Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

Insight Timer

Free

Insight Timer offers the largest free library of guided meditations on the planet and a community of millions of meditators. The app features thousands of teachers and various meditation practices.

Our take

An expansive collection of free meditations.

Alright, so Insight Timer is this app that’s all about meditation and mindfulness, right? It’s like they’ve crammed a whole bunch of guided meditations and music tracks in there for you to sift through. The cool thing is, it’s got a massive library — think of it like Netflix but for meditation. If you’re someone who likes options, you’re in luck. You can browse through thousands of meditations on everything from stress relief to better sleep. It’s a bit overwhelming at first, but once you find what works for you, it’s like having a meditation coach in your pocket.

Now, I’m not gonna lie, the interface can be a bit clunky sometimes. It’s not the worst, but there are moments when you’re just trying to find something specific and you end up diving down a rabbit hole. They could definitely work on making it more intuitive. That said, there’s a search bar that comes in handy, and they do a decent job of organizing things into categories. Plus, they’ve got this whole community vibe going on, where you can see what other people are tuning into, which is kinda neat if you’re into that.

One of the standout features is the timer itself — hence the name, I guess. You can totally customize your meditation sessions, set intervals, and choose from a bunch of ambient sounds. It’s simple, but it works. If you’re someone who prefers doing your own thing without a guide jabbering in your ear, this part is gold. You can get that Zen vibe going just how you like it. There are also some nifty little stats you can track, like how many days you’ve meditated in a row, which is great for keeping you motivated if you’re trying to build a habit.

As for the free versus premium thing, well, that’s where it gets a bit iffy. The free version is pretty generous in terms of content, but like most apps, they dangle the good stuff behind a paywall. If you’re cool with spending some cash, you get access to more exclusive courses and offline listening. It’s not crazy expensive, but it’s definitely something to think about if you’re on a budget. Just know that you can still get a lot of mileage out of the free version if you’re not looking to splurge.

Overall, Insight Timer is worth a shot if you’re keen on meditating or just looking for a bit of calm in your day. It’s not perfect, but it’s got enough going for it to make it a solid pick. Just be ready to do a bit of exploring to find your groove. If you’re okay with a few quirks and not afraid of a bit of trial and error, you might just find it’s exactly what you need to chill out and get your mindfulness on.