Waking Up review

Waking Up is for people who want to go further than stress relief. Created by Sam Harris, it starts with a 28-day Introductory Course that works for beginners and experienced meditators, then opens a large library of daily meditations, theory sessions, life courses and conversations. Teachers include Joseph Goldstein, Diana Winston, Adyashanti and Henry Shukman, and the practices draw on Vipassana, loving-kindness, yoga nidra, Zen, Dzogchen and Advaita Vedanta. The app explains the reasoning behind each practice, which suits people who want to understand what they are doing. A timer covers silent sitting, and CarPlay plays selected sessions in the car. It is the priciest app here at $19.99 a month or $149.99 a year on the US App Store, though it offers a 7-day trial, a full refund on request and free access for anyone who cannot afford it. Casual users after quick calm or sleep help will find Calm or Headspace simpler.

Who it is for

Regular practitioners who want depth, theory and teachers from several contemplative traditions.

Price

$149.99 per year (about $12.50 per month) or $19.99 monthly on the US App Store; 7-day free trial and full-refund guarantee.

Waking Up Yearly Subscription $149.99 Monthly Subscription $19.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 8, 2026.

Key features

• 28-day Introductory Course for beginners and experienced meditators
• Daily guided meditations with Sam Harris
• Theory sessions, life courses and conversations with teachers
• Techniques from Vipassana, Zen, Dzogchen and Advaita Vedanta
• Meditation timer and CarPlay support

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The deepest teaching on how meditation works
• Strength: Wide range of serious teachers and traditions
• Strength: Free access for people who cannot afford it, on request
• Weakness: The most expensive app in this list
• Weakness: Talks and theory can feel heavy for casual users
• Weakness: Little sleep and music content compared with Calm

Key facts

• US price: $19.99 a month or $149.99 a year
• Family plan: Family Yearly listed at $229.99
• Free trial: 7 days
• Refund: Full refund on request under its satisfaction guarantee
• Scholarships: Free for anyone who cannot afford it

Where it ranks

Waking Up is No. 8 in our Best Meditation Apps verdict.