Skip to content
Apps and online care

How We Feel vs Headspace

They differ on 8 of 10 things we check. No winner here: the better one is the one that fits what you need and how you'd pay.

How We Feel

You check in by choosing the word that fits how you feel, add a note if you like, and the app suggests short strategies and shows patterns over time.

Headspace

You pick short guided meditations, courses on stress, anxiety or sleep, sleepcasts and focus music, and do a few minutes a day on your phone.

Where they differ

Good for
How We Feel: People who want to get better at noticing and naming their emotions; Anyone who wants a free mood journal with no ads or subscription
Headspace: Beginners who want structured, short guided meditations; People dealing with everyday stress or trouble winding down for sleep
Probably not for
How We Feel: Anyone in crisis: call or text 988
Headspace: Anyone in crisis or thinking about suicide: call or text 988
Cost
How We Feel: Free
Headspace: $69.99/year or $12.99/month
How you pay
How We Feel: Free
Headspace: I'll pay myself
Where
How We Feel: iPhone, Android
Headspace: iPhone, Android, Web
Research
How We Feel: Early research
Headspace: Strong research support
Privacy
How We Feel: Grade A+
Headspace: Grade C
Sells your data
How We Feel: No
Headspace: Yes

The same for both: kind of help (an app i use on my own), hipaa (no).

In crisis or thinking about suicide? In the US, call or text 988. This page is information from our reviews, not medical advice.