14 Apps For Meditation, Mindfulness & Mental Health

Looking to add some mindfulness to your day? Try our favourite meditation apps to kickstart your mental health journey.

Hong Kong stress can get to us even on the best of days – the fast pace, crowds, and pressure really take a toll. If you’ve found yourself looking for ways to build and maintain habits that support your mental health, a meditation app could be the perfect new tool. While we’re often told to unplug and disconnect, these apps make the exceptions list.

We’ve rounded up 12 of the best apps not just for meditation but also for mindfulness and overall mental health. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned meditator, looking to sleep better, overcome negative thinking, or simply feel happier, these apps can help you find more peace and tranquility in everyday life. They offer something for everyone, from complete beginners to experienced meditators seeking to boost their mental well-being.

Read More: Alternative Therapy In Hong Kong – Reiki Energy Healing, Acupuncture, Hypnotherapy & More

stoic.

Best for: Emotion regulators

Learn how to cope with stress through the philosophy of stoicism, which focuses on being less emotionally reactive. Complete with a mood tracker, gratitude journal, guided meditations, inspiring quotes and prompts for reflection, stoic will help you analyse your emotional triggers, gain insight on how to build mental resilience, and work towards a more peaceful and balanced life.

Cost: Basic version is free; premium version is $288 per year

Head here to download on iOS

Stoic, www.stoicroutine.com

Healthy Minds Program

Best for: Meditation beginners

This free app delivers the benefits of mindfulness training, powered by the latest neuroscience and guided by world-renowned experts. Whether you prefer to zone out with seated sessions or get your body moving through active meditations, the Healthy Minds Program has you covered with a diverse range of practices tailored to your personal needs. And by supplementing the meditations with podcast-style lessons, the app provides an educational experience that demystifies the science behind mental well-being.

Cost: Free

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Healthy Minds Program, hminnovations.org

Read More: Therapists & Psychologists In Hong Kong For Counselling

I am – Daily Affirmations

Best for: Self-doubters

Do negative thoughts seem to constantly swirl around in your mind? Daily affirmations can help rewire our brains, change negative thought patterns and build self esteem. Not convinced? It wouldn’t hurt to try! This app allows you to choose from a range of daily intentions – from gratitude and personal growth to specific affirmations for couples – and set reminders to be delivered to you throughout the day.

Cost: Basic version is free; premium version is $158 per year

Head here to download on iOS and Android

I am – Daily Affirmations, theiam.app

Calm

Best for: Night owls

Crowned the “world’s happiest app”, the award-winning Calm aims to make the world a happier and healthier place. It offers a vast variety of guided and unguided meditations but what we really love is Calm’s commitment to helping us catch better zzz’s. Choose between sleep casts, nature sounds and ASMR content, or settle down to one of the many bedtime stories. There’s even one read to you by Matthew McConaughey – sweet dreams indeed!

Cost: Basic version is free; premium version is free for one week, then $548 per year

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Calm, www.calm.com

Read More: Meditation In Hong Kong – Mindfulness Centres, Retreats & More

Tide – Meditation & Sleep

Best for: Nature lovers

Inspired by nature and travel, Tide provides an extensive library of natural soundscapes and a series of relaxing breathing and meditation guides that aim to bring a moment of calm into your busy day. Suitable for anyone who struggles to focus in the day or fall asleep at night, the app features a focus timer, Sleep and Nap mode that allows for undisturbed rest, and gentle wake-up alarms.

Cost: Basic version is free; premium version is $20 per month

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Tide – Meditation & Sleep, tide.fm

Ten Percent Happier Meditation

Best for: Meditation skeptics

Once named “Least Annoying Meditation App”, here’s an option that will help you sleep better, find relaxation, and become 10% happier. Based on the book by the same name, 10% Happier is perfect for skeptics unsure about the life-changing benefits of meditation. Browse the library of over 500 guided sessions on topics ranging from anxiety, stress and sleep.

Cost: Basic version is free; premium version is $778 per year

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Ten Percent Happier Meditation, www.tenpercent.com

Read More: 7 Myths & Common Misconceptions About Mental Health

Headspace

Best for: Mindfulness newcomers

With its own Netflix show, Headspace is one of the most well-known meditation apps out there. Between its soothing guided meditations, adorable animations, and user-friendly interface, it’s a great option if you’re just starting your meditation journey. Headspace offers hundreds of guided sessions as well as short explanatory videos addressing everything from loneliness and mental fitness to a lack of motivation, insomnia, and even a fear of flying. The free version includes a guided 10-day beginners course, and you can get a great feel for the app on its YouTube account.

