Insight Timer review
A vast free library of guided meditations and talks
- Insight Network Inc.
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
Does it deserve #2?
The verdict
Insight Timer is the best free meditation app by a wide margin. Its library holds a huge range of guided meditations, sleep tracks and talks from teachers around the world, and a customizable timer with bells serves people who sit in silence. The variety is also the weakness: quality is uneven and you have to find your own path. Member Plus adds courses and offline listening.
- Huge free meditation library
- Customizable meditation timer
- Live events and talks
- Sleep and music tracks
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Most of the library is free
- Customizable timer with interval bells
- Wide variety of teachers, traditions and lengths
What could be better
- Quality varies a lot between teachers
- Busy interface with frequent upsells
Meditators who want endless free variety and a good silent timer
you want one consistent teacher and a clear step-by-step path
Questions about Insight Timer
Is Insight Timer free?
Yes. Most guided meditations, music and talks are free. Member Plus is optional and adds courses, offline listening and extra player features.
Can I use Insight Timer just as a meditation timer?
Yes. The timer lets you set interval bells, ambient sounds and session length, and it logs your sits without any guided audio.
What are the best alternatives to Insight Timer?
The closest alternatives are Waking Up, Headspace and Calm. See all of them ranked on our Insight Timer alternatives page.
Where does Insight Timer rank?
Insight Timer ranks #2 of 9 in our Mind & Focus ranking, with an overall score of 8.8 out of 10.