Both Headspace and Ten Percent Happier are effective meditation apps with content suitable for beginners and experienced users. Headspace stands out with its flexible subscription options, visual appeal, and beginner-friendly approach. Ten Percent Happier offers a variety of experienced teachers and integrates with Apple Health. The choice depends on individual preferences regarding subscription flexibility, teaching styles, and desired customization options.
| Attribute | Headspace v3.0 | Ten Percent Happier Meditation |
|---|---|---|
| Guided meditation styles offered | Offers both guided and unguided meditations. Combines elements of insight (vipassana) and calming (samatha) meditations. Techniques include breath meditations, mantra meditations, visualization, body scans, and loving-kindness meditation. | Mindfulness, body scan, open awareness, loving-kindness, and walking meditations. Both guided and unguided options. |
| Meditation session length options | Sessions range from 5 to 20 minutes. Many sessions have adjustable lengths. | Sessions range from 1 minute to 90 minutes. Some courses offer sessions between 5 to 25 minutes. |
| Beginner-friendly content availability | User-friendly and non-intimidating, suitable for beginners. Offers a 'Basics' course that teaches the essentials of meditation. Courses gradually build upon previous sections. | Largely geared towards beginners, skeptics, or those needing a refresher. Offers a 'Basics' course with short sessions to build a mindfulness foundation. |
| Expert-level content availability | Offers more advanced courses for those who want to deepen their meditation practice. Pro-level content is available for seasoned meditators. | Provides content for experienced meditators with various teachers bringing new perspectives. |
| Specific meditation topics (e.g., sleep, anxiety, focus) | Offers meditations for stress, anxiety, sleep, focus, and managing feelings and thoughts. Also has programs for specific situations like travel or high-pressure situations. | Covers topics like sleep, anxiety, stress, focus, relationships, and difficult emotions. |
| Teacher/instructor variety and expertise | Most meditations are guided by Andy Puddicombe, a former Buddhist monk. Headspace also has other meditation and mindfulness teachers. | Features experienced teachers, including Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg and others. Over 500 guided sessions led by expert teachers. |
| Offline content availability | Allows you to download sessions for offline use on iOS and Android devices. Sleepcasts and some other content may not be downloadable. | Offline downloads are available for single meditations, sleep meditations, and talks. |
| Progress tracking and statistics | Includes a stats feature to track meditation progress and create goals. | Tracks meditation history, streaks, mindful minutes, and milestones. |
| Integration with other apps (e.g., health trackers) | Integration with Viva Insights in Microsoft Teams was discontinued in July 2024. | Integrates with Apple Health to track meditation time alongside other health metrics. |
| Customization options (e.g., ambient sounds, reminders) | Allows users to adjust the volume and types of images. Some sessions offer adjustable lengths. | Users can adjust session lengths and set reminders. Lacks soundscapes or ambient music options. Shifting to a more personalized approach using meditation plans tailored to individual needs and goals. |
| Subscription cost and trial period | Monthly: $12.99 (with a 7-day free trial), Annually: $69.99 (with a 14-day free trial), Family Plan: $19.99/month or $99.99/year for up to six family members, Student Plan: $9.99/year | Annual subscription is $99.99, with a 7-day free trial. No monthly subscription option. |
| User interface and ease of navigation | Known for its intuitive navigation and user-friendly interface. The menu structure is centered around user needs. The app uses visual imagery, animations, and interactive elements to make meditation accessible. | User-friendly interface and a clean design. |