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Head-to-head · Meditation Apps

Mindfulness Coach vs Waking Up

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Mindfulness Coach #3 in Meditation Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit site
Waking Up #7 in Meditation Apps 7.7/10 From $129.99/yr ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Waking Up

Mindfulness Coach leads on 1 check, Waking Up on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMindfulness Coach · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly Mindfulness Coach

Mindfulness Coach scores higher on our rubric for meditation apps: 9.0 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Mindfulness Coach offers free plan; Waking Up doesn't.

Mindfulness Coach is the better fit for people seeking self-guided mindfulness practice at no cost. Waking Up is the better fit for A guided course and reflective daily practice.

  • Mindfulness Coach fits best

    People seeking self-guided mindfulness practice at no cost

  • 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 Mindfulness Coach 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Waking Up 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 7.7
Ranking #3 in Meditation Apps #7 in Meditation Apps
Best for People seeking self-guided mindfulness practice at no cost A guided course and reflective daily practice
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Not published $129.99/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email Email, Docs
Built for Solo Solo, Small business
Features Mindfulness Coach 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
  • Gradual training pairs mindfulness education with guided audio exercises.
  • Practice logs, goals, progress tracking, and a mastery assessment support reflection.
  • Free app includes downloadable additional exercises and customizable reminders.
  • 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
  • Available as a mobile app for iOS and Android, not a desktop product.
  • Self-guided practice is not a replacement for needed mental health treatment.
  • The focus is mindfulness training rather than a broad set of meditation-app features.
  • No unrestricted free plan
  • Annual membership costs $129.99
  • Monthly billing costs $19.99 and renews recurrently
Our verdict

Mindfulness Coach is a free mobile app created by the VA’s National Center for PTSD for Veterans, service members, and others interested in learning and practicing mindfulness. It combines gradual, self-guided training with educational…

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. Mindfulness CoachMeditation Apps 9.0Free plan
  2. Waking UpMeditation Apps 7.7From $129.99/yr

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Mindfulness Coach — where it wins

    • Gradual training pairs mindfulness education with guided audio exercises.
    • Practice logs, goals, progress tracking, and a mastery assessment support reflection.
    • Free app includes downloadable additional exercises and customizable reminders.

    Where it doesn't

    • Available as a mobile app for iOS and Android, not a desktop product.
    • Self-guided practice is not a replacement for needed mental health treatment.
    • The focus is mindfulness training rather than a broad set of meditation-app features.

  • 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
  • Mindfulness Coach9.0/10 · Free plan

    Free, structured mindfulness training with guided audio, practice tracking, and reminders.

    Visit siteFull 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