Compare Insight Timer and Simple Habit: Which App is the Best?
Insight Timer offers the largest free meditation library available, with over 100,000 guided sessions from expert teachers. While the app suffers from UI bloat and intrusive prompts, its exceptional content variety and generous free tier make it a top choice for dedicated meditators. | Simple Habit is an award-winning meditation app with 4.6 stars on Android and 4.8 stars on iOS. While the 5-minute meditation format works well for many users, recent technical issues and limited Android updates have affected the experience for some. | |
| Key Features A summary of the most important features offered by each app. |
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| Our Rating Prod Apps's expert review score for each app, based on hands-on testing and research. | 7.9 Winner in this category | 6.3 |
| Total users Total active users across all major browsers: Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari. | 0 | 0 |
| Total ratings Total number of user ratings received across all supported browsers. | 0 | 0 |
| Average rating Average user rating across all browsers, calculated from available store ratings. | — ⭐ | — ⭐ |
| Entry Level Price The minimum price required to start using the app. "Free" means a free tier is available. | Free | Free |
| Android User rating and stats for the app on Android browser. |  Downloads | Downloads |
| iOS User rating and stats for the app on iOS browser. |  | |
| Features Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Features' aspect of each app. | 9.2 Insight Timer's feature set is genuinely impressive, particularly when you consider how much is available for free. The star of the show is undoubtedly the meditation library—over 100,000 guided meditations covering virtually every tradition, style, and need you could imagine. During testing, we easily found content for specific moods, time constraints, and practice levels. Key features that stood out include:
The meditation timer deserves special mention—it's one of the most flexible we've tested, with options for interval bells, ambient background sounds, and complete customization. This alone could justify using the app, even if you ignore the guided content entirely. However, we encountered some frustrations. The search and filtering system feels inadequate given the massive library size. Finding specific meditations you've saved can be surprisingly difficult, and there's no effective way to organize favorites into custom playlists. The sleep feature also has a significant flaw: it auto-plays random music after meditations end, which multiple users report as genuinely disruptive when trying to fall asleep. Despite these issues, the sheer breadth of content is remarkable. We rate features at 9.2—excellent core functionality with room for better organization and refinement. Winner in this category | 7.0 Simple Habit's core concept—5-minute meditations for busy people—addresses a genuine need. Expert-led content from Google mindfulness experts and former monks provides quality guidance. The "On-the-Go" feature for quick anxiety relief works well for the target audience. Features that work well:
Some users experience technical issues—meditations not loading, playback stopping mid-session, or content becoming inaccessible. The app was recently rewritten, which removed some features like favorites that users relied on. The free version is quite limited, with most content requiring subscription. The Android version has limited development plans according to developers, who suggest using the web version for the best experience. This means new features and improvements may not come to the Android app. We're rating features 7.0 out of 10. The 5-minute format and expert content work well for many users, but technical inconsistencies and limited free content hold it back. |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Performance on Insight Timer is generally solid with some notable exceptions that affected our experience and appear frequently in user reviews. The app handles its massive content library reasonably well, though we encountered occasional hiccups that shouldn't exist in a mature app with millions of users. Performance strengths:
Performance issues:
During our testing period, we experienced one instance where a meditation stopped unexpectedly, and the app wouldn't let us rewind without a premium subscription—frustrating when you've just been kicked out of a focused state. This exact scenario appeared in multiple user reviews. The most significant performance concern relates to app bloat. The Android version's recent rating decline from 4.7 to 3.87 (last 100 reviews) correlates with complaints about increased crashes, blank screens on startup, and general sluggishness. Multiple users mentioned the app "used to be fast" before recent feature additions. Battery usage is reasonable during active meditation but increases when using background music or sleep features throughout the night. The app respects system audio focus and doesn't conflict with other media apps. We rate performance at 7.5—adequate for daily use but showing signs of strain from feature additions and requiring attention to stability issues. Winner in this category | 6.0 Performance varies significantly between platforms and users. The 4.6 Android and 4.8 iOS ratings indicate many users experience smooth performance. However, recent reviews at 3.35 stars show some users are experiencing problems. Performance strengths:
Performance issues some users experience:
The developer recommendation to use the web version for best performance suggests they're aware Android optimization isn't their current focus. This creates uncertainty about whether reported issues will be addressed. We're rating performance 6.0 out of 10. Works reliably for many users (especially on iOS), but enough Android users experience issues that platform-specific problems are a real concern. |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 6.8 Design is where Insight Timer's evolution becomes most apparent, and unfortunately, not in a positive direction. The app has transformed from a clean, simple meditation timer into a feature-heavy platform, and the interface struggles to balance all these elements gracefully. What works well:
