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Head-to-head · Meditation Apps

UCLA Mindful vs Meditation by Down Dog

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score UCLA Mindful #2 in Meditation Apps 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit UCLA Mindful
Meditation by Down Dog #6 in Meditation Apps 7.8/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Down Dog

UCLA Mindful leads on 1 check, Meditation by Down Dog 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 scoreUCLA Mindful · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly UCLA Mindful

UCLA Mindful scores higher on our rubric for meditation apps: 9.1 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.

UCLA Mindful offers free plan; Meditation by Down Dog doesn't.

UCLA Mindful is the better fit for A free, practical mindfulness app. Meditation by Down Dog is the better fit for customizable meditation with fitness integrations.

  • UCLA Mindful fits best

    A free, practical mindfulness app

  • Meditation by Down Dog fits best

    Customizable meditation with fitness integrations

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

Side by side

Feature UCLA Mindful 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Meditation by Down Dog 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 7.8
Ranking #2 in Meditation Apps #6 in Meditation Apps
Best for A free, practical mindfulness app Customizable meditation with fitness integrations
Pricing model Free Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
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 UCLA Mindful 4/4 · Meditation by Down Dog 4/4
Sleep content ✓ ✓
Guided programs ✓ ✓
Offline access ✓ ✓
Breathing exercises ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile platforms Both Both
Session length 5–15 min Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Guided meditations, breathing exercises, body scans, and mindful movement
  • Downloadable meditations for offline listening
  • Multiple languages, weekly recordings, podcasts, and a meditation timer
  • Adjust duration, focus, voice, music, guidance, and silence.
  • Includes guided, breathing-focused, and sleep-oriented Yoga Nidra practices.
  • Works offline on mobile and integrates with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit.
Cons
  • Available only on iOS and Android
  • Focused on meditation and mindfulness rather than a broader wellness toolkit
  • Email is the listed support channel
  • Paid subscription; no free plan is available.
  • Practice downloads for offline playback are limited to mobile apps.
  • Subscription access and content are tied to Down Dog's app ecosystem.
Our verdict

UCLA Mindful is a free mobile meditation app developed by UCLA Mindful, the mindfulness education center at UCLA Health. It is aimed at beginners and experienced meditators who want guided practices, breathing exercises, body scans,…

Read the review →

Meditation by Down Dog is a paid meditation and breathing app for people who want to shape each practice around their preferences. It is available on web, iOS, and Android, with options for duration, focus, voice, and music. Users can…

Read the review →
  1. UCLA MindfulMeditation Apps 9.1Free plan
  2. Meditation by Down DogMeditation Apps 7.8Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • UCLA Mindful — where it wins

    • Guided meditations, breathing exercises, body scans, and mindful movement
    • Downloadable meditations for offline listening
    • Multiple languages, weekly recordings, podcasts, and a meditation timer

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only on iOS and Android
    • Focused on meditation and mindfulness rather than a broader wellness toolkit
    • Email is the listed support channel

  • Meditation by Down Dog — where it wins

    • Adjust duration, focus, voice, music, guidance, and silence.
    • Includes guided, breathing-focused, and sleep-oriented Yoga Nidra practices.
    • Works offline on mobile and integrates with Apple Health, Google Fit, and Fitbit.

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid subscription; no free plan is available.
    • Practice downloads for offline playback are limited to mobile apps.
    • Subscription access and content are tied to Down Dog's app ecosystem.

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