Compare Let's Meditate and Waking Up: Which App is the Best?

Let's Meditate delivers generally solid performance with reliable core functionality, though our testing revealed some inconsistencies that affect the overall experience. The app's lightweight design means it launches quickly and runs smoothly on older devices—a significant advantage for users without flagship phones.

During our testing across multiple sessions over several weeks, the app started quickly and responded promptly to user input. Navigation between screens was smooth without noticeable lag, and meditation playback began almost instantly after tapping a track. The app's simple architecture translates to efficient performance that doesn't drain system resources.

Offline playback worked flawlessly once meditations were downloaded. We tested this extensively in airplane mode and in areas with no cellular signal, and downloaded tracks played reliably without any streaming issues, buffering, or connectivity errors. This consistent offline performance is crucial for a meditation app and works as advertised.

The audio quality of meditation tracks is good—clear narration without distortion, adequate volume range, and no audio artifacts or dropouts during playback. Background sounds and music integrate smoothly with narration. We never experienced audio cutting out mid-session or playback stopping unexpectedly during meditation.

However, the download functionality showed inconsistencies. Some users reported being able to download only three meditation tracks before hitting an unexplained limit, while others encountered no restrictions at all. We experienced this inconsistency during testing—on one device, downloads worked without limits, while on another, we hit a three-track restriction. The app provided no clear messaging about why this limit existed or how to resolve it, which created frustration.

These download issues appeared in recent user reviews more frequently than older ones, suggesting possible degradation in this specific feature. One user noted: "I love this app i used it daily. But I only can download 3 videos and can't download anymore videos after that, i don't know why." Another mentioned download functionality simply not working at all.

Battery consumption during our testing was reasonable. Extended meditation sessions didn't drain battery excessively, and the app didn't cause noticeable device heating. The simple interface and straightforward audio playback keep resource usage minimal, which is appropriate for an app meant to run during calming activities.

We didn't encounter crashes during our testing period. The app remained stable across multiple daily uses, background transitions, and various meditation lengths. User reviews generally don't mention stability issues either, suggesting reliable operation for most users.

Load times for the meditation library and individual track information were quick. The app doesn't rely heavily on server communication (once tracks are downloaded), which contributes to snappy performance. Switching between categories and browsing meditations felt responsive throughout testing.

The app's storage footprint is modest before downloading meditations. Downloaded tracks do consume storage space, but this is expected and manageable given the selective download approach. The app provides no indication of how much space individual tracks will use before downloading, which would be a helpful addition.

Compared to competitors, performance is on par with other lightweight meditation apps like Medito and simpler than feature-heavy apps like Insight Timer which can feel sluggish when loading its massive library. Let's Meditate's minimalist approach benefits performance.

The app works consistently across meditation sessions of various lengths. We tested everything from 5-minute quick sessions to 40+ minute extended meditations without performance degradation or issues maintaining audio playback.

One performance-related concern is the lack of background audio controls. Some users expect to control meditation playback from their device's lock screen or notification area, and the implementation of these controls could be more robust. This isn't a critical performance issue but does affect usability during meditation sessions.

Recent reviews show a slight increase in technical complaints, particularly around download functionality, suggesting possible performance degradation in recent updates. The overall rating decline from 4.8 to 4.57 stars in recent reviews may reflect these issues, though the app remains generally stable for most users.

The app performs well in offline mode, which is critical for meditation apps used in various environments. Airplane mode testing revealed no issues with cached content, and the app didn't attempt unnecessary network connections that might drain battery or cause errors.

We rate performance at 8.3 out of 10. The app delivers reliable, smooth operation with quick launch times, efficient resource usage, and stable audio playback. Offline functionality works excellently once tracks are downloaded. However, the inconsistent download limits, lack of clear error messaging for download issues, and recent reports of download functionality problems prevent a higher rating. For an app focused on calm and relaxation, any technical friction that creates frustration undermines the core purpose. Most users will have a smooth experience, but the download issues affect enough users to be concerning and merit improvement.

Let's Meditate delivers exceptional value for money, and this is one area where the app truly excels. The core proposition is simple and powerful: completely free access to all meditation content with no subscription required, no trial periods that expire, and no premium features locked behind paywalls. This is genuine, permanent free access.