What needs improvement:
The design challenges stem from feature creep rather than poor aesthetic choices. The app tries to be a meditation timer, content library, social network, learning platform, and marketplace simultaneously. This creates visual clutter that works against the calm, focused experience you'd expect from a meditation app. Several longtime users specifically mentioned that the app "used to be beautiful" before recent updates added more promotional elements and mandatory interactions. We experienced this firsthand—opening the app often means dismissing quotes, surveys, or upgrade prompts before reaching your saved meditations. We rate design at 6.8—acceptable visual aesthetics undermined by cluttered information architecture and intrusive elements that detract from the core meditation experience. | 7.0 Simple Habit won a 2018 Google Material Design Award, demonstrating strong design fundamentals. The interface follows Material Design guidelines with clean visual presentation. Design elements:
Some users mention the UX could be improved compared to newer competitors. The recent app rewrite removed features like favorites, which affected users who relied on that organization method. Navigation could be more intuitive for finding specific content. The design serves its purpose—getting users into meditation quickly. While not cutting-edge in 2025, it's functional and doesn't get in the way of the primary task. We're rating design 7.0 out of 10. Solid, award-winning foundation that works for most users, though some navigation improvements would enhance the experience. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 9.5 From a pure value perspective, Insight Timer is outstanding. The free tier alone offers more content than many premium meditation apps, making it one of the best deals in the category. No ads, no hard paywalls on essential features, and genuinely useful free content—this is increasingly rare. Free tier value:
Premium tier value:
The free version proved entirely sufficient for building a consistent meditation practice in our testing. At €1.99-€219.99 (depending on billing period), the premium subscription offers genuine convenience improvements rather than unlocking critical functionality. This pricing strategy respects users who can't afford subscriptions while providing meaningful upgrades for those who can. Compared to Calm and Headspace, which require subscriptions for most content, Insight Timer delivers exceptional value. Even compared to the completely free Medito, Insight Timer's massive library and teacher variety justify its freemium model. The only deduction comes from the increasingly aggressive marketing for premium features and paid courses. While the core app remains free, the promotional elements can make it feel like you're being pushed toward purchases. Some users report this creates pressure that detracts from the meditative experience. We rate value for money at 9.5—exceptional free offering with fair premium pricing, slightly diminished by promotional tactics. Winner in this category | 5.5 Value assessment for Simple Habit depends heavily on which platform you use and how well it works for you. The pricing ranges from €5.49 to €134.99 for different subscription periods. The value proposition:
The concerns are real though. The free version is very limited—most content locks behind subscription. Some users report even content not marked premium locks after 1-2 sessions. The developers indicated limited Android development plans, suggesting users try the web version for the best experience. For iOS users experiencing the 4.8-star rated app, the value may justify the subscription. For Android users, especially those experiencing technical issues, paying for an app with limited platform support is harder to justify. Free alternatives like Medito offer good meditation content at zero cost with active development. Headspace provides premium features with ongoing support, though at higher pricing. We're rating value for money 5.5 out of 10. Fair value for iOS users and those experiencing smooth performance, but questionable for Android users facing technical issues with limited development support. |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 6.5 Ease of use is perhaps Insight Timer's most polarizing aspect, with experiences varying dramatically between new users and those returning after time away. The app can be genuinely straightforward for daily meditation, but getting to that daily routine involves navigating several obstacles. What makes it easy:
What makes it difficult:
The most common complaint we found echoes across hundreds of reviews: "I just want to meditate, but the app won't let me." Users who haven't opened the app in days or weeks face particularly aggressive re-engagement tactics—mandatory surveys asking about their absence, prompts to set new goals, and multiple screens before reaching the main interface. One user summed it up perfectly: "Used to be a simple timer. Now I need to click through commitments, ads for classes, and questionnaires that impede my meditation every single time." This sentiment appeared repeatedly in our review analysis, especially from longtime users who remember the simpler early versions. For someone using the app daily with established favorites, it functions reasonably well. For anyone else, expect friction. We rate ease of use at 6.5—adequate once you learn to navigate the obstacles, but frustratingly complex for what should be a calming experience. Winner in this category | 6.5 Simple Habit aims for simplicity—the name makes that promise clear. For many users, particularly on iOS with its 4.8-star rating, the app delivers on that promise. Opening the app and starting a 5-minute meditation is straightforward. What works well:
