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Mindfulness App Reviews: 5 Apps you Need to Install Today

A woman meditating using a tablet.
Rating: 5 out of 5

Mindfulness Coach (Available for iOS and Android)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Stop, Breathe & Think (Available for iOS and Android)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Insight Timer (Available for iOS and Android)

Mindfulness Coach (Available for iOS and Android)

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Rating: 5 out of 5
Pros

With an easy-to-use format, this app is designed to help people recovering from depression and trauma. It is highly rated and popular, and it is completely free. There are no upgrades to purchase.

Cons

Some of the voices and formatting could be better. And if you’re not recovering from trauma, it may not be your ideal resource.

Bottom Line

I love using it in the morning because the interface is pretty intuitive for me. It tracks my progress and helps me keep up to date on my meditations and focus. This app is fantastic, and in my mind it is the best app for depression and sufferers of PTSD. Of all the meditation apps I’ve tried, I like this one best. After all, most people have had trauma in the past that could use some healing.

Stop, Breathe & Think (Available for iOS and Android)

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Rating: 4 out of 5
Pros

All the meditations are in one place. It uses an immersive approach that tries to be more holistic and intentional. Research and background are included to help you know not just what you are doing, but why. 78% of first-time users reported an improvement in mood after just one use.

Cons

There are in-app purchases. This app is not as streamlined or focused as other apps. If you want to do just one thing, it can be harder to cut through the rest of the program.

Bottom Line

This is one of the best meditation apps available and is a great tool for mindfulness-based stress reduction. If you are looking for a comprehensive app to organize your entire mindfulness regimen, this may be ideal. But people looking for an app to help them with just one element of mindfulness should look elsewhere.

Insight Timer (Available for iOS and Android)

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Rating: 4 out of 5
Pros

This app has lots of content, with more than 25,000 unique sessions available from 3,000 teachers, covering a wide range of topics. If you have a specific problem to address, this is the app for you. It immerses you in the community, letting you know how many people are using the app and what sessions they are listening to.

Cons

There are in-app purchases. The annual subscription rate is high. The front page is an upgrade advertisement.

Bottom Line

Insight Timer is one of the best apps for stress relief. The community building elements make you feel like you are part of a group and help you feel like you are meditating with others. If you don’t like repeating the same session, Insight Timer has more than 25,000 to choose from. You could do a different lesson every day for 68 years before you run out. But if you suffer from information overload in your life, this may not be the app for you.

UCLA Mindful (Available for iOS and Android)

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Rating: 4 out of 5
Pros

This app is free and has no ads or in-app purchases. It is science and education oriented and was developed by researchers at UCLA. This streamlined, simple app is easy to use. New guided meditation podcasts are added each week

Cons

The content is a bit limited.

Bottom Line

This app could also be called "how to meditate for beginners." It is extremely helpful for those just starting out, and it can also bring value for life-long practitioners because of its academic, scientific approach.
If you are new to mindfulness, you should start here to learn how to de-stress and pick up the basics. UCLA has created an amazing free app for mindfulness. There are no ads or attempts to up-sell. This is a great entry-level mindfulness app for people who want to start slow and prefer the scientific approach. The number of meditations is low, which makes it easier to follow and understand. The only thing I think they could do better is to add more content.
If you are new to mindfulness and looking for apps to reduce stress, I would recommend you give UCLA Mindful a try.

Mindful Eating (Available for iOS and Android)

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Rating: 4 out of 5
Pros

This app focuses on diet and nutrition and incorporates the concept of mindful eating as part of wellness. It helps you track your food and be more aware of what you are eating. My food tastes better after using this app. I eat less, take more time, and enjoy my food more when I am paying attention.

Cons

There are ads and in-app purchases.

Bottom Line

Mindful eating exercises are a valuable tool for everyone, not just people who are trying to lose weight. My food just tastes better, and eating is now a stress-relieving, meditative experience, even when I’m eating with friends or family. Many users report the hypnotic section helps them fall asleep easier as well as pay more attention to what they eat. Many reported losing some weight.

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Find the Best Mindfulness App for You

I like to make big, bold moves. If my focus isn’t razor-sharp, I might lose my confidence and fall on my face, so it’s essential for me to do everything I can to maximize my mind: it’s the only one I’ve got, and there are no replacements.

How mindfulness meditation redefines pain, happiness & satisfaction | Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat | TEDxSFU – TEDx Talks

Mindfulness based stress reduction is one of the fastest ways to improve your focus, and it feels great. Your mind is the best tool you have, and when it’s sharp, everything you do turns out better. The best way to learn how to meditate is taking mindful retreats, but they are time-consuming and can be expensive. Mindfulness apps give you an introduction to meditation without requiring time off work or a lot of money. This is why, when you choose your apps for fitness, you should be certain to set aside some time to explore mindfulness and meditation apps.

There is more to meditation than just sharpening your mind, however. Mindful eating has not seen much mainstream penetration in the West, but that appears to be changing. Practitioners report that mindful eating exercises help them eat less while enjoying their food more, making meals a pleasant and relaxing experience.

I use dietary aids to help my relaxation. Herbal teas, dark chocolate, and relaxation supplements help me unwind after a long day. I recently read an Onnit New Mood review, so I gave it a try and was impressed by the results. If you want to maximize your meditation time, I highly recommend blending food and supplements into your meditation routine.

Everyone has specialized needs, and no one solution is right for everyone. The app you need today may be different from what you will need tomorrow. Thoughtful contemplation and a little research can help you find what you need right now, and as you move forward, you will know when it’s time to change things up.

Which of these apps has the potential to change your life or give you the biggest boost? Try one today and see what you think. I promise you won’t regret it.