10 Best Meditation Apps Of 2023

To determine our best meditation apps of 2023 ranking, Forbes Health analyzed data across factors like:

• Whether courses are led by expert teachers
• Free options available, otherwise the price for one month, a year or lifetime
• Whether it includes both freeform and guided meditations, plus how many
• Meditation length, variety and customizable features
• Community-sharing or network feature availability
• If reminders, notifications or calendar sync options are available
• User satisfaction
• Availability (and app store ratings) for iOS and Android devices

All pricing is pulled directly from the app and is accurate at the time of publication, and may differ among users. All star rankings are determined solely by the editorial team.

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Meditation refers to a variety of mind-body practices that typically aim to help one achieve a heightened sense of awareness and calm the mind. This may involve engaging in practices such as concentrated breathing or the repetition of a mantra.

There is much more to meditation than sitting on the floor with crossed legs and closed eyes. Aside from providing the needed forum to ease your mind and refocus your energy, taking time out for yourself and quieting your thoughts could lead to all sorts of other health benefits. It’s the process of shutting out mental distractions, like thinking about work emails and focusing your energy in the present moment. The goal is to increase calmness and psychological balance.

The practice has a long history of increasing calmness and physical relaxation, improving psychological balance, coping with certain illnesses and enhancing overall mindfulness and well-being, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)^[1]Green J. The Effect of Meditation and Physical Activity on the Mental Health Impact of COVID-19–Related Stress and Attention to News Among Mobile App Users in the United States: Cross-sectional Survey. JMIR Mental Health. 2021; 8(4):e23447. .

There are several ways to meditate and target different goals, the NCCIH says, but most have four elements: a quiet location, comfortable posture, focus of attention and breath and openness to the process. However it’s done, the end goal is a clear and calm mental state.

People searching for peace of mind are good candidates for meditating. But taking time to re-center could also boost your physical health, explains the NCCIH. In some cases, practicing meditation can reduce blood pressure, alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and can also help with:

• Pain
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Smoking cessation
• Ulcerative colitis and other conditions

Research in the Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine even notes that structural and functional brain changes have been observed in people with a long-term meditation practice^[2]Behan C. The benefits of meditation and mindfulness practices during times of crisis such as COVID-19. Ir J Psychol Med. 2020;37(4):256-258. . And, a research analysis published in AYU shows consistent meditation can improve memory, reduce heart rate and even blood pressure^[3]Sharma H. Meditation: Process and effects. AYU. 2015 Jul-Sep; 36(3): 233–237. .

When you are ready for a meditation session, start by following these simple steps:

• Set aside a period of time to meditate, even if just for a few minutes (ideally at the same time every day). It’s recommended you meditate on an empty stomach.
• Find a quiet distraction-free space, and get into a comfortable position. Keep your back straight and chest raised—it is not recommended to lay down when meditating.
• Begin to clear your mind, and then proceed by counting numbers or repeating a mantra, tuning into your body.
• Focus on deep, slow breaths. Reflect on your goals and visualize inner peace.

Meditation apps offer a mobile approach to meditation by offering a variety of features. These features may include curated playlists, bedtime stories, live workshops, nature sounds, mindfulness audio streams, body scans, guided meditation lessons and programs, and a wide range of meditations for specific topics like relationships, loneliness, body image and more. Some apps offer timers, trackers and meditation statistics for your viewing as well.

Meditation apps are available both for free, as well as through paid subscriptions for some platforms. Free versions of certain meditation platforms may come with limited access, while a paid account may offer users access to the entirety of an app’s features.

What are the Benefits of Using a Meditation App?

One of the benefits of using a meditation app is choice, as you can select an app that’s best for you based on factors like cost and specific features you’re looking for, such as music, guided meditations, bedtime stories and more. With a wide range of apps to choose from, you can find a match that meets your criteria, whether it be a completely free-to-use platform, free trial, monthly or an annual paid subscription or a combination.

Other benefits include the ability to access meditations and other features from home or on the go.

Whether a mediation app is worth using comes down to personal preference. If you choose to sign up for a paid subscription and use the app numerous times per day or week, it may be a good investment. Meditation apps may also be worthwhile for those looking to improve a certain area in their lives, such as mental health, which could involve courses aimed at relieving anxiety or battling insomnia, for example.

If it’s not something you are sure you will commit to, consider starting with a free trial or free version of a meditation app.

The best meditation app for you is the one that matches your unique needs. This could be one that offers all of the features you’re after or one that will assist you in reaching a personal goal, such as reducing stress.

What to Look for in a Meditation App  

There are a number of things to look out for when considering the use of a meditation app. These may include:

• Cost: Consider how much you are willing to spend, if anything. If you’re looking to meditate at no cost, consider using an app with a completely free version. If you’re interested in trying an app before committing to the subscription fee, you may want an app that offers a  free trial. And when it comes to subscription costs, consider your budget and rule out any apps that don’t match what you’re looking for.

• Features: Think about which features are most important for you and your needs. Perhaps you’re looking for an app that offers a variety of music options, or maybe you’re after guided body scans and meditations specifically. Keep your desired features in mind and choose an app that matches them.

It may also be important for some to find an app that offers lessons and programs taught or led by experts in the field. If this is you, ensure the app you choose offers content provided by experienced professionals, such as a certified instructor of meditation.

Meditation is generally considered safe and helpful in improving some health conditions, but it isn’t a substitute for therapy or medication. Be sure to speak with your doctor about whether meditation might be good for you, or whether you require treatment that goes beyond meditating.

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