Cost: Basic version is free; premium version is $98 per month

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Headspace, www.headspace.com

Moodfit: Mental Health Fitness

Best for: Mood trackers

The makers of Moodfit believe there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to mental well-being, which is why they’ve developed an app that offers easily customisable tools and trackers. Ever wonder how work calls, walking the dog or meeting new people impacts your mood? Are you taking medication or going to therapy and want to track the effects? Run your own experiments by tracking custom variables and record what works best for you. In addition, you’ll find gratitude practices, sleep exercises and breathing techniques, as well as weekly reviews to help you recognise trends.

Cost: Basic version is free; premium version is $78 per month

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Moodfit: Mental Health Fitness, www.getmoodfit.com

Read More: 8 Habits To Improve Your Mental Health

Mindshine: Mental Health Coach

Best for: (Mental) Fitness fanatics

Mindshine promises short-term hacks for long-term, positive mindset changes. Commit to one of the month-long training plans to truly master your mental fitness. Whether your goal is to become more resilient, boost your confidence, spark your creativity or even become a better athlete, Mindshine’s science-based programmes take just 10 minutes every day and feature fun, simple science-based exercises that encourage deeper self-reflection.

Cost: Free; premium version is $508 per year

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Mindshine, www.mindshine.app

Aura: Meditation & Sleep

Best for: On-the-go meditators

Created by meditation teachers and therapists, Aura offers individualised content thanks to its clever AI-algorithm. The app begins by asking you how you’re feeling, and will suggest personalised content based on your response. Meditations are just three, seven or 10-minutes long, which means you can find  little inner peace and harmony anytime, anywhere. With its incredible range of nature and sleep soundscapes, this app is best enjoyed with a good set of headphones!

Cost: Basic version is free; premium version is $538 per year

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Aura, www.aurahealth.io

Read More: What To Expect From A Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme

Simple Habit: Sleep, Meditation

Best for: Busy bees

Simple Habit is designed for busy schedules, offering tranquility in as little as five minutes. But short doesn’t always mean generalised: to get an idea of the sheer variety of meditation topics available on Simple Habit, just browse the website. Whether you’re going through a breakup, have a big event coming up or are looking to approach sex with a more mindful attitude, there’s a tailored five-minute meditation for it.

Cost: Free for a month; premium version is free for one week, then $748 per year

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Simple Habit: Sleep, Meditation, www.simplehabit.com

Happify: for Stress & Worry

Best for: Data-driven people

Happify is a science-backed fast-track to boosting your mood. Aiming to improve overall well-being and happiness, the makers of this app use innovative technology and science to empower us to lead happier and more fulfilling lives. Wondering how that works? From engaging games and activity suggestions to gratitude prompts and more, Happify encourages you to train your brain just like you would train any other muscle in your body.

Cost: Free; premium version is $118

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Happify, www.happify.com

Read More: We Weren’t Reaching Our Health Goals – The Real Reason Was Surprising!

Smiling Mind

Best for: Young adults

Finding an app that blends guidance with a lighthearted approach is key to mastering mindfulness. Luckily, that’s exactly what you’ll get with Smiling Mind. Developed by leading Aussie psychologists and educators, this free app is the perfect gateway to meditation for young adults looking to take control of their mental health. The app is full of immersive programmes, allowing you to customise your practice based on your needs and mood – whether you’re after a sleep ritual or focused commute workout. With just 10 minutes a day, you can start reaping the proven benefits of mindfulness – we’re talking improved focus and higher emotional resilience.

Cost: Free

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Smiling Mind, www.smilingmind.com.au

Insight Timer – Meditate, Sleep

Best for: Community seekers

While many meditation apps focus on personal self-discovery, Insight Timer takes a community-driven approach to unlocking mindfulness. At this platform’s core are 150,000 free meditations to explore, led by world-famous experts. But beyond the huge content library, what really sets Insight Timer apart is the interactive community. Users can connect with like-minded peers in group chats, sharing insights and support on everything from managing stress to cultivating self-love.

Cost: Free; premium version is $468 per year

Head here to download on iOS and Android

Insight Timer – Meditate, Sleep, insighttimer.com

Read More: The Best Yoga Studios & Classes In Hong Kong

Editor’s Note: “14 Apps For Meditation, Mindfulness & Mental Health” was most recently updated in May 2024 by Catherine Pun. With thanks to Melissa Albarus for her contribution.