11 Apps ComparedNovember 2025

Best Meditation Apps for iOS - November 2025

These meditation apps stand out for their high user ratings, diverse features, and ability to cater to various needs from stress relief to sleep improvement. They offer guided sessions, personalized programs, and innovative tools to support mental wellness.

Best Meditation Apps for iOS - November 2025

Our Top Pick

The best meditation app for iOS

#1
Plum Village: Zen Meditation icon

Plum Village: Zen Meditation

Centre for Applied Ethics Ltd

5.0
3,567 ratings

Why It's #1

  • Zen mindfulness techniques
  • Free content
  • Community practices

Screenshots

Plum Village: Zen Meditation screenshot 1Plum Village: Zen Meditation screenshot 2Plum Village: Zen Meditation screenshot 3

About Plum Village: Zen Meditation

Looking to touch peace, calm and ease in today’s frantic and often stressful world? The Plum Village practices are an invaluable support. Use mindfulness meditation techniques taught by a renowned Zen Buddhist Master to connect deeply with the present moment, soothe anxiety, experience more joy and happiness, and taste enlightenment. Explore a wealth of easy-to-use guided meditations, relaxations, and talks. The Plum Village app enables us to bring mindfulness into our life, so we can live each moment more deeply and create a happier future. As Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh said, mindfulness allows us to be truly alive. ========================================== Plum Village: Zen Guided Meditation App – Main Features ========================================== • Free forever with no ads or in-app purchases • 100+ guided meditations • A customizable meditation timer • A “Mindfulness Bell” to incorporate into your daily routine • 300+ video sessions/Q&As with Thich Nhat Hanh and Plum Village teachers • 15 guided meditations for children • “Favourite” your most loved meditations to find them easily • Download talks and meditations to the app for easy offline practice • Track time spent listening to meditations as “Mindful Minutes” in the Apple Health app (if enabled) The Plum Village app is regularly being updated with new guided meditations and talks. It is completely free to download and all of the content is available for free. =========================================== Plum Village: Zen Guided Meditation App – Main Categories =========================================== The Plum Village app is split into four easy-to-use categories – meditations, talks, resources, and bells of mindfulness: MEDITATIONS Meditation is a deep practice that helps us generate peace and calm, master our mind, develop a healthy headspace, and get deep insights into ourselves and the world around us. Meditations include deep relaxations, guided contemplations, silent meditations, and eating meditations. Whether you have a little time or a lot, and whether you want to be on your cushion or applying mindfulness in your daily life, there are meditations to nourish, inspire, and incorporate into your daily routine. TALKS Listen and learn from the wisdom of Thich Nhat Hanh and other Plum Village meditation teachers Ask Thay includes hundreds of real-life questions asked to the Zen Master, like “How can we let go of anger? and “How can I stop worrying?” His answers are compassionate and infused with insight. Dharma Talks are teachings given by Thich Nhat Hanh and others on how to bring Buddhist wisdom and mindfulness into our life. Rather than discussing theoretical concepts, they focus on direct and clear teachings to relieve suffering and create happiness in our day to day lives. RESOURCES In Resources you can find a library of daily practices, chants, poems, and songs. These bring to life the practices taught in Plum Village monasteries around the world and offer ways to bring mindfulness into our world, wherever we are. BELL OF MINDFULNESS In Plum Village monasteries bells of mindfulness chime at regular intervals. Everybody stops and takes three mindful breaths to pause from their thinking or talking, breathe, and return to their bodies. The Bell of Mindfulness allows us to have the same reminder on our phone. We can customize the bell to chime at different time periods. Settings include: • Start time / End time • Chime intervals • Bell volume • Daily repeating schedule Regular use of the Bell of Mindfulness will cultivate more calm and relaxation in your life. ------------------------------------ Why not give the Plum Village app a try and see how you can benefit from it? The app is a digital companion on your mindfulness journey. Created as a gift to the world, this free app contains invaluable resources to guide you towards inner peace and freedom. Download today for free!

Overview

These meditation apps stand out for their high user ratings, diverse features, and ability to cater to various needs from stress relief to sleep improvement. They offer guided sessions, personalized programs, and innovative tools to support mental wellness.

Ideal for anyone seeking to reduce stress, improve sleep, or build a consistent meditation habit, these apps provide accessible mindfulness practices for beginners and experts alike.

We evaluated apps based on user ratings, feature diversity, pricing, and real user feedback to ensure a balanced assessment.

