep
- Limited mental health professional integration
- Fewer celebrity or high-profile teachers than competitors
Perfect for beginners and skeptics who want a realistic, pressure-free approach to meditation without spiritual or perfectionist expectations.
BetterSleep: Relax and Sleep
→ “Best app for sleep” – Reviewed.com → Named Apple’s "App of the Day" over 65 times → “The most pos...
Pros:
- Advanced sleep tracking with sound recording for snoring and movement detection
- Extensive sound mixing technology with 300+ sleep sounds and music tracks
- Science-based sleep education including chronotype identification
- Proven effectiveness with 91% of users reporting better sleep after one week
Cons:
- Primary focus on sleep may limit meditation and mindfulness content
- Sound-focused approach might not suit users preferring guided meditation
- Less emphasis on traditional meditation practices compared to other apps
- Sleep tracking requires consistent app use which may affect battery life
The best choice for users whose primary goal is sleep improvement, especially those who want detailed tracking and sound-based relaxation.
Hallow: Prayer & Meditation
** The #1 Prayer App & #1 Catholic App ** WHAT IS HALLOW Hallow is a Christian prayer app that offe...
Pros:
- Comprehensive Christian meditation integrating prayer, Bible readings, and worship
- High-quality content featuring Jonathan Roumie from The Chosen and Fr. Mike Schmitz
- Extensive Catholic traditions including Rosary, Divine Mercy, and Liturgy of the Hours
- Strong community features with family prayer groups and seasonal challenges
Cons:
- Exclusively Christian content limits appeal to non-Christian users
- Higher focus on Catholic traditions may not suit all Christian denominations
- Limited secular meditation content compared to other apps
- Smaller overall content library focused specifically on Christian practice
The premier choice for Christian users, particularly Catholics, wanting to integrate faith practices with meditation and mindfulness.
Breethe: Sleep & Meditation
Rather than making meditation and wellness more items on your to-do list, Breethe makes it easily fi...
Pros:
- Humorous and relatable meditation titles addressing specific life situations
- Unique hypnotherapy content not available in other major meditation apps
- Personalized 'My Life Kit' tool that creates custom meditation plans
- Extensive library of over 1700 tracks with intuitive daily organization
Cons:
- Higher annual subscription cost at $89.99 compared to competitors
- Humorous approach might not appeal to users seeking serious meditation
- Smaller user base and review count compared to market leaders
- Limited integration with mental health professionals
Excellent for users who want lighthearted, situation-specific meditation content and appreciate humor in their wellness practice.
Peloton: Fitness & Workouts
Work out where you want, when you want. From strength and meditation, to outdoor running and yoga, ...
Pros:
- Seamless integration with comprehensive fitness platform and workout tracking
- High user rating of 4.92/5 indicating excellent satisfaction across all features
- Live classes and extensive on-demand library with world-class instructors
- Apple Watch integration for real-time metrics during meditation and workouts
Cons:
- Meditation content is secondary to fitness offerings
- Requires broader fitness subscription for access to meditation content
- Less specialized meditation content compared to dedicated apps
- Focused primarily on physical wellness rather than comprehensive mental health
Perfect for existing Peloton users and fitness enthusiasts who want meditation integrated into their overall wellness and workout routine.
Feelsy: Stress Relief · Relax
If you're looking for a way to soothe your brain, you've just found the perfect option! Reward your...
Pros:
- Unique 3D/4D texture interaction provides tactile sensory stimulation
- Over 80 anti-stress textures with realistic physics and sound feedback
- Custom slime creation tool for personalized sensory experiences
- Effective for stress relief and anxiety reduction through sensory engagement
Cons:
- Not a traditional meditation app—focuses on sensory play rather than mindfulness
- Limited guided meditation or instructional content
- Smaller user base compared to established meditation apps
- Primary focus on visual/tactile stimulation rather than mental practice
Best for users who prefer sensory-based relaxation and ASMR-like experiences over traditional meditation, particularly those who find tactile stimulation calming.
Sol - Let's Grow Together
SOL: THE WORLD'S FIRST SOULFUL SOCIAL NETWORK Sol is your ultimate spiritual companion - providing ...
Pros:
- Unique personality assessment integrating multiple ancient traditions and systems
- Strong social network features for spiritual community building
- Comprehensive spiritual tools including astrology, name meanings, and compatibility
- Diverse content spanning multiple spiritual traditions and practices
Cons:
- Very small user base with only 1,145 reviews indicating limited adoption
- Social network focus might distract from meditation practice itself
- Overwhelming array of features could be confusing for new users
- Less proven track record compared to established meditation apps
Best for users who value spiritual community and want to explore personality through multiple ancient traditions alongside meditation practice.
Slowdive | Meditation & Mantra
Meditation is your key to a happier life. It can be practiced by anyone. On a physical level, medit...
Pros:
- Specialized focus on mantra meditation with 35+ different mantras and sounds
- Smart newsfeed that predicts user preferences and recommends content
- Group meditation sessions available every hour for community practice
- Breathing exercises with multiple difficulty levels for skill development
Cons:
- Unusual subscription pricing with weekly option at $13.99
- Small user base with only 8,091 reviews indicating limited adoption
- Focus on mantras may not appeal to users preferring silent meditation
- Less content variety compared to comprehensive meditation apps
Ideal for users specifically interested in mantra meditation and those who value regular group practice sessions with like-minded individuals.
Key Insights
🏆 Overall Winner
Headspace: Meditation & Health - Our #1 pick for overall excellence
💚 Best Free Option
Headspace: Meditation & Health
💎 Best Premium Choice
Premium features via IAP
Pricing Analysis
Range from free to premium with various subscription options
Conclusion
The meditation app market offers solutions for every need and budget. Headspace remains the top choice for comprehensive mental wellness, while specialized apps like Calm for sleep and Hallow for spiritual practice excel in their niches. Ultimately, the best app depends on your specific goals, whether it's stress reduction, better sleep, or deeper spiritual connection.
Our Recommendations:
Choose based on our detailed analysis and your specific needs.
We continuously update rankings as apps evolve.