Insight Timer is better for users seeking a vast library of meditations, diverse topics, and a strong community focus, especially with its substantial free version. Balance is more suitable for users who prefer personalized meditation programs and a longer free trial period, despite lacking community features.
| Attribute | Insight Timer | Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Meditation Library Size | Over 220,000+ guided meditations, talks, podcasts, and music tracks | Thousands of audio files used to assemble personalized meditations |
| Guided Meditation Variety | Offers a wide variety of meditation topics, including sleep, anxiety, stress reduction, recovery, self-love, focus, relationships, and more. Meditation types include secular mindfulness, Buddhist mindfulness, Zen, insight meditation, Vipassana, and others. | Mindfulness, relaxation, stress relief, sleep, breath focus, body scan, labeling, loving-kindness, visualization, awareness, spotlighting, breath control, innovation, Singles |
| Teacher Expertise | Features over 4,500 mindfulness experts, psychologists, neuroscientists, and teachers from institutions like Stanford, Harvard, and the University of Oxford. | Ofosu Jones-Quartey and Leah Santa Cruz. Leah has a background in neuroscience, and Ofosu has experience coaching people of all ages. |
| Customization Options | Users can customize their meditation timer with various bell sounds, ambient sounds, and interval bells. MemberPlus subscribers can customize their stats display and tracking. | Personalized meditation program based on skill level, meditation frequency, and mastered skills. Tailored sessions based on answers to questions. Selectable voice narrator and adjustable meditation duration. |
| Offline Access | Downloading meditations for offline use is a feature for premium subscribers. They can download audio tracks and courses. | Downloaded meditations and sounds can be accessed offline. As of 2021, there was no offline option, but you could open a meditation and tap 'Begin' to download the material first. |
| Progress Tracking | Provides stats and milestones for tracking progress. Users can track total meditation time, number of days meditated, average duration, and longest streak. | Tracks meditation time and skills practiced. Provides badges for motivation. Allows monitoring of progress, setting reminders, and tracking meditation frequency. |
| Community Features | Has a strong community focus, with thousands of discussion groups and community features. Users can connect, join groups, participate in challenges, and engage in live sessions. | No community space for interacting with other users or live group meditations. Some reviews mention a supportive nature among users on social media. |
| Sleep Aid Content | Offers sleep meditations, stories, music, and sounds to help users fall asleep. It includes sleep music, soundscapes, and bedtime tales. | Sleep meditations, sleep stories, and sleep sounds like white noise. Includes a 'Wind Down' activity with bilateral stimulation and controlled breathing. |
| Breathing Exercises | Includes breathing exercises to focus awareness and promote calm. | Offers breathing exercises to clear the mind, lower stress, and increase focus. Includes animated breathing techniques and guided breathing meditations. |
| Mindfulness Courses | Provides access to mindfulness courses for deeper learning and skill development. A premium membership unlocks access to hundreds of courses. | Meditation courses for beginners, intermediate, and advanced students. Daily meditations are organized into 10-day plans. |
| User Interface and Experience | The app is designed to be user-friendly with a clean and intuitive layout. Users can personalize their experience by following favorite teachers. | Easy-to-use interface, clean, minimalist design with a soothing color scheme, smooth interface with responsive controls |
| Price | Free version available; Premium (Member Plus): $9.99 monthly or $59.99 annually (with a 7-day free trial) | $11.99/month or $69.99/year for auto-renewing subscriptions. Lifetime subscription for $399.99. One-year free trial available. |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |