Waking Up
Sam Harris's meditation app mixing guided practice with lessons on philosophy and the mind.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · iOS, Android
Is Waking Up free?
No, it's a paid product
- Free trial:
- 7 days
Checked on Waking Up's site Nov 6, 2026
3 alternatives with a free optionSwitch from Waking Up to
All 3
HeadspaceFamily plan: $99.99 a year for up to 6 people
CalmYearly price (web): $79.99/yr after a 7-day free trial
Insight TimerStarting price: $9.99 a month (MemberPlus)
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 3
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Waking Up
Waking Up is a meditation app created by neuroscientist and author Sam Harris in 2018. It takes a secular, theory-heavy approach: the Introductory Course pairs daily guided sessions with short lessons explaining what the practice is for, and the wider library includes conversations, talks and courses from more than 100 teachers drawing on Vipassana, Zen, Dzogchen, Advaita and Stoicism. There is a fresh daily meditation, an unguided timer, sleep sessions, playlists and archival recordings from teachers such as Alan Watts. The emphasis is on insight into the nature of the mind rather than stress relief alone, so it suits curious, analytical people more than those who want short calming tracks. It runs on iPhone and Android and is sold as an annual subscription after a free trial, with a money-back guarantee and a free scholarship membership for anyone who can't afford it. There is no permanent free tier with limited content.
Best for: Analytical, secular-minded people who want to understand meditation, not just relax.
Waking Up pricing (checked Nov 6, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Waking Up's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free trial | 7 days | Nov 6, 2026 | wakingup.com |
| Pricing | Annual subscription | Nov 6, 2026 | wakingup.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Deep library of lessons and conversations, not just guided tracks
- Secular approach with no belief system required
- Free scholarship membership if cost is a barrier
Why people leave
- Annual subscription only, with no limited free tier
- Less sleep and relaxation content than Calm
- Philosophical focus may feel heavy for beginners after quick stress relief
Waking Up vs Headspace, Calm and Insight Timer
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Waking Up | Headspace | Calm | Insight Timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Paid | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Verified price | — | $99.99 a year for up to 6 people | $79.99/yr after a 7-day free trial | $9.99 a month (MemberPlus) |
| Free plan | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web |
Top Waking Up alternatives
See all 3- 1Headspace68.8
Simpler, friendlier courses for beginners who want a gentle structured path.
- 2Calm64.8
Much more sleep and relaxation content, including Sleep Stories and music.
- 3Insight Timer61.8
Mostly free, with a huge library from thousands of teachers across traditions.
Why people left Waking Up
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Waking Up, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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Waking Up: common questions
What is Waking Up?
Waking Up: Sam Harris's meditation app mixing guided practice with lessons on philosophy and the mind. Best for analytical, secular-minded people who want to understand meditation, not just relax. Available for iOS and Android.
Is Waking Up free?
No, Waking Up is a paid product.
How much does Waking Up cost?
Waking Up is a paid product. Free trial: 7 days; Pricing: Annual subscription. Checked on Waking Up's own site, November 2026.
Does Waking Up have a free trial or refund?
Free trial: 7 days. Source: Waking Up's own site.
Is Waking Up open source?
No, Waking Up is not open source.
What platforms does Waking Up run on?
Waking Up is available for iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Waking Up?
The highest-ranked Waking Up alternatives right now are Headspace, Calm and Insight Timer. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Waking Up vs Headspace: what's the difference?
Waking Up is a paid product; Headspace is free with paid plans. Only Headspace runs on Web.