Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Insight Timer

Free with In-App Purchases

Insight Timer is a vast library of guided meditations and breathing exercises from the world's top meditation and mindfulness experts.

Our take

Your gateway to mindfulness.

Alright, so Insight Timer is this meditation app that's kind of like the Swiss Army knife of mindfulness. It's got this massive library of guided meditations, music tracks, and talks. The sheer volume of content is impressive, with something like over 80,000 options to choose from. That's both a blessing and a curse, though. If you’re new to meditation, the sheer number might feel like you're diving into a bottomless pit of options without a guide. It's like Netflix for meditation — sometimes you spend more time scrolling than actually meditating.

Now, what I do appreciate about Insight Timer is the variety of teachers and styles. If you're into different meditation techniques or want to explore the spiritual spectrum, this app has you covered. From mindfulness to sleep aids, and even some niche stuff like sound healing, it’s all there. It feels like there's something for everyone, which is cool because you can hop around and find what clicks without committing to one style. But, on the flip side, the quality can be hit or miss. Not every teacher will resonate with you, and some sessions just didn’t do it for me.

The community vibe is another interesting aspect. There are groups and forums where you can connect with other users, which is neat if you're into that social element. But, let’s be real — not everyone’s looking for that. Sometimes, you just want to meditate without the pressure to "connect" or "share" with others. If you're not into the social bits, it's easy to ignore, but it’s worth knowing it's there if you ever want to dive in.

I’ve got to mention the timer feature, which is super customizable. You can set it up with different interval bells, ambient sounds, and whatever else you fancy for your session. It’s a solid tool for those who like to meditate solo without guidance, giving you the freedom to tailor your experience. Honestly, it’s one of the best features if you know what you want and just need a reliable timer with a few bells and whistles. But, if you're more into the guided stuff, you might not use it as much.

Overall, Insight Timer is like a meditation buffet — tons of choices, a little overwhelming, but definitely worth checking out. It shines in its variety and community aspects. Just be prepared to sift through some content to find the gems that work for you. It’s free with optional memberships for more features, so you can dip your toes in without a big commitment. Bottom line: if you're curious about meditation or looking to expand your practice, it’s a pretty handy app to have on your phone.

$25/user/month

Free with premium options