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Comparison · Meditation apps

Headspace vs Waking Up: which is better in 2026?

Headspace92.5#1 in best meditation appsWaking Up85.5#5 in best meditation apps

Headspace ranks higher in our list of meditation apps (#1 against #5, score 92.5 against 85.5).

How we rank Share

  • 92.5
    Editorial score
    85.5
  • 3
    Platforms
    2
  • No
    Free to use
    No
  • No
    Open source
    No

Which should you choose?

Choose Headspace if you want

Structured courses for daily practice.

Guided courses, sleep content and a family plan in one subscription. It runs after a 14-day free trial, and the company's online therapy is sold as a separate service.

Choose Waking Up if you want

Meditation with philosophy and teaching.

The most philosophical choice here, with lessons and conversations on nonduality, free will and stoicism beside guided meditations. The annual plan costs $129.99, and a seven-day trial is offered.

Side by side

HeadspaceWaking Up
Score92.585.5
Rank in list#1 of 10#5 of 10
PriceSubscriptionMonthly or annual subscription after a 14-day free trialSubscriptionAnnual $129.99 or monthly $19.99 after a seven-day trial
Free to useNoNo
Open sourceNoNo
PlatformsiOS, iPadOSAndroidiOS, iPadOS, AndroidiOSAndroidiOS, Android
Made byNot statedWaking Up, LLC
Main focusStress, anxiety and sleepAwakening and philosophy-based meditation
Sleep contentSleep music, wind-downs and soundscapesGuided meditations for sleep
CoursesGuided courses30-day introductory course
Best forStructured courses for daily practiceMeditation with philosophy and teaching
Strengths
  • Large library of guided meditations and courses
  • Sleep music, wind-downs and soundscapes
  • Family and student plans are offered
  • Structured 30-day introductory course
  • Covers philosophy as well as meditation
  • Offline downloads and playlists
Limits
  • Core content needs a paid subscription after the trial
  • Subscriptions renew automatically until canceled
  • Subscription only, with no free tier
  • Sessions lean toward philosophy rather than relaxation
LinksVisit site Visit site

Questions about Headspace vs Waking Up

Is Headspace better than Waking Up?
Headspace ranks higher in our list of meditation apps (#1 against #5, score 92.5 against 85.5). Headspace is best for: structured courses for daily practice. Waking Up is best for: meditation with philosophy and teaching.
Which is cheaper, Headspace or Waking Up?
Headspace: Monthly or annual subscription after a 14-day free trial. Waking Up: Annual $129.99 or monthly $19.99 after a seven-day trial.
Do Headspace and Waking Up run on the same platforms?
Headspace supports iOS, iPadOS, Android. Waking Up supports iOS, Android.

Choosing between the two

Learning Center
1:17Beginner · 4 min readHow to decide between two good optionsSettle a close call by sorting it by how hard it is to undo, setting a deadline, scoring the criteria as a tie-breaker and writing down why you chose.1:20Beginner · 6 min readHow to compare products fairly: what to keep in mindDefine the job, cap the must-haves, compare like with like, count total cost over one period and weigh the criteria. Includes a worked example.

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