You have made time to meditate, found a comfortable seat and put your phone aside. Then comes the question: what do you actually do? Guided meditation offers spoken instructions, giving you something to follow as you begin.
If you enjoy So Hum’s music or a quiet moment after yoga, a guided practice can be a different way to explore that time. The useful question is whether you want a listening space, a teacher’s guidance or a course you can return to.
What do you want from a meditation app?
Before comparing subscriptions, decide what would make starting easier. You might want a clear beginning and ending, explanations of unfamiliar ideas or a sequence of lessons that saves you choosing a different session every day.
If you mainly want quiet music, start with our guide to meditation music or silence. If you want someone to explain a practice and guide your attention, look more closely at the teaching.
Where Waking Up may fit
Waking Up takes a secular approach to meditation. Its Introductory Course combines guided practice with short lessons, while the wider library includes meditations, lessons and conversations.
It may suit you if you want a structured starting point and are curious about the ideas behind meditation. If you prefer very little talking, listen to an introduction before deciding whether this approach fits your practice.
Our view here is based on Waking Up’s published information. We have not completed its course or personally tested the app for this article.
Affiliate disclosure: So Hum Collective is a Waking Up affiliate. If you purchase through the link below, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the price you pay.
Explore Waking Up’s 14-day trial offer
Offer checked 23 October 2026: the linked page showed 14 days free and an annual subscription of US$119.99, advertised as US$30 off. The displayed US$9.99 monthly equivalent is billed annually. Check eligibility, the charge after the trial, renewal price and cancellation terms at signup; offers can change.
Listen to the teacher before choosing the library
A large collection matters less than finding guidance you want to follow. Where a public introduction or sample is available, notice the voice, vocabulary and pace. Are the instructions easy to understand? Is there enough space to practise between explanations?
You do not need to like every teacher or agree with every idea. Choose a starting course or a few sessions, rather than trying to explore everything at once.
Try it in your actual routine
Choose a time you could realistically use again: after your morning tea, following yoga or during an ordinary evening pause. Begin with a session whose length fits the time you have.
Afterwards, ask three simple questions: could I follow the guidance, did the length suit me and would I choose to return? These observations can help you decide whether the format works for you without expecting a particular result from one session.
Check the subscription details
Before entering payment details, check:
- The price and currency, and whether billing is monthly or annual.
- What happens when any trial ends, including the first payment date.
- How to cancel through the website or app store you use.
- The device and accessibility features you need.
- Where to find privacy, account-deletion and refund information.
If you use a trial, set a reminder before renewal so you have time to decide. Offers can change; use the terms displayed when you sign up.
A paid app is optional
A free guided recording, a local meditation group or quiet practice without a subscription can also be a starting point. If cost is a barrier, Waking Up’s website provides information about requesting a scholarship.
You can also build a small routine without adding another app. Explore our flexible evening wind-down routine or try these mindfulness journal prompts. Choose something you want to make room for, and let your preferences guide the next step.
Sources checked 23 October 2026: Waking Up’s official overview and its Introductory Course explanation.