Waking Up is the meditation app for people who want more than stress relief. Created by neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris, it combines guided meditation with intellectual depth — exploring consciousness, philosophy, and the nature of the mind. After three months of daily practice, here's our honest review.
Waking Up — Our Rating: 4.8/5
The most intellectually rigorous meditation app. Sam Harris combines neuroscience with contemplative traditions. Best for experienced meditators and curious minds.
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Our Verdict
Waking Up is the best meditation app for intellectual depth and for meditators who want to understand the "why" behind the practice, not just the "how." Sam Harris's approach strips away religious dogma and grounds meditation in neuroscience and philosophy.
Choose Waking Up if: You're intellectually curious, want philosophical depth alongside practice, or have tried other apps and want something more challenging.
Choose Headspace instead if: You're a complete beginner — Waking Up moves fast and assumes some meditation experience.
What Is Waking Up?
Waking Up was created by Sam Harris — neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times bestselling author. Recognised as a 2025 NYT Wirecutter pick and a 2026 App Store "App of the Day," it's built around the idea that meditation isn't just a relaxation tool but a way to examine the nature of consciousness itself.
The app features a 28-day introductory course, daily guided meditations, lessons on philosophy and psychology, conversations with leading thinkers, and practices from traditions including Vipassana, Dzogchen, Zen, and Advaita Vedanta.
Key Features
Introductory Course (28 Days)
Sam Harris guides you through 28 progressive sessions that go beyond basic mindfulness into nondual awareness. It's more advanced than typical beginner courses — even experienced meditators report breakthroughs.
Daily Meditations
New guided sessions delivered regularly, ranging from 10-20 minutes. Sam's calm, precise voice and intellectual approach create a unique meditation experience.
Theory Section
What sets Waking Up apart: lessons and conversations exploring consciousness, ethics, Stoicism, psychedelics research, and the philosophy of mind. Teachers include Joseph Goldstein, Adyashanti, and Henry Shukman.
Moments
Short reflections (1-2 minutes) for quick mindfulness hits throughout the day. Perfect for busy schedules.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $14.99/month | Cancel anytime |
| Annual | $129.99/year ($10.83/mo) | 30-day free trial |
| Scholarship | Free | Full year free for anyone who can't afford it |
Waking Up is the most expensive meditation app on our list, but the 30-day free trial is the most generous. The scholarship programme is genuinely noble — anyone who emails gets a free year, no questions asked.
Pros & Cons
What We Loved
- Intellectual depth — the only app that makes you smarter about meditation, not just better at it
- Teacher quality — Sam Harris plus world-class contemplative teachers
- Theory + practice — unique combination of philosophical understanding and actual meditation
- 30-day free trial — the most generous trial in the industry
- Scholarship programme — free for anyone who can't afford it, no questions asked
- No fluff — no gamification, no streaks, no New Age nonsense
What Could Be Better
- Not beginner-friendly — the introductory course moves quickly into advanced concepts
- Most expensive — $129.99/year vs $69.99 for Headspace or Calm
- Sam Harris's voice dominates — if his style doesn't resonate, options are limited
- No sleep content — no equivalent to Calm's Sleep Stories
- Niche appeal — the philosophical approach isn't for everyone
Waking Up vs Alternatives
| App | Best For | Price | Depth | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waking Up | 🏆 Intellectual depth | $129.99/yr | 🏆 Deepest | ★★★★★ 4.8 |
| Headspace | Beginners | $69.99/yr | Good | ★★★★★ 4.8 |
| Insight Timer | Free variety | Free / $59.99/yr | Varies | ★★★★★ 4.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Waking Up
Is Waking Up worth $129.99/year?
For intellectually curious meditators, absolutely. The combination of guided practice and philosophical depth is unique. The 30-day free trial is generous enough to decide. If you can't afford it, the scholarship gives you a full free year.
Is Waking Up good for beginners?
Honest answer: not ideal. The 28-day introductory course moves into advanced concepts quickly. Complete beginners should start with Headspace and transition to Waking Up once they have a basic practice established.
Is Waking Up really free for those who can't afford it?
Yes. Email support@wakingup.com and you'll receive a free year. Sam Harris has stated publicly that money should never be a barrier to accessing meditation.
How is Waking Up different from Headspace?
Headspace teaches you how to meditate. Waking Up teaches you how to meditate AND why — exploring consciousness, the nature of self, and contemplative philosophy. Headspace is friendlier; Waking Up is deeper.
Who is Sam Harris?
Sam Harris is a neuroscientist, philosopher, and five-time New York Times bestselling author. He has practiced meditation for 30+ years and studied with teachers across Tibetan, Indian, Burmese, and Western traditions. He created Waking Up as the resource he wished he'd had when he started.
