# Brightmind Meditation — user reviews > 144 indexed App Store user reviews of Brightmind Meditation by Brightmind Community LLC, rated 4.80/5 from 1,021 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brightmind-meditation/id1303790148/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brightmind-meditation/id1303790148.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 907 · 4★ 54 · 3★ 12 · 2★ 19 · 1★ 29 ## What do users think of Brightmind Meditation? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Structured and progressive meditation curriculum - 👍 Clear and engaging instruction - 🧠 Helps deepen meditation practice - 🤝 Supportive community and live classes - 💡 Variety of techniques beyond just breath focus **Cons** - 💰 Expensive subscription model - 🐛 Technical issues like app crashes and lost progress - 🔒 Concerns about mandatory account creation and data collection **Commonly reported bugs** - Login/authentication problems - Meditations disappearing from the app - Resets to zero for meditation streaks **Most requested features** - Monthly or flexible subscription options - Better integration of nature sounds - Improved user experience and stability ## Newest reviews (17 of 144) ### 2/5 — Ok *2026-05-07, version 4.14* Not what I expected ### 2/5 — The app is rated highly b/c it has only a tiny subset of meditators drawn to it. *2025-09-06, version 4.3.2* After a year, using the most popular app, I wanted to go deeper and try something different. The App Store at this stage of Brightmind development is wildly inaccurate. The implication that Toby Sola will aiwas ready for something deeper and longer ### 4/5 — Try to remain detached *2024-11-24, version 3.25* I love this app and it’s got me into sitting daily without fail for about 1.5 years. The way it keeps track of my practice streak was the accountability structure I needed to get me into the habit of sitting daily. I had to get a new phone and when I used it for the first time to open Brightmind for practice, at the end I was sad to see that my streak of -480 days has been reset to zero. Let’s do it again I guess. ### 5/5 — Life is better *2024-10-27* I love this app so much it’s helped me really understand the techniques of meditation which has helped a lot with anxiety / mood. I do 13 minutes almost every day. **Developer response:** So glad you're enjoying Brightmind! Keep up the good work -- Toby Sola ### 5/5 — A Transformative Meditation Journey with Brightmind *2024-09-03* Brightmind is a standout meditation app that goes beyond simple guided sessions. It’s thoughtfully organized, making it easy to navigate your meditation journey. What sets it apart is the unique way it teaches valuable concepts while taking you on an interactive learning experience. The instructor shares his personal journey and quirky personality, which adds an authentic and relatable touch. This app doesn’t just guide you through meditation—it empowers you to understand and deepen your practice. Highly recommended for anyone looking to truly grow in their mindfulness journey! **Developer response:** Thanks for the kind words. It’s an honor to support your practice, keep up the good work! -- Toby Sola ### 5/5 — Absolutely Excellent *2024-08-29, version 3.23.2* Having practised TM consistently for over 20 years, Brightmind has taken my knowledge to a completely new (and better) level. The App is clearly the love child of Toby its developer, and my congratulations to him for producing something so effective. ### 5/5 — A Path to a Simple but Very Deep Meditation Practice *2024-07-09* There are dozens of meditation apps in the App Store. The practices vary from simple breathwork to chant-based meditations deeply indebted to Eastern spirituality. With too simple a meditation app you risk losing the point and experiencing little more than a relaxation exercise. Go too far the other way and you get spiritual baggage that at best may not be relevant to you and at worst may push you away from meditation entirely. Brightmind meets you at the perfect place. If you try this app out for a few days and find it to be too simple, I urge you to stick with it for a month or two. I am very glad I pushed through to the point that I understood what the app was doing - it develops beautifully and you will come to appreciate the approach. Meditation does not need to be heady or complicated to be a deep practice (in fact, I’d argue it really shouldn’t be). Based on Unified Mindfulness, Brightmind presents a meditation practice that benefits from the conceptual depth of more religious-based practice, but with simplicity of direction and without the baggage of religious context (though I will add that it is completely compatible with religion - it is inspired by Buddhism and if you’re not the type of person who is turned off by the association, you can apply the context of this religion or others and the app will fit within). In addition to this, Brightmind also offers so much more than other apps. Ongoing virtual retreats, daily Zoom sits, and a community chat help you to clarify your experiences alongside a community. No other app comes close to matching the simultaneous simplicity and depth of this app. I hope thousands of people download this app and support Toby to continue spreading this style of meditation as widely and for as long as possible. **Developer response:** Thanks for the detailed review. It’s an honor to support your practice : ) Keep up the good work! -- Toby Sola ### 5/5 — Best app to learn meditation *2024-06-07, version 