5 Best Alternatives to Headspace

Technologies give us the opportunity to take greater control of our mental clarity than ever before. We use meditations and mindfulness to improve our mood, reduce burnout, and increase productivity.

Headspace has a large following among people seeking to sleep better and feel more mindful, thanks to its meditation guides and exercises.

Still, no single app can meet everyone's needs. We'll explore some of the best Headspace alternatives, cover their features, what makes them stand out, and which users will benefit most.

Key Learnings:

• There is no single best meditation app; different alternatives to Headspace serve different needs, from sleep and building simple habits to self-discovery.
• Liven is best for deep self-discovery; Plum Village suits those seeking spiritually motivating meditation teachers; Smiling Mind works well for mental fitness for all ages; Calm is ideal for sleep and relaxation; and Insight Timer is best for users who want a wide variety of meditation styles.
• The most effective mindfulness app is the one that aligns with your goals, feels sustainable to use, and supports consistency over time.

Best Alternatives to Headspace

⚠️ Disclaimer: Prices are subject to change. Please check our official website to confirm the most up-to-date rates.

Please note that while these apps can support your journey, they are not diagnostic tools or replacements for therapy. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, trauma, or intense anxiety, please consult a mental health professional.

1. Best All-In-One Alternative: Liven

Liven is an all-in-one self-discovery companion designed to help you understand your thoughts, stop procrastinating, and build healthy routines. Their program isn't strictly meditation-based; it’s about learning who you are, what affects your mood, and how you can make choices that feel aligned with your well-being.

Core Features:

• Personalized growth & mindfulness program
• Bite-sized content
• Journal
• Routine Builder
• Well-being tests
• Smart companion Livie
• Deep-focused soundscapes.

Strengths:

• Holistic focus on self-discovery
• Integrated tools connect deep introspection with practical changes
• Informed by science and reviewed by licensed wellness specialists
• Offers long-term growth and works as a daily companion
• Helps with tracking progress in manageable steps.

Considerations:

• May feel too introspective for people looking for simple practices
• It is not strictly a meditation app and aims at a holistic approach to long-term self-discovery.

Platforms: Liven is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Price: Liven's weekly subscription starts at $7.99.

If this feels like an app you might be interested in, you can take a free quiz and get your personalized dopamine management plan.

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2. Plum Village App for Unique Guided Meditations

Want a meditation app with 100% free content? The Plum Village App offers mindfulness techniques inspired by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and Buddhist philosophy. It aims to make meditation more accessible to users of all levels, from beginning meditators to advanced practitioners.

Core Features:

• 100+ guided meditations
• A mindfulness bell
• Customizable timers
• Video sessions and Q&As with meditation teachers
• Meditations for children
• Offline downloads.

Strengths:

• Unique guided meditations, such as Bubble Journey
• Completely free and without ads
• Wide range of content that includes poems, songs, and talks
• Authentic and designed to build spiritual self-awareness.

Considerations:

• The content may feel more philosophical than some secular apps
• May have fewer meditations compared to for-profit apps
• Due to its depth, it may feel more suitable for advanced meditators.

Platforms: Available in App Store and Google Play.

Price: It's a free alternative to Headspace with core content available at no charge.

3. Smiling Mind: More Than Breathing Techniques

Smiling Mind is a mental fitness and meditation app that helps users develop resilience, manage stress, build emotional awareness, and improve overall well-being.

Core Features:

• Over 700 guided meditations and exercises
• Stress management tools
• 50+ curated collections
• Mindfulness programs for the entire family
• Offline downloads
• Personalized routines.

Strengths:

• 100% free and accessible without paywalls or subscriptions
• Designed for all ages
• Evidence-based and research-backed content
• Versatile and helps users with various personal goals.

Considerations:

• The focus is on mindfulness and mental fitness, not just meditation
• Doesn't have a storytelling focus or background music that some might prefer
• Users looking for more entertainment content may find it not quite the match.

Platforms: Smiling Mind is available on the App Store and Google Play.

Price: Completely free, Smiling Mind is a nonprofit program that specifically helps communities and vulnerable populations.

4. Best Headspace Alternative for Better Sleep: Calm App

Calm app isn't just a meditation app. It helps users reduce stress and improve sleep by enabling them to practice mindfulness, build a bedtime routine, and relax before bedtime.

Core Features:

• Sleep meditations
• Sleep sounds
• Body scans
• Effective browsing and filtering
• Sleep content.

Strengths:

• Sleep-first focus with lots of meditation guides
• High-quality production with soothing voices and polished audio
• Calming content beyond guided meditation
• Curated programs for different goals.

Considerations

• Most of the best content requires a premium subscription
• May not be suitable for users not focused on sleep improvement
• Slightly more expensive compared to other apps.

Platforms: This program is available on the Apple App Store, the Google Play Store, and in the browser.

Price:

Calm has a freemium plan with a limited free version. Once users pay $14.99/month, they gain access to a vast library of sleep stories, courses, and exclusive meditations, in addition to the free content.

5. Best Free Alternative to Headspace: Insight Timer

Insight Timer is a great free option if your primary motivation is pricing. If you're looking for a variety of guided meditations from meditation teachers, Insight Timer can be one of the most effective tools out there.

Core Features:

• Guided meditations
• Sleep stories
• Filtering through the meditation app
• Simple timer feature
• Detailed tracking
• Community meet-ups
• Yoga classes.

Strengths:

• More than 150,000 meditations in the free version
• A variety of voices & styles makes meditation sessions fun
• Strong community feel with live events and group activities
• Good for meditation basics and more complex practices.

Considerations:

• The sheer content volume can make Insight Timer feel overwhelming at first
• Quality and style vary widely since many instructors contribute
• Some of the most structured learning paths aren't available in the free option.

Platforms: Available on iOS, Android, and through a web app.

Price:

Insight Timer is free and offers a massive library. If you want to become a Member Plus and get a $60 annual subscription to support the app, you get a seven-day free trial and receive access to premium features that include offline listening, meditation courses, and more organization tools.

Final Thoughts

Whether you have chosen an alternative to the Headspace app or want to stay with this meditation app, you have plenty of time to decide. As you're looking at Liven, Plum Village App, Smiling Mind, Calm App, or Insight Timer, allow yourself time for reflection.

Ask yourself what it is that you want to prioritize: breathing exercises, sleep stories, mindfulness meditation, or a comprehensive well-being plan? Try free versions that seem interesting, listen to what your mind says, try some other apps, and let yourself choose what app brings you the most joy.

References

1. Fnu, V., Rajasekaran, D., Pilaniya, A., Aggarwal, K., Virmani, M., Gupta, A., & Jain, R. (2025). Reducing healthcare burnout through meditation: Benefits and challenges. Cogent Mental Health, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/28324765.2025.2477699