Why Plum Village: Zen Meditation is Our #1 Pick

Key Reasons:

Highest user rating among all apps

Completely free access with no hidden costs

Authentic Zen teachings from a renowned master

Standout Features:

Zen mindfulness techniques

Free meditation library

Community-based practices

"No user reviews provided"

- What users love most

Our Recommendations

Best Overall

Plum Village: Zen Meditation

Highest user rating and completely free access to authentic teachings.

💚 Best Free

Medito: Guided Meditation

Always free with no costs, offering diverse content for all users.

💎 Best Premium

Headspace: Meditation & Health

Worth the subscription for AI counseling and expert-led courses.

Easiest to Use

Calm

Intuitive interface and beloved sleep stories make it beginner-friendly.

Most Innovative

Headspace: Meditation & Health

Pioneers AI features for immediate mental health support.

The 11 Best meditation Apps

Plum Village: Zen Meditation icon
1

Plum Village: Zen Meditation

by Centre for Applied Ethics Ltd5.0/5(3,567 reviews)Free
Best for:Users interested in traditional Zen meditation

Pros:

  • Completely free
  • Renowned Zen master teachings
  • Mindfulness techniques

Cons:

  • Limited to Zen style
  • May lack variety for some users
Key Features:Zen mindfulness techniques, Free content, Community practices

Offers free, authentic Zen meditation practices from a renowned teacher for deep mindfulness.

Waking Up: Meditation & Wisdom icon
2

Waking Up: Meditation & Wisdom

by Waking Up Course, LLC4.9/5(41,819 reviews)Free
Best for:Those seeking philosophical depth in meditation

Pros:

  • High user rating
  • Wisdom integration
  • Comprehensive guides

Cons:

  • Premium content may require payment
  • Learning curve for beginners
Key Features:Wisdom teachings, Sleep improvement tools, Clarity-focused meditations

A life-changing app that combines meditation with wisdom teachings for deeper insights and better sleep.

Medito: Guided Meditation icon
3

Medito: Guided Meditation

by Medito Foundation4.9/5(3,731 reviews)Free
Best for:Budget-conscious users and beginners

Pros:

  • Completely free
  • Diverse content
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • Limited advanced features
  • May have fewer updates
Key Features:Always free, Breathing exercises, Sleep stories

An always-free app providing guided meditations, mindfulness courses, and sleep stories without any cost.

Insight Timer–Meditate & Sleep icon
4

Insight Timer–Meditate & Sleep

by Insight Network Inc4.9/5(430,362 reviews)Free
Best for:Beginners and experienced meditators seeking variety

Pros:

  • Extensive meditation library
  • Free content
  • High user satisfaction

Cons:

  • Streak tracking can be unreliable
  • Minor bugs in practice logging
Key Features:Guided meditations, Sleep aids, Community features

Boasts the most time spent meditating by users, with a vast library of sessions for everyone.

User Sentiment: Users love the variety of meditations but note issues with streak tracking.
Open: Breathwork + Meditation icon
5

Open: Breathwork + Meditation

by Open Inc4.9/5(11,612 reviews)Free
Best for:Users looking for innovative mindfulness practices

Pros:

  • Personal growth focus
  • Breathwork techniques
  • Modern approach

Cons:

  • Niche appeal
  • May not suit traditional meditators
Key Features:Breathwork exercises, Vibrancy tools, Growth-oriented meditations

Focuses on breathwork and meditation as tools for personal growth and vibrant living.

Balance: Meditation & Sleep icon
6

Balance: Meditation & Sleep

by The Mind Company4.9/5(117,730 reviews)Free
Best for:Individuals needing structured, daily meditation coaching

Pros:

  • Personalized programs
  • Daily guidance
  • Stress and sleep focus

Cons:

  • Limited customization
  • May feel repetitive
Key Features:Personalized meditation coach, Daily questions, Sleep improvement

Acts as a personal meditation coach with daily personalized guided sessions.

Headspace: Meditation & Health icon
7

Headspace: Meditation & Health

by Headspace Inc.4.8/5(973,935 reviews)Free
Best for:Those managing anxiety, stress, or seeking quick support

Pros:

  • AI counseling (Ebb)
  • Expert-led sessions
  • Wide range of courses

Cons:

  • Premium features costly
  • AI may not replace human therapy
Key Features:AI counseling chat, Guided meditations, Sleep sounds

An expert-led app with AI counseling features for immediate mental health support.

