Everyone seems to be in a hurry nowadays, and multitasking is the new normal. However, the lives we lead and the things we do every day can wear us down. Our minds start to go on overdrive, and then even anxiety kicks in. Today, more and more people seem to struggle with mental health issues. In this fast-paced and busy world we live in, sometimes, what we need is a few minutes a day to calm ourselves down. Luckily, if you have no idea where to even begin, technology will help you push through. Beyond fitness to calm you down, here are some of the best free meditation apps that are equally helpful.
1. Ten Percent Happier
If you are skeptical about the wonders of meditation, then this app is for you. Based on ABC News correspondent Dan Harris’ book of the same name, Ten Percent Happier is perfect for those having trouble sleeping or managing their anxiety. Every week, you are treated to new content, and subscribing to the premium version grants you access to more than 500 videos, personal coaching, and more.
The simple guided meditations suit beginners the best or those who just want something easy to keep your mind calm. The best part is, it even has special meditations for political stress, which is a common problem in today’s world. Overall, if you want to be just that — 10% happier — you should try this app out.
If you want a taste of their premium offerings, you can get the seven-day free trial. After that, you need to pay $99 per year. Of course, you can always just stick to a free account, which understandably comes with limitations. You can download Ten Percent Happier from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
2. Aura
Aura is one of the best meditation apps on the market today. When you get the Aura app, you are treated to daily meditations, nature sounds, music, and stories. You even gain access to life coaching sessions. All of these features can be personalized to suit the way you are feeling at the moment. You can also keep track of your moods and examine their patterns. This way, you can narrow down which time of the day you feel most stressed and what your possible stressors are if you do not know yet.
Other than that, using the Aura app, you can set reminders throughout the day. These reminders prompt you to breathe and take breaks for mindfulness, so you will always make time for them during your busy day. In fact, the app promises to relieve your stress in just three minutes. So, whenever you feel bogged down by the pressures of life, just take out your smartphone and open the Aura app.
Aura has a free version, which allows you to access a single three-minute meditation per day. If you need more, you must subscribe to the paid version. This gives you access to all of its features. You can subscribe to Aura for $12.99 a month or $7.92 a month if you pay annually. Aura is available to download for free from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store.
3. Breathwrk
While not technically a meditation app, Breathwrk still manages to get the job done well. As its name implies, this app helps you with your breathing, which is a foundational aspect of meditation. Breathwrk gives you free guided breathing exercises to relieve your stress and anxiety. The app also has exercises designed to help you fall asleep or feel more energized. Apart from that, if you find yourself lacking focus or wanting to increase your athletic prowess, there are breathing exercises for those, too.
Perhaps the largest selling point of Breathwrk is that the breathing exercises they advertise are also used by professionals. They include Olympic athletes, yoga experts, Navy SEALs, and even psychologists. The best part is, Breathwrk is totally free, which means it does not even come with in-app purchases.
You can download Breathwrk from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
4. Breethe
If you only have five minutes to spare each day, then Breethe is one of the best meditation apps for you. This app has meditations specifically designed to de-stress its audience. However, it is not just a meditation app to help you relax. If you constantly struggle with insomnia, Breethe also has sleep meditations and calm music playlists. On the other hand, if you just want to wind down, Breethe also has relaxing sounds in its library.
Feeling demotivated? Don’t worry, Breethe has got you covered as well. With inspirational talks and masterclasses at your disposal, this app can help you with a multitude of problems. In a word, it assists you with mindfulness.
You can download Breethe for free on your Android or iOS device. It comes with a free version, which obviously has some limitations. If you want to access the app’s full features, you will need a subscription. Plans start at $13 for three months (billed as a one-time payment of $39), but there is also a lifetime subscription that costs $399.99. If you are dissatisfied with your plan, though, don’t worry. Breethe also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Calm
Some meditation apps only offer short guided sessions, while others only offer long ones. With the Calm app, you get both. So, if you are feeling picky about which meditation to go with on a particular day, the Calm app is the perfect choice for you.
The Calm app offers guided meditations ranging from three minutes to 25 minutes. You have a number of options, too. You can go with a meditation for anxiety or one for mindfulness at work narrated by some famous voices like Matthew McConaughey. There are also a bunch of sleep sounds and nature sounds you can listen to any time. If you are having trouble managing your breathing, the Calm app has exercises for that as well.
