UCLA Mindful vs Smiling Mind

UMUCLA Mindful9.1Visit Smiling Mind7.6Visit

Higher score UM UCLA Mindful #2 in Meditation Apps 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit UCLA Mindful

vs

Smiling Mind #8 in Meditation Apps 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Smiling Mind

• UCLA Mindful fits best

  A free, practical mindfulness app

• Smiling Mind fits best

  Free mindfulness content for children and families

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Side by side

Feature	UMUCLA Mindful 9.1/10 Visit ↗	Smiling Mind 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	7.6
Ranking	#2 in Meditation Apps	#8 in Meditation Apps
Best for	A free, practical mindfulness app	Free mindfulness content for children and families
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Not published	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Email	Email, Tickets
Built for	Solo	Solo, Small business
Features UCLA Mindful 4/4 · Smiling Mind 0/4
Sleep content	✓ (best)	Not published
Guided programs	✓ (best)	Not published
Offline access	✓ (best)	Not published
Breathing exercises	✓ (best)	Not published
Specs
Mobile platforms	Both	Not published
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	Filter sessions by keyword, need, category or age group. Child-focused meditations, activities and collections support family use. Custom routines, reminders and progress tracking help structure practice.
Cons	Available only on iOS and Android Focused on meditation and mindfulness rather than a broader wellness toolkit Email is the listed support channel	Its focus spans five wellbeing skill areas, not only meditation. Children's content is described for ages 5–12, which may not fit every child. The vendor frames it as prevention, not a treatment tool.
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 →	Smiling Mind is a free mental fitness app for adults and families, with sessions and collections designed for children. Families can search and filter content by keyword, need, category or age group, and the app includes child-focused… Read the review →

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

• Smiling Mind — where it wins

  • Filter sessions by keyword, need, category or age group.
  • Child-focused meditations, activities and collections support family use.
  • Custom routines, reminders and progress tracking help structure practice.

  Where it doesn't

  • Its focus spans five wellbeing skill areas, not only meditation.
  • Children's content is described for ages 5–12, which may not fit every child.
  • The vendor frames it as prevention, not a treatment tool.

• UMUCLA Mindful9.1/10 · Free plan

  A free mobile app for guided meditation, breathing, body scans, and mindful movement.

  Visit UCLA MindfulFull verdict →
• Smiling Mind7.6/10 · Free plan

  A free family wellbeing app with age-filtered sessions, routines and progress tracking.

  Visit Smiling MindFull verdict →