Calm
Free content
A selection of sleep stories, music and other content is free; Premium unlocks the full catalogue.
Supporting sources:
Source checked . Availability can change.
Price and access · 5-app comparison
Free plan availability: Calm vs Headspace vs Insight Timer vs Smiling Mind vs Waking Up
Access to an ongoing free tier or free content, separate from a temporary trial.
Your comparison
5 of 5 apps Calm 
Headspace 
Insight Timer 
Smiling Mind 
Waking Up Compare by topic
Compare custom self-hypnosis creation and editing controls; existing recordings and clinical hypnotherapy are different offerings. Choosing a self-hypnosis app
Compare guided reflection, journaling and personalization tools for exploring how you see yourself. Self-concept journal prompts
Compare creating affirmation audio, cloning your voice, recording narration and replay controls. Own-voice app guide
Compare creating and revising original guided meditations, including scripts, voices, pauses and generation allowances. Create a custom meditation
Compare creating and editing personal tapping audio, rather than access to a library of recorded sessions. Choosing an EFT tapping app
Compare creating guided rehearsal audio around your goals, context and preferred pacing. What is mental rehearsal?
Compare custom yoga guidance, practice preferences and playback. See the guide for instructor-led class libraries. Choosing a yoga app
| Features1 selected | Calm Calm Premium | Headspace Headspace individual | Insight Timer MemberPlus | Smiling Mind Free | Waking Up Waking Up membership |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan |
Free plan availability: details
Headspace
Free public samples
Public Headspace pages provide sample audio and exercises without a subscription. Full in-app access is subscription/trial based; this is not a full ongoing free app tier.
Supporting sources:
Source checked . Availability can change.
Insight Timer
Free library
Free tracks are available without a subscription; MemberPlus adds premium content and functions.
Supporting sources:
Source checked . Availability can change.
Smiling Mind
Yes · free app
The app is free for individual and family use.
Supporting sources:
Source checked . Availability can change.
Waking Up
Scholarships by request
Financial assistance is available when membership is unaffordable; this is not an unrestricted free tier.
Supporting sources:
Source checked . Availability can change.
Sources and plan details
Sources for 1 features across Calm, Headspace, Insight Timer, Smiling Mind, Waking Up. Annual prices show the full yearly charge in USD. “Limited” includes conditions. “No listed support” means the feature was not found in the reviewed official documentation.
Calm 1 researched
- Free plan: Free content
-
A selection of sleep stories, music and other content is free; Premium unlocks the full catalogue.
Checked . Sources: [1]
Calm sources
- Calm Premium and free features · Checked 2026-10-09
Headspace 1 researched
- Free plan: Free public samples
-
Public Headspace pages provide sample audio and exercises without a subscription. Full in-app access is subscription/trial based; this is not a full ongoing free app tier.
Checked . Sources: [1]
Headspace sources
- Headspace public sleep samples and plans · Checked 2026-10-09
Insight Timer 1 researched
Insight Timer sources
- Insight Timer teacher audio and image uploads · Checked 2026-10-09
- Insight Timer MemberPlus features · Checked 2026-10-09
Smiling Mind 1 researched
- Free plan: Yes · free app
-
The app is free for individual and family use.
Checked . Sources: [1]
Smiling Mind sources
- Smiling Mind free consumer app · Checked 2026-10-09
Waking Up 1 researched
- Free plan: Scholarships by request
-
Financial assistance is available when membership is unaffordable; this is not an unrestricted free tier.
Checked . Sources: [1]
Waking Up sources
- Waking Up scholarships · Checked 2026-10-09