In This Article
Headspace is the meditation app that started the mindfulness revolution. With its friendly animations, structured courses, and approachable teaching style, it's designed to make meditation accessible to absolute beginners. After three months of daily use, here's our honest assessment of whether it deserves its reputation as the best meditation app.
Headspace — Our Rating: 4.8/5
The best meditation app for beginners. Structured courses, charming design, and science-backed techniques. Now includes therapy and coaching too.
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Our Verdict
Headspace is the best meditation app for beginners and anyone who wants a structured, progressive approach to learning meditation. The courses build skills systematically, the design is delightful, and the teaching quality is excellent.
Choose Headspace if: You're new to meditation, want structured courses, or prefer a guided, step-by-step approach to building a daily practice.
Choose Calm instead if: Sleep is your primary concern (Calm's Sleep Stories are unmatched) or you prefer a more relaxed, less structured experience.
Choose Insight Timer instead if: You want a completely free option with massive variety.
What Is Headspace?
Headspace was founded in 2010 by Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk, and Rich Pierson. What started as a meditation app has evolved into a comprehensive mental health platform offering meditation, sleep tools, movement exercises, focus music, and even therapy and coaching services through Headspace Care.
The app features over 500 guided meditations organised into structured courses and individual sessions covering anxiety, stress, sleep, focus, self-esteem, relationships, and more. Headspace's signature animated videos explain meditation concepts in simple, memorable ways.
Best Headspace Courses
Managing Anxiety (30 Sessions)
This is Headspace's standout course for our audience. Across 30 progressive sessions, it teaches specific techniques for recognising anxious thoughts, creating mental distance, and developing a calmer baseline. It pairs perfectly with our meditation for anxiety guide.
Basics (10 Sessions)
The essential starting point. Ten sessions that teach the fundamentals of meditation — breath awareness, body scanning, and gentle focus. If you've never meditated before, start here.
Sleep (Wind Down Collection)
Headspace's sleep content includes Sleepcasts (audio experiences designed to help you fall asleep), sleep music, and wind-down meditations. While not as extensive as Calm's Sleep Stories, the quality is excellent.
Focus Music
One of Headspace's most underrated features — scientifically designed music and soundscapes to help you concentrate during work. This alone could justify the subscription for some users.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.99/month | 7-day free trial |
| Annual | $69.99/year ($5.83/mo) | 14-day free trial — best value |
| Student | $9.99/year | 85% off — verified students only |
| Family | $99.99/year | Up to 6 family members |
The student plan at $9.99/year is exceptional value — essentially free. The annual plan at $5.83/month is competitive with Calm ($5.83-6.67/month) and significantly cheaper than Waking Up ($10.83/month).
Pros & Cons
What We Loved
- Structured courses — the progressive learning approach is the best in the industry for building a lasting meditation habit
- Beginner-friendly — animated explainers and gentle guidance make meditation completely approachable
- Anxiety-specific content — the Managing Anxiety course is genuinely effective
- Focus music — scientifically designed work soundscapes are a major bonus
- Student pricing — $9.99/year is unbeatable for college students
- Therapy available — Headspace Care now offers licensed therapy through the same app
What Could Be Better
- Less variety than competitors — 500+ meditations vs Insight Timer's 250,000+
- Sleep content not as deep as Calm — Calm's Sleep Stories library is larger and more varied
- Andy Puddicombe's voice — you'll hear it a lot; if it doesn't resonate, that's a problem
- Limited free content — Insight Timer offers far more for free
- Therapy is expensive — Headspace Care therapy costs $149/session without insurance
Headspace vs Alternatives
| App | Best For | Price | Free Trial | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headspace | 🏆 Beginners & anxiety | $69.99/yr | 14 days | ★★★★★ 4.8 |
| Calm | Sleep & relaxation | $69.99/yr | 7 days | ★★★★★ 4.7 |
| Insight Timer | 🏆 Free content | Free / $59.99/yr | Free forever | ★★★★★ 4.9 |
| Waking Up | Intellectual depth | $129.99/yr | 30 days | ★★★★★ 4.8 |
For a detailed breakdown, read our Calm vs Headspace comparison or browse all options in our best meditation apps 2026 guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Headspace
Is Headspace worth it in 2026?
Yes, especially for beginners. Headspace's structured courses make building a meditation habit easy. At $69.99/year ($5.83/month), it's competitive with Calm and much cheaper per session than in-person meditation classes. The 14-day free trial lets you test everything.
How much does Headspace cost?
Headspace costs $12.99/month or $69.99/year. Student plan is just $9.99/year (85% off). Family plan is $99.99/year for up to 6 members. A 14-day free trial is available with the annual plan.
Is Headspace or Calm better?
Headspace is better for structured learning and beginners — its progressive courses build skills systematically. Calm is better for sleep content and relaxation. Both cost around $70/year. Read our full comparison.
Is Headspace free?
Headspace offers limited free content and a 14-day free trial. After that, a subscription is required. For a fully free alternative, Insight Timer offers 250,000+ free meditations.
Can Headspace help with anxiety?
Yes — the Managing Anxiety course (30 sessions) is specifically designed for anxious minds and is one of the best anxiety resources we've tested. SOS emergency meditations provide quick relief during acute anxiety. See our meditation for anxiety guide.
Does Headspace now offer therapy?
Yes. Headspace Care offers licensed therapy ($149/session without insurance) and text-based coaching ($99.99/month) directly through the app. Some insurance plans cover therapy sessions. It's separate from the standard meditation subscription.