During our extensive testing, we never encountered a paywall, subscription prompt, or premium upgrade offer. Every meditation in the library is available to every user from day one. This contrasts sharply with competitors like Calm ($69.99/year), Headspace ($69.99/year), or Balance ($69.99/year) which require subscriptions to access most content.

The optional donation system is thoughtfully implemented. Donations range from €0.79 to €100.00, allowing users to contribute what they can afford if they find value in the app. This pay-what-you-want approach respects users' financial situations while providing a way to support the developer. We appreciate that donations are truly optional—there's no guilt-tripping, no limited-time offers, no artificial scarcity to pressure users into paying.

However, some users reported confusion about what donations actually provide. Several reviews mentioned donating and then being unclear about what they received in return. This suggests the donation system could better communicate whether it unlocks features, removes theoretical limits, or simply supports development. Greater transparency here would improve the experience.

Let's compare the value proposition to alternatives:

• Calm: $69.99/year for premium meditation content, sleep stories, and masterclasses—significantly more polished but requires ongoing payment
• Headspace: $69.99/year for guided meditations, courses, and mental health resources—comprehensive but expensive
• Medito: Completely free, non-profit, no donations required—comparable value with professionally narrated content
• Insight Timer: Free with optional premium ($59.99/year)—massive library but with ads and upsells in free version
• Serenity: Freemium with in-app purchases (€3.79-€149.99)—good free content but limited

For users who meditate regularly, Let's Meditate could save hundreds of dollars compared to subscription apps while still providing effective guided meditation. A user practicing daily for a year would save $70 compared to Calm, $70 compared to Headspace, and $60 compared to Insight Timer Premium—all while getting full access to Let's Meditate's library.

The value proposition is particularly strong for:

• Budget-conscious users who can't justify meditation app subscriptions
• Beginners exploring meditation without financial commitment
• Users in regions where subscription prices are prohibitively expensive
• People who want meditation tools accessible regardless of financial situation

The trade-offs for this free access are primarily in polish rather than functionality. The AI-generated voices aren't as soothing as professional narrators, the design lacks the sophistication of premium apps, and the feature set is more limited. But the core meditation content is effective and functional.

Several users in reviews specifically praised the app's commitment to keeping meditation accessible without profit motives. One reviewer noted: "Wonderful and truly free. Out of all the apps to promote healing and transformation and put a price tag on personal spiritual growth and then profit from it, this one does NOT." This sentiment reflects genuine appreciation for the value model.

The absence of ads significantly enhances value. Many "free" apps monetize through advertising, which interrupts the experience and extracts value through your attention and data. Let's Meditate avoids this entirely, making the free version truly usable rather than a frustrating demo designed to push you toward paying.

Even compared to Medito, which also offers completely free meditation, Let's Meditate holds its own. While Medito has higher production values, Let's Meditate's simplicity and immediate accessibility appeal to users who want the absolute minimum barrier to entry.

The only scenario where Let's Meditate might represent less value is for users who specifically want premium features like progress tracking, social features, celebrity narrators, or highly structured programs. For those users, the subscription cost of competitors might be justified by the additional functionality.

We rate value for money at 9.8 out of 10. The app provides genuine free access to functional meditation content with no strings attached, saving users potentially hundreds of dollars annually. The optional donation model is ethical and transparent. The only minor deduction is for the confusion around what donations provide and the trade-offs in production quality compared to paid competitors. For pure value—what you get for what you pay—Let's Meditate is nearly unbeatable in the meditation app space.

Let's Meditate excels in ease of use, and this is where the app truly shines. We can't think of many meditation apps that are simpler to start using—download it, open it, tap a meditation, and you're practicing within seconds. No account creation, no onboarding quiz, no tutorial screens. Just immediate access to meditation content.

This frictionless entry is a massive advantage for beginners who might feel intimidated by more complex apps. During our testing, we found ourselves recommending it to friends specifically because there's virtually no learning curve. If you can use a basic music player app, you can use Let's Meditate.

The organization of content is straightforward and logical. Meditations are grouped by topic—anxiety, sleep, body scan, healing—making it easy to find what you need based on your current state of mind. We tested this by asking non-meditators to find a sleep meditation, and everyone succeeded within seconds. The search experience, while basic, gets the job done.

Downloading meditations for offline use is equally intuitive. Tap the download icon next to a track, wait for it to save, and you're done. Downloaded tracks are clearly marked, and managing your offline library is simple. We never encountered confusion about which tracks were available offline during our airplane mode testing.

