Compare Insight Timer and Psiphon VPN: Which App is the Best?
Psiphon VPN is an open-source circumvention tool with 100M+ downloads and 4.5/5 rating, offering internet freedom and bypassing censorship, though it has faced some recent connection issues and forced app installations. | 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. | |
| 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. | 7.1 | 7.9 Winner in this category |
| 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. | 8.0 Psiphon VPN offers a comprehensive set of features that justify its circumvention positioning. The service includes open-source transparency, automatic protocol selection, and constantly changing servers. The service also includes advanced features like multi-language support and NGO partnerships, making it more than just a basic VPN. What sets Psiphon VPN apart is its open-source nature and internet freedom focus. The service also includes advanced features like research-backed security and NGO partnerships, making it more than just a basic VPN. However, unlike Proton VPN, it lacks some advanced privacy features like kill switch and split tunneling. However, the service lacks some advanced features found in dedicated VPN providers, such as specialized servers for specific use cases and some cutting-edge privacy features. The service also doesn't offer some advanced features like obfuscated servers or specialized streaming servers that some competitors provide. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN offers good features, but the connection issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives. The service provides good value for users who need circumvention features. | 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 |
| Performance Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Performance' aspect of each app. | 6.0 Psiphon VPN's performance is inconsistent, with good circumvention capabilities when working but frequent connection issues that significantly impact usability. The service offers decent connection speeds and automatic protocol selection, but the frequent disconnections and loading delays make it difficult to use reliably. The service works well for basic circumvention protection when connected, but many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection issues are particularly concerning given the circumvention positioning. The service's performance issues are particularly concerning given the circumvention positioning. Users expect reliability and performance from a circumvention tool, but Psiphon VPN's connection problems make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN's performance is below average. The connection issues make it difficult to justify the circumvention positioning, and users might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability. | 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 |
| Design Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Design' aspect of each app. | 6.5 Psiphon VPN's interface strikes a basic balance between functionality and circumvention usability. The main screen provides quick access to connection controls and key settings. The interface is functional but not particularly polished, with basic attention to detail and user experience. The app's design is functional and well-organized, with clear navigation between different features. The connection status is clearly displayed, and the settings menu is basic. The interface doesn't overwhelm users with complex options while still providing access to advanced features. The interface is generally user-friendly and provides good visual feedback about connection status and app performance. The design reflects the circumvention positioning of the service, making it suitable for users in restricted regions. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN's design is functional but not as polished. The interface is basic and functional, with adequate attention to detail for circumvention users. | 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. Winner in this category |
| Value for Money Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Value for Money' aspect of each app. | 7.5 Psiphon VPN's value proposition is good for circumvention users, with open-source transparency and internet freedom features. The service offers competitive pricing compared to other circumvention tools, with the ability to get open-source circumvention for free being a significant advantage. The service's pricing is competitive with other circumvention tools, and the open-source nature makes it particularly attractive for users who want complete control and transparency. The comprehensive features and privacy protection add value beyond basic circumvention functionality. However, the service's value is impacted by connection stability issues and forced app installations. Many users report frequent disconnections and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The connection issues make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives like Proton VPN or NordVPN. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN offers good features but at a similar cost. The connection issues make it difficult to recommend over circumvention alternatives that offer similar performance with better reliability. | 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 |
| Ease of Use Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Ease of Use' aspect of each app. | 6.0 Psiphon VPN is moderately easy to use for basic circumvention functionality, but requires some technical knowledge for optimal use. The app's design is functional, but most users need to understand circumvention concepts to get the best results. The service works well for most circumvention use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. The service offers automatic protocol selection and constantly changing servers, making it accessible to users with technical knowledge. The app doesn't require complex configuration, and the circumvention connection process is straightforward. The service works well for most circumvention use cases and provides good performance when functioning properly. However, the service's ease of use is compromised by recent connection issues and forced app installations. Many users report VPN connection failures and the need to manually reconnect multiple times. The app can be frustrating to use due to connection issues and loading delays. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN's ease of use is similar but not significantly better. The connection issues can be frustrating for users who expect reliability from a circumvention tool. | 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 |
| Security & Privacy Prod Apps's expert score for the 'Security & Privacy' aspect of each app. | 8.5 Psiphon VPN takes security and privacy seriously, with open-source transparency and research-backed security technologies. The service includes automatic protocol selection and constantly changing servers. The service also includes advanced features like NGO partnerships for enhanced privacy protection. The service's privacy features are comprehensive for a circumvention solution, with open-source transparency and research-backed security. The service also includes advanced features like NGO partnerships for enhanced security and privacy protection. Psiphon VPN has an excellent security record, with open-source transparency and community oversight. The circumvention focus ensures complete transparency, and the NGO partnerships mean the highest security standards are maintained. Compared to other circumvention tools like Proton VPN or NordVPN, Psiphon VPN's security practices are excellent. The service provides the highest level of protection for users who prioritize circumvention and transparency. Winner in this category | 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. |
| Conclusion A summary of our findings and final thoughts for each app. | Psiphon VPN offers good circumvention capabilities and open-source transparency, but its value proposition is compromised by recent connection issues and forced app installations. The service provides excellent internet freedom features and NGO partnerships, but the connection problems and loading delays make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives.
For users who prioritize internet freedom and are willing to work within the service's limitations, Psiphon VPN offers a solid feature set with good circumvention capabilities when working properly. However, those seeking specialized VPN functionality or experiencing connection issues might find better value with alternatives that offer similar features with better reliability, such as Proton VPN for general VPN needs.
Ultimately, Psiphon VPN's open-source approach and internet freedom focus make it a good choice for users seeking circumvention tools, but the connection stability issues and forced installations make it difficult to recommend over more reliable alternatives that offer similar features with better performance. For general VPN usage, consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN for more reliable connections. | 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. |
| Our Recommendation | ||
