The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The app Becca Caddy singled out in her 2023 iMore review is Waking Up, a meditation service built around guided practice plus lessons and conversations. Calling it “the best” reflects her personal experience, not a proven ranking of every meditation app. It may suit people who want more than a timer or ambient sound—and who prefer a secular approach—but its style will not be right for everyone.
Why Waking Up stood out to the reviewer
Caddy described Waking Up’s daily guided meditations as about 10 minutes long, clear, grounded, and secular. She recommended it for readers trying to build a regular practice, especially those who struggle to connect with guided imagery or find background sounds distracting. Those are her impressions, not evidence that the app works better for everyone.
Waking Up’s central distinction is that it pairs meditation sessions with explanatory material. Its official site describes guided practices, lessons, conversations, sleep content, and a 30-day introductory course. The company says its approach requires no beliefs or spiritual commitments; that is the service’s own description, rather than an independent assessment.
What the app includes
- Guided practice: Daily sessions and a range of meditations, including material for sleep and practicing in nature, as described in Caddy’s review.
- Lessons and conversations: The current service description includes lessons about meditation and conversations, including discussions featuring Sam Harris and Jack Kornfield.
- A structured starting point: Waking Up presents its 30-day introductory course as an entry for beginners, while also offering more advanced lessons and practices.
- Additional playback options: The US App Store listing includes a meditation timer, daily content, a community, and CarPlay playback for selected content.
The breadth may appeal if you want context alongside audio instruction. If you only need a timer, prefer a different teaching voice, or want a particular style of guided imagery, these strengths may not be decisive.
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Price, free trial, and access
The amounts in Caddy’s 13 November 2023 article are historical, not current prices: she listed $119.99 per year or $19.99 per month in the US, and £119.99 per year or £19.99 per month in the UK. The US App Store listing reviewed on 4 October 2026 shows a $149.99 yearly option and a $19.99 monthly option. These are US storefront prices; amounts and available plans can vary by country and subscription route.
The official website currently offers a seven-day free trial. Waking Up also says people who cannot afford a subscription can request a free membership. Check the current terms and available options through the official Waking Up website before subscribing.
Compatibility and subscription details to check
According to the US App Store listing reviewed on 4 October 2026, the app requires iOS 16 or later on iPhone, iPadOS 16 or later on iPad, visionOS 1 or later on Apple Vision, and watchOS 6 or later on Apple Watch. The listing gives English as its language and notes CarPlay playback for selected content. Store availability and requirements can change, so confirm them in your local storefront before relying on a feature or installing the app.
Cancellation depends on how you subscribed. Waking Up says subscribers can cancel in account settings and retain access until the paid billing period ends; it directs dissatisfied subscribers to contact support to request a refund. For an App Store subscription, Apple says renewal continues unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the current period ends. Use the account or store where you actually started the subscription, and review its current cancellation and refund terms.
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- Consider it if you want guided sessions alongside lessons and conversations, and the app’s secular framing appeals to you.
- Try it before committing if the instructor’s delivery, audio style, session format, or breadth of content will determine whether you stick with it.
- Look elsewhere if your priority is a free-standing timer, a specific teaching approach not represented in its catalogue, or a platform or language that the listing does not support.
The practical question is not whether Waking Up is universally the best meditation app; the available evidence does not establish that. It is whether its combination of guided practice and explanation matches the way you want to meditate. A trial can help you judge that fit before you pay.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