3.22* Really amazing app to learn meditation, no frills. ### 5/5 — A complete course as promised *2023-11-14, version 3.16* Brightmind is more than a meditation app. It’s a complete course, that allowed me to progress beyond simply focusing on my breath and treating meditation as a stress reliever. Brightmind provides various tools along with tips about how and when to apply them, and they’ve been immensely helpful. Thank you Toby & Shinzen. ### 5/5 — Excellent techniques beginner to advanced *2023-11-12* I have been meditating for 20 years without apps in the beginning and later tried various apps. Many present “life lessons” but basically no techniques or the tried and true breath. They left me wanting more and Brightmind finally provided what I was seeking: explorations into meditation and into the unknown. I find Brightmind both immensely helpful in teachings and techniques but also as a catalyst for self exploration and endless learning and yet more inquiry. Just finished my first Zoom retreat and loved it, hope to join more. Thank you Toby and Shinzen for all the good stuff. Loving it! **Developer response:** Was great to practice with you! And so glad to hear that Brightmind is supporting your practice. Keep up the good work! -- Toby ### 5/5 — Thanks *2023-11-03, version 3.16* I’ve been mediating for a long time but Brightmind and the Unified Mindfulness approach has resulted in a quantum leap in my practice, improving every facet of my life. ### 5/5 — A step up from headspace *2023-10-16, version 3.16* These meditations are a definite step up from headspace, 💯 recommend trying these techniques regardless of your experience with meditation ### 5/5 — My favourite meditation app *2023-10-05* Tried many, like this one best **Developer response:** So glad you're enjoying Brightmind. Keep up the good work! -- Toby Sola ### 5/5 — Great, useful and enjoyable! *2023-09-16, version 3.16* I love Brightmind! I can choose the duration of a practice, I can choose a guided or an unguided option, I can read a summary of what was covered during the practice. This is my third year with Brightmind 😍💯👍Thank you, Toby! ### 5/5 — Structured, supportive, gradual *2023-08-26* I have enjoyed many meditation apps, but this one is truly the best. The teacher clearly cares so much about delivering this content. It’s motivational and gamified while being simple. The content is structured well, teaching so much while keeping it simple. Each lesson builds on the last. Easily searchable summaries for each level to help with reviewing and those who prefer reading content. The best of the best. Thanks so much for creating this amazing, insightful, extraordinary app. It’s brought back my consistent meditation practice. I am continuing to learn so much and experience benefits daily. **Developer response:** You’re welcome! It’s an honor to support your practice : ) Keep up the good work! -- Toby ### 5/5 — The best meditation app *2023-08-23, version 3.16* Simply ### 5/5 — Structured, supportive, gradual *2023-08-19* I have enjoyed many meditation apps, but this one is truly the best. The teacher clearly cares so much about delivering this content. It’s motivationl and gamified while being simple. The content is structured well, teaching so much while keeping it simple. Each lesson builds on the last. Easily searchable summaries for each level to help with reviewing and those who prefer reading content. The best of the best. Thanks so much for creating this amazing, insightful, extraordinary app. It’s brought back my consistent meditstion practice. I am continuing to learn so much and experience benefits daily. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Misled *2026-04-25, version 4.11* I came for Shinzen Young’s teachings but the app has been high jacked by some pretender parroting Shinzens teachings without the depth ### 1/5 — Bad *2025-08-09, version 4.3* I want to be healthy for free don’t want to pay $100 to to be skinny or look better 😡 don’t downlode it if you don’t have $100 a year ### 1/5 — Another gatekeeper *2024-03-03* Gatekeeping spirituality for those who can afford 100 bucks… **Developer response:** Would you prefer waiting outside a temple for days? That's a traditional option : ) But in all seriousness, shoot me an email and I'll give you free access (toby.sola@brightmind.com) Cheers! -- Toby Sola ### 1/5 — How much money is made w ppl forgetting to unsuscribe *2023-07-07* **** this app, never sent a notification or message to remind me of the end of free trial now I have to pay $100+ for something ill never use **Developer response:** You should be able to get a refund. Shoot me an email! toby.sola@brightmind.com ### 1/5 — very bad performance *2021-11-01, version 3.0.3* phone becomes very hot while using the app. ### 1/5 — Poor service, can’t cancel *2021-07-13, version 2.9.5* I purchased the app on the Brightmind website and I can’t cancel it. They sent me a notice that it will be renewed in a week, but the links in the email to my payment info doesn’t work, the phone number provided doesn’t work, and I can’t access my billing info nor my subscription options from either the website or from within the app. The response from an email to the company was that it will take a least 5 days to get back to me. If I didn’t know better, I’d think this was a scam. ### 1/5 — Very poor customer service *2020-11-29, version 2.9.4* They seem to make it real hard to manage your own subscriptions by yourself. For some dumb reason you need to contact customer service but their turnaround time is 5 days!!! 5 days!! Really??? Was going to renew but have decided to ditch due to this reason alone! ### 1/5 — Can’t login *2020-10-17* Getting UNKNOWN AUTHENTICATION ERROR error on login ### 1/5 — Make us more addicted *2020-09-23, version 2.9.3* Yet another reason to be glued to our phones. ### 1/5 — Charged £85.99 without warning! *2020-07-22, version 2.9.3* I was moved from the free trial, to the full paid version, without warning, and charged £85.99. I can not afford that sort of spending right now! I do not use the app, and had no intention to upgrade. I am so angry and disappointed that a meditation app, of all things, would use practises which cause so much stress. Not very mindful of you, a deserving 1/5 stars. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Deep Learning and Great Progress *2026-03-23* I love this app. After using several meditation apps since I was 16, including insight timer, headspace, and other big names, I’ve found this one to be the absolute GOAT. The concepts are very well explained and come together relatively quickly in the learning journey. They give you a lot to consider while still feeling simple enough to basically remember it all in practice. The explanations are clear and Toby’s voice is nice to listen to. I originally used this app with Shinzen’s voice and those old tapes are still in the archive. When I use this app, my life is noticeably better, happier, richer, and more fun. It’s the only app I want to spend money on. **Developer response:** Thank you so much for this incredibly kind review. It's an honor to support your practice, and hearing that Brightmind has made your life noticeably better means everything to me. Keep up the good work! Toby Sola ### 5/5 — Bright mind the way to learn meditation *2025-07-22, version 4.1* Love brightmind very detailed and structured teaching, My phone is now to old of a iOS to use it currently, but I still feel equiped with or without Bright-mind to meditate anywhere any time! ### 5/5 — Best meditation guide *2025-07-22, version 4.2.1* The approach to meditation has already taught me so much, and I thought I was pretty familiar with mediation already. I really appreciate the organization. It feels refreshing, comforting, and effective. Such fantastic guidance and a high quality app experience! ### 5/5 — Incredible! *2025-05-13, version 4.0* I have been practicing Mindfulness & meditation for about 10 years .. have used most Apps with a certain amount of success but this App out does them all .. Toby is incredible and whether you enjoy structure (me) or don’t there is something here for you to take your practice way beyond next level ! ### 5/5 — Amazing value! *2025-05-12, version 4.0* I found this app years back after reading a Shinzen Young book. The lessons and progression of the practice as taught through this app are invaluable and the way it allows you to set your practice for a time that works for you wothout leaving any details out is really cool! Toby (the man behind the app) is really helpful and super responsive in case there are ever any issues. So appreciate that this app exists to benefit so many! 🫶🏼 ### 5/5 — Brilliant and immaculately well organised. *2025-05-03, version 4.0* This app has become a much appreciated hub for my practice. It’s true to Shinzen Young’s system of comprehensive focus training and adds the warmth, humour and dynamism of its developer, Toby, whose guidance is lucid and generous. The recent update makes it beautiful to use and the options to engage with chats, coaching and to join retreats are wonderful. It’s a steady support to take meditation deep when life allows and to keep up meaningful practice when life gets tough. ### 5/5 — Must have meditation app *2025-05-01* Have been using the app for years… the 4.0 version is the best… love the cool new features! **Developer response:** Glad you like 4.0! Keep up the good work : ) -- Toby Sola ### 5/5 — My go-to meditation app *2025-04-30* This is my go-to mediation app since years. It has everything I need for my meditation. **Developer response:** So glad to hear you're enjoying Brightmind. Keep up the good work! -- Toby Sola ### 5/5 — Everything you need to deepen your meditation practice-clear, insightful and a supportive community *2025-03-28, version 3.30* I really appreciate how clearly Toby explains each meditation, not just the how but also the why. It makes it so much easier to stay engaged and understand the benefits. Once you graduate past the first few levels you can join the Brightmind community and join monthly retreats. It feels like you are meditating alongside others and not just meditating on your own. ### 5/5 — Really Taught Me How to Meditate *2024-11-29* And keeps me growing in my practice. Each level teaches new techniques and variations to deepen and improve my meditations. And a new set is available each month (many from guest teachers), so there are always more ways to grow. I have come so far in dealing with my crippling anxiety since finding this app. Over the years since I started, I’ve also gotten better at responding vs. reacting, adjusting my behavior toward greater emotional and physical health, even improving my relationships. I came to this app after trying a couple of others. One I still use in conjunction with this from time to time. But Brightmind is the One. **Developer response:** It's an honor to support your practice : ) So glad you're enjoying the retreats. Keep up the good work! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-07.*