# Alternatives to Healthy Minds Free neuroscience-based training. Healthy Minds ranks #7 of 7 in Meditation apps, with an Alt Score of 50. It is donationware from Free and available on iOS, Android and macOS. 7 of 9 checklist rows are verified against a public source. Source: https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/healthy-minds/ Category: Meditation apps ## Where Healthy Minds stands out - **Free tier depth** — 3 of 7 apps with a verified answer have this ## Overview - **Who it's for**: Anyone looking for a free, science-based way to build well-being skills, including people managing everyday stress, anxiety, or low mood. - **What you get**: Hundreds of days of guided audio meditations and short lessons organized around four pillars: Awareness, Connection, Insight, and Purpose. Content ranges from foundational meditation practices to modules on relationships, habits, and finding meaning. Progress tracking and podcast-style teachings from researchers accompany the practices. - **How it works**: Users pick a track or pillar and work through short daily audio sessions pairing a brief lesson with a guided meditation, building a sequential practice over time on iOS or Android. ## Profile - **License**: ? - **Pricing model**: Donationware (verified 2026-07-09) - **Starts at**: Free (verified 2026-07-09) - **Platforms**: iOS, Android, macOS - **Status**: active (verified 2026-07-09) ## Ranked alternatives | # | App | Alt Score | Licence | Platforms | |---|-----|-----------|---------|-----------| | 1 | [Insight Timer](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/insight-timer.md) | 90 | ? | iOS, Android, Web | | 2 | [Calm](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/calm.md) | 85 | Proprietary | iOS, Android | | 3 | [Headspace](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/headspace.md) | 75 | Proprietary | iOS, Android, Web | | 4 | [Medito](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/medito.md) | 75 | AGPL-3.0 | iOS, Android | | 5 | [Waking Up](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/waking-up.md) | 75 | Proprietary | iOS, Android | | 6 | [Balance](https://altcatalog.com/alternatives/balance.md) | 70 | Proprietary | iOS | Alt Score = Verified coverage (90%) + Visibility (10%). See https://altcatalog.com/how-alt-score-works/ ## Feature comparison Legend: Yes / No / Partial / ? (not verified). | Meditation apps checklist | Healthy Minds | Insight Timer | Calm | Headspace | Medito | Waking Up | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Pricing model | Donationware | Freemium | Freemium | Freemium | Donationware | Freemium | | Starts at | Free | Free | $14.99/month | $12.99/month | Free | $19.99/mo | | License | ? | ? | Proprietary | Proprietary | AGPL-3.0 | Proprietary | | Platforms | iOS, Android, macOS | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | | Guided session library | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Sleep content | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Courses & programs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Offline downloads | ? | Yes | ? | Partial | Yes | ? | | Free tier depth | Yes | Yes | Partial | Partial | Yes | Partial | | Background sounds | ? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Wearable integration | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | ? | Yes | | One-time purchase option | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | | Teacher variety | Yes | Yes | Yes | Partial | Partial | Yes | ## Sources Sources for Healthy Minds. Each alternative is sourced on its own page. - **Pricing model**: Donationware — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Driven by Mission and Supported by Donation … Unlike other apps that require a subscription, the Healthy Minds Program is available by donation” - **Starts at**: Free — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “formattedPrice: Free (price: 0.0)” - **Platforms**: iOS, Android, macOS — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: Android via Play (com.healthyminds). - Quote: “iPhone (iOS 13.4+), iPad (iPadOS 13.4+), Mac (macOS 11.0+ with M1 chip or later)” - **Status**: active — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “currentVersionReleaseDate: 2026-06-04T23:06:05Z” - **Guided session library**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “the Healthy Minds Program is a holistic, all-encompassing meditation app that offers the best of both guided meditations and opportunities to learn” - **Sleep content**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: No sleep-specific content category anywhere in the app or listings. - Quote: “Four Core Pillars: Awareness, Connection, Insight, and Purpose” - **Courses & programs**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Transform Your Phone Habits, Flourishing Course … Four Core Pillars: Awareness, Connection, Insight, and Purpose … up to 600 days of FREE practice” - **Free tier depth**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “up to 600 days of FREE practice … Unlike other apps that require a subscription, the Healthy Minds Program is available by donation” - **Wearable integration**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: Apple Health integration only; no watchOS app. - Quote: “Our app also integrates with Apple Health to track your mindful minutes” - **One-time purchase option**: No — (verified 2026-07-09) - Note: Donation model; no purchase option. - Quote: “Unlike other apps that require a subscription, the Healthy Minds Program is available by donation … made possible by our donors” - **Teacher variety**: Yes — (verified 2026-07-09) - Quote: “Richard J. Davidson … Cortland Dahl … Stephanie Wagner, NBC-HWC … Ronné Wingate Sims … Jay Vidyarthi … Daniela Labra Cardero” --- Ranked by verified data, never by who paid. https://altcatalog.com/trust/