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Head-to-head · Meditation Apps

Waking Up vs Smiling Mind

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Waking Up #7 in Meditation Apps 7.7/10 From $129.99/yr ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Waking Up
Smiling Mind #8 in Meditation Apps 7.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Smiling Mind

Waking Up leads on 4 checks, Smiling Mind on 1, and 0 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 scoreWaking Up · 7.7/10
  • Free planonly Smiling Mind
  • Most featuresWaking Up · 4 of 4

Waking Up scores higher on our rubric for meditation apps: 7.7 against 7.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

Smiling Mind offers free plan; Waking Up doesn't. Waking Up offers sleep content; Smiling Mind doesn't publish it. Waking Up offers guided programs; Smiling Mind doesn't publish it. Waking Up offers offline access; Smiling Mind doesn't publish it. Waking Up offers breathing exercises; Smiling Mind doesn't publish it.

Waking Up is the better fit for A guided course and reflective daily practice. Smiling Mind is the better fit for free mindfulness content for children and families.

  • Waking Up fits best

    A guided course and reflective daily practice

  • Smiling Mind fits best

    Free mindfulness content for children and families

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

Side by side

Feature Waking Up 7.7/10 Visit ↗ Smiling Mind 7.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.7 7.6
Ranking #7 in Meditation Apps #8 in Meditation Apps
Best for A guided course and reflective daily practice Free mindfulness content for children and families
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $129.99/yr Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Email, Tickets
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Waking Up 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
  • A month-long introductory course alongside daily guided sessions
  • Breathing, body scans, sleep meditations and contemplative content
  • Download sessions and playlists for offline listening
  • 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
  • No unrestricted free plan
  • Annual membership costs $129.99
  • Monthly billing costs $19.99 and renews recurrently
  • 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

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 →

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 →
  1. Waking UpMeditation Apps 7.7From $129.99/yr
  2. Smiling MindMeditation Apps 7.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • 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.

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