Apps and online care
Mindfulness Coach 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.
Mindfulness Coach
Mindfulness Coach walks you through learning mindfulness, from short readings to guided audio exercises, and helps you set goals and practise regularly.
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
- Mindfulness Coach: Beginners who want a structured, free mindfulness course without ads or subscriptions; Veterans and others with PTSD or stress who want a gentle practice to add to treatment
- Headspace: Beginners who want structured, short guided meditations; People dealing with everyday stress or trouble winding down for sleep
- Probably not for
- Mindfulness Coach: Anyone in crisis: call or text 988 (veterans press 1)
- Headspace: Anyone in crisis or thinking about suicide: call or text 988
- Cost
- Mindfulness Coach: Free
- Headspace: $69.99/year or $12.99/month
- How you pay
- Mindfulness Coach: Free
- Headspace: I'll pay myself
- Where
- Mindfulness Coach: iPhone, Android
- Headspace: iPhone, Android, Web
- Research
- Mindfulness Coach: Some research support
- Headspace: Strong research support
- Privacy
- Mindfulness Coach: Grade A+
- Headspace: Grade C
- Sells your data
- Mindfulness Coach: 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.