Don’t worry about running out of content, though. The Calm app adds new meditations on a daily basis. Other than that, you can track your progress to see how far you have come. If you are just starting out, the Calm app also has beginner-friendly courses. There is even a Calm Kids section for those aged three to 17.
You can try out the Calm app for free with their seven-day free trial. If you like what you get, you can subscribe for $12.99 a month. The Calm app is available on both Android and iOS devices, with recent updates making it compatible with the Apple Watch as well.
6. Headspace
Perhaps one of the most well-known meditation apps, Headspace has plenty to offer. First of all, you get access to guided meditations, sleep sounds, and animations to help you out. If you have no time for full sessions, there are mini-meditations you can follow. There are even SOS meditations designed for emergencies. There are also meditations for kids.
One of the most attractive features Headspace has to offer is its customizability. This meditation app asks you for input and then creates a personalized plan designed specifically for you. So, if you have trouble sleeping or controlling your thoughts, Headspace will make a plan to target your problem areas. Other than that, this app has an extensive library of soundscapes and sleep music.
You can download Headspace from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. There is a free version if you are on a budget, but it does come with limitations. Paid subscriptions grant you full access to its features. You can test out the waters with Headspace’s seven-day free trial and then upgrade to $12.99 a month. On the other hand, if you go for the $70 annual subscription, you can start out with a two-week trial.
7. Insight Timer
Highly touted by experts as one of the best meditation apps you can get your hands on, Insight Timer is unlike any other. First of all, it boasts experienced mindfulness teachers on its payroll. Secondly, it is as customizable as it can get. Insight Timer lets you choose which meditations you want to do. So, if you only have time for a short ten-minute meditation, you can go for it. Conversely, if you have time to do a long 30-minute session, Insight Timer has got you covered for that, too. You can even just set a timer, sit down, and close your eyes without any guidance.
Insight Timer offers guided meditations for both beginners and veterans, and it keeps adding ten or more meditations every day. There are discussion groups for you to join, where you can find likeminded individuals struggling with the same problems as you are. You can also track your progress and earn badges to help keep you motivated.
You can download the Insight Timer app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. It offers free accounts as well as paid subscriptions. Of course, the paid version gives you access to more features. It costs $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year.
8. Meditation and Relaxation Pro
If you want simple yet effective meditations, then download the Meditation and Relaxation Pro app. This is one of those meditation apps that offer sessions designed to help you with a number of things. Whether you are having trouble sleeping or feeling lethargic, this app has something for you. You can also turn to the Meditation and Relaxation Pro app if you lack focus or are feeling stressed. It even has sessions for helping boost self-esteem and becoming overall happier.
The layout of the app is very user-friendly and intuitive. You will not have a hard time navigating through this app or following one of its many meditations. Its sessions also range from shorter meditations to longer ones, so you have plenty to choose from.
You can download the Meditation and Relaxation Pro app for free on your Android or iOS device. If you want its full features, you can start with a seven-day free trial then upgrade to a paid subscription. Its paid plans are relatively cheaper than other apps, though. For starters, you can pay $4.99 a month or $14.99 a year. You can even buy a lifetime subscription for only $19.99.
9. Omvana
If you work better with teachers than going with self-guidance, then Omvana is the meditation app for you. In a way, Omvana acts like your meditation and mindfulness teacher, guiding you every step of the way on your journey to become better. Whether that means managing your anxiety and stress levels or helping you sleep more soundly at night, Omvana has the technique for you.
There are guided meditations ranging from three to 60 minutes. You can also customize Omvana to suit your own preferences and state of mind. Beginners will have an easy time using and adapting to Omvana, while experienced practitioners will find challenging sessions in here, too.
Omvana offers a free version with limitations. If you want the full Omvana experience, you must pay $9.99 a month for a monthly subscription or $7.42 a month for an annual subscription. You can download it for free from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
10. Sattva
With meditations that stem from ancient Vedic principles, Sattva is a mindfulness and meditation app served to you by Sanskrit scholars. There are guided meditations on offer, which start at six minutes each. Sattva also boasts chants, sacred sounds, music, and mantras designed to help you reach the level of mindfulness you are after. Reaching that level is made even easier with the ability to set goals within the app.
