Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience real numbers from our own analytics — open to see them
–Visitors
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · counted by iTechGuides's own first-party analytics, bots removed, every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Meditation Apps

UCLA Mindful vs Waking Up

  • 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
Waking Up #7 in Meditation Apps 7.7/10 From $129.99/yr ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Waking Up

UCLA Mindful 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 scoreUCLA Mindful · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly UCLA Mindful

UCLA Mindful scores higher on our rubric for meditation apps: 9.1 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

UCLA Mindful offers free plan; Waking Up doesn't.

UCLA Mindful is the better fit for A free, practical mindfulness app. Waking Up is the better fit for A guided course and reflective daily practice.

  • UCLA Mindful fits best

    A free, practical mindfulness app

  • 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 UCLA Mindful 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Waking Up 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 7.7
Ranking #2 in Meditation Apps #7 in Meditation Apps
Best for A free, practical mindfulness app 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 UCLA Mindful 4/4 · Waking Up 4/4
Sleep content ✓ ✓
Guided programs ✓ ✓
Offline access ✓ ✓
Breathing exercises ✓ ✓
Specs
Mobile platforms Both Both
Session length 5–15 min 5–15 min
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
  • 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 only on iOS and Android
  • Focused on meditation and mindfulness rather than a broader wellness toolkit
  • Email is the listed support channel
  • No unrestricted free plan
  • Annual membership costs $129.99
  • Monthly billing costs $19.99 and renews recurrently
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 →

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. UCLA MindfulMeditation Apps 9.1Free plan
  2. Waking UpMeditation Apps 7.7From $129.99/yr

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

  • 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

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