The playback interface uses standard controls that anyone familiar with audio apps will recognize immediately—play, pause, skip forward, skip back. There's no need to learn custom gestures or hunt for hidden features. During meditation sessions, we found the controls responsive and exactly where we expected them.

One minor friction point: some users reported download limits, where they could only download three meditations initially. We encountered this inconsistently during testing, and the limit wasn't clearly communicated upfront. When it happens, it's confusing because there's no explanation or clear path to understanding why. However, this didn't affect all users, and many reported no download restrictions at all.

The app's simplicity means there's less to learn, but it also means there's less flexibility. You can't create custom playlists, set meditation reminders, or configure advanced preferences. For users who want these features, the simplicity becomes a limitation. For those who just want to meditate without fuss, it's perfect.

Navigation throughout the app is predictable and consistent. Back buttons work as expected, categories don't mysteriously change locations, and the app state persists reliably when you close and reopen it. We never lost our place or felt disoriented.

Compared to apps like Headspace which can feel overwhelming with features, or Insight Timer with its massive library requiring curation, Let's Meditate feels refreshingly direct. The ease of use rivals Medito, another app praised for its straightforward approach.

We rate ease of use at 9.2 out of 10. The app removes nearly every barrier between you and starting meditation practice, which is exactly what many users need. The only deduction comes from the confusing download limit issue and lack of helpful guidance for complete beginners who might benefit from recommendations on where to start their meditation journey.

Let's Meditate takes a refreshingly privacy-respecting approach that stands out in today's data-hungry app landscape. The most significant privacy feature is also the most obvious: no account required. You can download the app and start meditating without providing any personal information whatsoever—no email, no phone number, no login credentials.

This zero-account approach means there's no user profile being built, no personal data stored on remote servers, and no risk of your meditation habits being tracked or analyzed. During our testing, we used the app extensively without ever being prompted to create an account or sign in. The app respects your anonymity completely.

The offline functionality further enhances privacy. Once you've downloaded meditation tracks, you can use them entirely offline with no internet connection required. This means your meditation practice remains private on your device, with no data transmission about when or how often you meditate.

The app requests minimal permissions on your device. We reviewed the permission requests during installation and found them reasonable and limited to what's necessary for core functionality—storage access for downloading meditations and basic app operations. There's no request for location data, contacts, camera, or other invasive permissions common in modern apps.

The absence of advertisements is both a feature and a privacy win. No ads means no ad tracking pixels, no behavioral profiling for ad targeting, and no third-party advertising networks with access to your data. This is a significant advantage over free apps that monetize through advertising.

We couldn't find evidence of third-party analytics services or tracking frameworks in our basic testing. The app appears to operate independently without the typical analytics and monitoring tools that most apps employ. This lack of tracking is rare and appreciated.

However, there are some privacy considerations to keep in mind. The optional donation system does involve payment processing, which necessarily means sharing payment information with Google Play's billing system. While this is standard and secure, it does create a data point connecting you to the app if you choose to donate. The confusion some users reported about donations suggests the payment flow could be clearer about what information is being collected.

The app's privacy policy wasn't immediately accessible within the app during our testing, which is a notable omission. While the minimalist data collection means there's likely little to disclose, having a clearly stated privacy policy is important for user trust and transparency.

We also couldn't find information about data retention, server security, or what happens if you decide to uninstall the app. For an app collecting minimal data, this is less critical than for data-heavy apps, but transparency is still valuable.

Compared to competitors, Let's Meditate's privacy approach is excellent. Apps like Headspace and Calm require accounts and collect usage data. Medito takes a similar privacy-first approach, also allowing anonymous use and offline functionality. Insight Timer requires an account and collects more user data for its social features.

The donation model deserves privacy consideration. While optional, donations create a transaction record. However, this is processed through Google Play's secure payment system, not directly by the app developer, which provides standard payment security protections.

We rate security and privacy at 9.5 out of 10. The no-account approach, minimal permissions, offline functionality, and absence of ads and tracking create an excellent privacy profile. The app respects user anonymity and collects essentially no personal data. The only deductions are for lack of a clearly accessible privacy policy and unclear communication about the donation payment process. For privacy-conscious users, Let's Meditate is among the best options available.