Waking Up review
Meditation and philosophy courses from Sam Harris and guests
- Waking Up Course LLC
- Subscription
- iPhone & iPad, Android
Does it deserve #1?
The verdict
Waking Up treats meditation as a skill to understand, not just a way to relax. Sam Harris's introductory course is the clearest guide to mindfulness in any app, and lessons and talks from other teachers go deep. There are no ads or gamified streaks. It is less suited to quick stress relief or sleep, and it is a subscription, though the company offers free access to anyone who can't afford it.
- Guided introductory course
- Daily guided meditations
- Lessons on theory and practice
- Talks from many teachers
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What we like
- Teaches the why of meditation, not just the how
- Calm, ad-free app without gamified pressure
- Free access for anyone who can't afford it
What could be better
- Less focused on sleep and quick stress relief
- Intellectual tone won't suit everyone
Curious meditators who want to understand the mind, not just unwind
you mainly want sleep sounds or short calming sessions
Questions about Waking Up
Is Waking Up free?
Waking Up is a subscription app with a free trial. If you can't afford it, the company offers free access on request.
Is Waking Up good for beginners?
Yes. The introductory course starts from scratch with short daily sessions and explains each idea before building on it.
What are the best alternatives to Waking Up?
The closest alternatives are Headspace, Insight Timer and Calm. See all of them ranked on our Waking Up alternatives page.
Where does Waking Up rank?
Waking Up ranks #1 of 9 in our Mind & Focus ranking, with an overall score of 9.0 out of 10.