However, some Android users experience friction. A subset report meditations not loading, requiring app restarts. Some experience playback stopping mid-session. A few users had login difficulties with password reset issues. The recent app rewrite removed favorites, which affected users who relied on that organization. The distinction between free and premium content isn't always clear—some sessions lock after 1-2 uses even when not marked as premium, creating confusion about what's included. Most users find the app simple to use, but technical issues affect enough people that reliability becomes a concern for Android users specifically. We're rating ease of use 6.5 out of 10. Works smoothly for many users, but technical inconsistencies on Android create friction that shouldn't exist in an app promising simplicity. Winner in this category |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 8.0 Insight Timer takes a reasonably solid approach to privacy, though not exceptional compared to privacy-focused alternatives. The app can be used entirely without creating an account, which is excellent for those concerned about data collection. However, most users will eventually create accounts to sync progress and save favorites. Privacy strengths:
Privacy concerns:
The privacy policy is reasonably clear about data collection practices, though it's lengthy and covers the typical bases for a modern app. Your meditation habits, session lengths, and content preferences are tracked and used to improve recommendations. This data isn't sold to third parties, but it is used internally for product development and personalization. Compared to Medito, which achieves higher privacy scores through its nonprofit, open-source model, Insight Timer is more typical of commercial meditation apps. It's better than apps that require accounts immediately, but not as privacy-focused as some alternatives. We rate security and privacy at 8.0—solid practices that respect user data without achieving the highest standards of privacy-focused apps. Winner in this category | 6.0 Security and privacy for abandoned apps present unique concerns. While Simple Habit hasn't suffered publicized data breaches, the lack of ongoing security maintenance creates inherent risks. Privacy considerations:
The primary security concern isn't current violations but future vulnerability. Security best practices evolve, new exploit methods emerge, and abandoned apps never receive patches. An app collecting user meditation habits, progress data, and payment information needs ongoing security maintenance. Users also face practical privacy concerns—what happens to their subscription data and stored content when an abandoned app eventually shuts down completely? There's no communication about data retention or eventual service termination. We're rating security and privacy 6.0 out of 10. No current major concerns, but the lack of ongoing security maintenance creates growing risk over time. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | Insight Timer presents a fascinating contradiction: it offers arguably the best free meditation content library available while simultaneously frustrating users with an increasingly cluttered experience. The core value proposition remains exceptional—tens of thousands of guided meditations, a flexible timer, and genuine expertise from world-class teachers, all without mandatory subscriptions or advertisements. However, the app's evolution from simple meditation timer to comprehensive wellness platform has introduced friction that works against its core purpose. Forced surveys, commitment prompts, marketing for courses and retreats, and UI complexity detract from what should be a calming, focused experience. The declining Android ratings (3.87 in recent reviews vs. 4.7 overall) tell a clear story: longtime users are frustrated with the direction. Despite these challenges, we found Insight Timer valuable for our daily practice. The content quality and variety are unmatched, and once you establish your favorite teachers and meditations, the app functions well enough. The premium subscription feels optional rather than necessary, which is refreshing in this category. If you're seeking the most polished, distraction-free meditation experience, Calm or Headspace might serve you better despite their subscription requirements. If you want completely free, no-strings-attached meditation with a cleaner interface, Medito is worth considering. But if you value content variety above all else and can tolerate some interface frustrations, Insight Timer delivers exceptional value. Just be prepared to click through a few extra screens to get to your meditation. | Simple Habit offers something valuable—5-minute meditations designed specifically for busy people. The 4.6 and 4.8 star ratings across platforms show this format resonates with many users. For people who genuinely struggle to find meditation time, the quick sessions and expert guidance provide real value. The concerns are legitimate though. Recent performance issues affect some users, and the developers have indicated limited Android development plans, directing users to the web version instead. The subscription model feels less justified when active platform development is limited. Technical problems some users experience—loading failures, playback issues—become more frustrating knowing they may not receive fixes. Our recommendation depends on your situation. If you have iOS and want quick meditations, Simple Habit's 4.8-star rating suggests it works well. For Android users, proceed cautiously—check if the app works smoothly on your device before subscribing, and consider that technical support may be limited. Alternatively, Medito offers free meditation with active development, and Headspace provides premium content with ongoing support (despite its own current issues). These options provide more confidence in long-term viability and improvements. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