If you want to connect with the origins of meditation and mindfulness, Sattva is the perfect choice for you. Not only will it get you in touch with meditation’s ancient roots, but it will also help you become your best self along the way.
Sattva comes free of charge for anyone who wants to use it. There are also optional in-app purchases, beginning at $1.99, to give you access to more features. Sattva is available on Android and iOS.
11. Simple Habit
For a little more variety in terms of mindfulness coaches, get Simple Habit. As one of the meditation apps you can get for free, Simple Habit has plenty to offer. It gives you five-minute sessions with a sundry of coaches, from former monks to the best mindfulness experts at Google. Aside from traditional guided meditations, you also get coaching, bedtime stories to help you sleep better, and motivational guides to keep you energized.
The Simple Habit app works best for those who have little to no time to devote to meditations every day. It is designed for those constantly on-the-go with the goal of achieving mindfulness.
You can download Simple Habit on Android and iOS. If you want full access to features, you can subscribe to their paid plans. Subscriptions are priced at $3.99 a week, $11.99 a month, or $99.99 a year.
12. Smiling Mind
We all know mindfulness can help you calm your mind and soul, but did you know it is also a key aspect of wellness? The psychologists who created Smiling Mind knew it and specifically designed this app to help with that. The Smiling Mind app offers easy ten-minute daily sessions, further divided according to your age range. There are guided meditations for kids, teens, and adults alike. Furthermore, whether you are struggling at work or at school, Smiling Mind has a program for you.
Perhaps the best part of Smiling Mind is that it is one of the few meditation apps that come totally free of charge. That means you get full access to all of its features without paying a dime. You can download this meditation and mindfulness app for free from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
13. Stop, Breathe, & Think
The name of this meditation app makes it clear what it has to offer. Stop, Breathe, & Think tailors your sessions based on your mood. It boasts plenty of guided meditations, yoga videos, and even acupressure videos. These sessions specifically target problem areas, such as anxiety, stress, and difficulty sleeping. You can also track your progress to see how much you have improved over time.
While not totally free like Smiling Mind, Stop, Breathe, & Think does offer 20 activities for free. This allows you to try some of its best offerings before you decide to commit to a purchase. Of course, you can always just stay with the free version, especially if you are strapped for cash. However, if you do decide to upgrade to a paid plan, you can expect to pay $9.99 a month or $59 a year. This meditation app is available on both Android and iOS devices.
14. The Mindfulness App
If you are serious about mindfulness, then the Mindfulness app is one of the best meditation apps you can try. Those who are just starting out can find their footing with this app. It offers a five-day guided practice, as well as an introduction to mindfulness, to help you find your ground. There are also silent or timed meditations ranging from three to 30 minutes in length. Apart from that, like other apps, the Mindfulness app offers personalized options to specifically help you out.
You can get the Mindfulness app for free on the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. It comes with a free version, though you can also pay for premium features with their subscription plans. Subscriptions start at $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. If you are unsure about what the app has to offer in terms of paid features, you can give their seven-day free trial a shot first.
15. YogaGlo
For meditations and yoga all in one, get YogaGlo, or sometimes simply referred to as Glo. This app boasts guided meditations and fulfilling sessions with expert teachers. You can also tailor your sessions based on how long you want them to be and how you are feeling at that moment. It is also goal-oriented to keep you feeling motivated. As its name suggests, there are also yoga classes with great instructors at your disposal.
You can download YogaGlo for free on Android and iOS. It comes with a seven-day free trial. After that, you need a paid subscription of $22.99 per month to continue.
The Road to a Healthy Mind and Soul
These are the best meditation apps you can download for free on your Android or iOS device. If you ever feel like you can’t sleep or are having trouble managing your anxiety, meditation is the best course of action. Of course, you might also want to get professional help, but it all starts with self-help.
Keeping your mental health in check can be tricky. So many outside forces continue to infect and influence the way you think. Social media alone has contributed to a lot of the stress and anxiety people feel, especially those who are younger and grew up with the internet. Mental health is paramount now more than ever — and people recognize that. Meditation can help you immensely, and you can begin your journey with these free meditation apps.
