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Head-to-head · Meditation Apps

Insight Timer vs Waking Up

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Insight Timer #1 in Meditation Apps 9.3/10 Free plan · paid from $59.99/yr · 7-day trial Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Insight Timer
Waking Up #7 in Meditation Apps 7.7/10 From $129.99/yr ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Waking Up

Insight Timer leads on 2 checks, Waking Up on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreInsight Timer · 9.3/10
  • Lowest starting priceInsight Timer · $59.99/yr
  • Free planonly Insight Timer

Insight Timer scores higher on our rubric for meditation apps: 9.3 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

Insight Timer offers free plan; Waking Up doesn't. Insight Timer is cheaper to start at $59.99/yr against $129.99/yr.

Insight Timer is the better fit for people wanting a broad free meditation library. Waking Up is the better fit for A guided course and reflective daily practice.

  • Insight Timer fits best

    People wanting a broad free meditation library

  • Waking Up fits best

    A guided course and reflective daily practice

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Insight Timer 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Waking Up 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 7.7
Ranking #1 in Meditation Apps #7 in Meditation Apps
Best for People wanting a broad free meditation library A guided course and reflective daily practice
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price $59.99/yr (best) $129.99/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile, Desktop Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android, macOS Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Insight Timer 4/4 · Waking Up 4/4
Sleep content ✓ ✓
Guided programs ✓ ✓
Offline access ✓ ✓
Breathing exercises ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile platforms Both Both
Session length Not published 5–15 min
Our review
Pros
  • Free access to many guided practices and courses
  • Includes sleep content, breathing exercises and live classes
  • Customizable timer with interval bells; the timer works offline
  • A month-long introductory course alongside daily guided sessions
  • Breathing, body scans, sleep meditations and contemplative content
  • Download sessions and playlists for offline listening
Cons
  • Offline track downloads require MemberPlus
  • MemberPlus costs $59.99 annually or $9.99 monthly
  • Support channels listed are limited to documentation
  • No unrestricted free plan
  • Annual membership costs $129.99
  • Monthly billing costs $19.99 and renews recurrently
Our verdict

Insight Timer brings guided meditation, talks, music, courses, sleep tracks and live classes together with breathing exercises and a customizable timer. It suits people who want several kinds of mindfulness practice in one app, including…

Read the review →

Waking Up brings guided meditation together with lessons and conversations on subjects including philosophy, psychology and sleep. Its guided sessions cover attentive breathing and body scans, while a month-long introductory course gives…

Read the review →
  1. Insight TimerMeditation Apps 9.3Free plan · paid from $59.99/yr · 7-day trial
  2. Waking UpMeditation Apps 7.7From $129.99/yr

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Insight Timer — where it wins

    • Free access to many guided practices and courses
    • Includes sleep content, breathing exercises and live classes
    • Customizable timer with interval bells; the timer works offline

    Where it doesn't

    • Offline track downloads require MemberPlus
    • MemberPlus costs $59.99 annually or $9.99 monthly
    • Support channels listed are limited to documentation

  • Waking Up — where it wins

    • A month-long introductory course alongside daily guided sessions
    • Breathing, body scans, sleep meditations and contemplative content
    • Download sessions and playlists for offline listening

    Where it doesn't

    • No unrestricted free plan
    • Annual membership costs $129.99
    • Monthly billing costs $19.99 and renews recurrently
  • Insight Timer9.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $59.99/yr · 7-day trial

    A broad free library for guided meditation, sleep content, courses and timer-based practice.

    Visit Insight TimerFull verdict →
  • Waking Up7.7/10 · From $129.99/yr

    A guided course and reflective daily practice, with a relatively high annual price.

    Visit Waking UpFull verdict →

More comparisons

All meditation apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Guides on meditation apps

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update