# Waking Up review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/waking-up
Website: https://www.wakingup.com/

Meditation and philosophy courses created by Sam Harris

Waking Up is a meditation app created by neuroscientist Sam Harris, with guided meditations, lessons and conversations from many teachers. It is sold as an annual or monthly subscription with a seven-day trial, and it runs on iOS and Android. The company is Waking Up, LLC.

Waking Up pairs guided meditations with lessons and conversations on topics such as nonduality, free will and stoicism. The app organizes content into Practice, Theory and Life, and it starts new users with a 30-day introductory course by Sam Harris. Users can save favorites, curate playlists and download sessions for offline listening.

Membership is sold as an annual plan at $129.99 or a monthly plan at $19.99, and the site offers a seven-day free trial. The company says it donates at least 10 percent of its profits to effective charities, and it runs a scholarship program for people who cannot afford membership. Sessions lean toward philosophy and teaching, not only relaxation.

- Subscription | iOS, Android
- Price: Annual $129.99 or monthly $19.99 after a seven-day trial
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## Strengths

- Structured 30-day introductory course
- Covers philosophy as well as meditation
- Offline downloads and playlists

## Limits

- Subscription only, with no free tier
- Sessions lean toward philosophy rather than relaxation

## Rankings

- #5 of 10 in [best Meditation apps](https://listme.name/best/meditation-apps), score 85.5: 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.

## Alternatives

- [Headspace](https://listme.name/software/headspace), score 92.5
- [Calm](https://listme.name/software/calm), score 91.5
- [Medito](https://listme.name/software/medito), score 89.5
- [Insight Timer](https://listme.name/software/insight-timer), score 87.0
- [Happier Meditation](https://listme.name/software/happier-meditation), score 84.0
- [Smiling Mind](https://listme.name/software/smiling-mind), score 82.5
- [Oak](https://listme.name/software/oak), score 80.5
- [Simple Habit](https://listme.name/software/simple-habit), score 79.0