User Sentiment: Users praise the AI feature for instant help with panic and stress.
Calm icon
8

Calm

by Calm.com4.8/5(1,914,078 reviews)Free
Best for:Users focusing on sleep improvement and relaxation

Pros:

  • Sleep stories
  • Relaxation tools
  • High-quality content

Cons:

  • Premium content expensive
  • Limited free options
Key Features:Sleep stories, Guided meditations, Relaxation music

The #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation with beloved sleep stories and instructors.

User Sentiment: Users enjoy the sleep aids and specific instructors like Jay and Bhavnisha.
Mesmerize - Visual Meditation icon
9

Mesmerize - Visual Meditation

by Rockwell Ventures4.7/5(50,844 reviews)Free
Best for:Visual learners and those seeking immersive meditation

Pros:

  • Visual meditation
  • Engaging experience
  • Relaxing music

Cons:

  • May not suit traditionalists
  • Limited content variety
Key Features:Audio-visual meditations, Engaging visuals, Expertly crafted guides

Combines engaging visuals with audio for a unique audio-visual meditation experience.

Aura: Meditation & Sleep, CBT icon
10

Aura: Meditation & Sleep, CBT

by Aura Health Inc.4.7/5(34,362 reviews)Free
Best for:Users wanting personalized mental health support

Pros:

  • Personalized content
  • CBT integration
  • Sleep tools

Cons:

  • Subscription required for full features
  • Can be overwhelming
Key Features:CBT techniques, Personalized meditations, Sleep aids

A personalized all-in-one app for mental wellness with CBT techniques and sleep support.

Mo Meditation, Sleep, Recovery icon
11

Mo Meditation, Sleep, Recovery

by Mo Meditation Inc.4.5/5(2,321 reviews)Free
Best for:Individuals aiming to quit smoking, drink less, or build better routines

Pros:

  • Habit-breaking tools
  • Sleep improvement
  • Stress relief

Cons:

  • Lower rating than others
  • Niche focus may not appeal to all
Key Features:Habit-breaking meditations, Recovery focus, Routine building

Focuses on breaking unhealthy habits and improving sleep through meditation.

Comparison Insights

Key Differences

Apps vary in meditation styles (e.g., Zen vs. visual), pricing models (free vs. subscription), and special features like AI counseling or habit-breaking tools.

How to Choose

Consider your goals (e.g., sleep, stress, habit change), budget, preferred meditation style, and need for personalization or community features.

Common Limitations

Apps may not replace professional therapy, have limited free content, or suffer from technical issues like unreliable tracking.

Emerging Trends

AI integration for instant support, visual meditation experiences, and personalized coaching are becoming more prevalent.

Key Insights

Most apps offer free tiers with premium upgrades; user ratings are consistently high across the category; variety in meditation styles caters to different preferences; sleep and stress relief are common focuses; AI and personalization are emerging trends.

Buying Guide

Essential Features

  • Guided meditation sessions
  • Sleep improvement tools
  • User-friendly interface

Nice to Have

  • AI or personalized coaching
  • Community features
  • Offline access

⚠️ Red Flags

  • Hidden costs in free apps
  • Poor user reviews on reliability
  • Limited content updates

Pricing Expectations

Most apps are free with subscriptions ranging from $5-15/month for premium features like advanced courses and ad-free experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key benefits of using meditation apps?

They help reduce stress, improve sleep, and build mindfulness habits with guided sessions accessible anytime.

How do I choose between free and paid meditation apps?

Start with free apps to explore basics; upgrade to paid if you need advanced features, personalized content, or ad-free experiences.

What's the learning curve like for beginners?

Most apps are designed for easy use with step-by-step guides, but some may have steeper curves for specialized techniques.

Conclusion

These top meditation apps for iOS offer diverse features, high user satisfaction, and options for every budget and need. From free Zen practices to AI-enhanced support, they empower users to enhance mental wellness.

Our Final Recommendation

Choose Plum Village for free authenticity, Medito for cost-effectiveness, or Headspace for innovative features based on your priorities.

🔮

What We're Hoping to See in the Future

Expect more AI integration, personalized experiences, and expanded content libraries in meditation apps to cater to evolving user needs.

Current Trends: AI integration for instant support, visual meditation experiences, and personalized coaching are becoming more prevalent.

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