Meditation has become a household name in the last 10 years or so. While the practice is as ancient, increasing workload, pressure, distractions, and stress have further contributed to the popularity of meditation. It helps keep calm and be mindful which is what we need the most in this constant abuzz life. Smartphones and meditation apps for Android and iOS have only contributed to the growth of the phenomenon.
While there is no dearth of choice, you need to find the best meditation app for you. One that works in favor instead of against your needs. There is no one way to meditate and different practitioners will preach you different techniques. But how to choose your nectar? I’m afraid mindfulness is a journey that you will have to take alone. Find your inner peace and realize what’s working and what’s not.
With that thought in mind, let’s begin.
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Meditation Apps for Android and iOS
1. Headspace
Headspace was one of the first meditation apps that became popular among meditation enthusiasts and practitioners alike. Andy Puddicombe developed Headspace but before that, he was a Buddhist monk who traveled Asia extensively. It is his calm and soothing voice that you will be hearing as he guides you through your thoughts and dreams.
Headspace comes with a free 30-day trial which is amazing. After that, you can subscribe to pro plans that will unlock a myriad of sessions targeting specific interests and problems in like health, cancer, work, personal life problems and resulting stress, anxiety, self-esteem, and sleep among others.
Each session is accompanied by an animated video that will explain what to expect and how to move forward. Headspace is great for beginners and pros alike. Andy knows how to ease you into the program. Plans begin at $9.99.
Download Headspace: Android | iOS
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2. Calm
Calm features a number of meditation teachers and experts who have each created their own courses on the topic. It acts like a middleman or a platform where teachers and students meet. You get to listen to a sample after which, you can subscribe to the full course. There are reviews and ratings in place to help make the call. Two unique expects like music to help you calm and stories to help you sleep.
Because of the wide variety of meditation and mindfulness courses, Calm is suitable for all kinds of meditation app users, whether beginners, intermediaries or pro. Like Headspace, there are different sections for sleeping, stress, and more however, Calm goes beyond what other apps offers. This is again made possible due to the course style platform that it has created. The subscription begins at $14.99.
3. Insight Timer
Insight Timer has a structure that mostly resembles Calm. There are over 30k courses from a number of teachers across the world. However, unlike Calm, Insight Timer is pretty much free but you can support it with donations. While guided meditations are good for beginners, pros like to meditate in silence, without any voice or coach interrupting them. That’s why Insight Timer comes with a damn useful timer.
One of the best meditation apps for Android and iOS, Insight Timer has a lot of amazing content just waiting to be discovered. All you have to do it begin with the free 7-day trial session which will ease you into the meditation and mindful habit.
Download Insight Timer: Android | iOS
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4. Stop, Breathe & Think
The name of the meditation app for Android and iOS says it all. That’s the first step and if you master this bit, you are already halfway there. How are you feeling today? Log your emotions daily to receive meditation sessions based on the same. That will help you tame your emotions, get in control, and think clearly on what needs to be done.
Over a period of time, you will see a graph on how you were feeling before you started meditation, and how you are feeling now. Are you making progress and in more control of your emotions and thoughts? Some unique and useful additions are yoga, acupressure, and guided meditation videos. Subscription begins at $9.99/month.
Download Stop, Breathe & Think: Android | iOS
5. Simple Habit
Simple Habit comes with a neat and simple UI with a collection of guided meditation focused on different situations and needs. Like most meditation apps for Android and iOS, you can download sessions here too. But that feature is limited to the pro plan. There are bedtime stories, motivational guide, and more.
Simple Habit became popular because it offers 5-minute sessions that you can take anywhere, anytime. They say 5 minutes is enough to improve focus and be mindful of what you are doing and where you are. Monthly subscriptions begin at $11.99 per month.
Download Simple Habit: Android | iOS
Meditations Apps for Android and iOS
I will make it easy for you. Get Headspace if you are a beginner and follow through their 30-day free program. It’s one of the best meditation and mindfulness program right now. Headspace is amazing for both beginners and intermediates.
You can do the same with Calm. The free sessions are awesome but it offers way more courses than Headspace. Plus, there are a number of teachers who each bring something new and unique to the table. Different teachers have different styles. So you have more choice.
I personally use Insight Timer. It is completely and comes with a lot of meditation courses on every topic imaginable. Plus, the timer is really helpful when you are meditating yourself. That should be your ultimate goal. You shouldn’t rely on guided sessions all the time. Once you have mastered the art, practice mindfulness alone. Have you ever since Buddhist monks use smartphones to meditate? It’s supposed to be distraction-free and if you are focusing on listening to someone speak, then you are focusing more on the voice than on your inner feelings and thoughts. It’s a means to an end and not the end itself.
