# Waking Up: Meditation & Wisdom — Insights for a Better Life > Guided meditation, wisdom, and theory for mental clarity and well-being. (iPhone/iPad app by Waking Up Course, LLC.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waking-up-meditation-and-wisdom/id1307736395 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Waking Up Course, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1307736394) - Category: Health & Fitness, Education - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.90/5 from 42,564 App Store ratings · 1,797 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.0 · 102 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2018-09-21 - Data updated: 2026-08-26 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waking-up-meditation-and-wisdom/id1307736395/reviews.md ## What is Waking Up? Recognized as a 2025 Pick by NYT Wirecutter Featured as a 2026 pick for the App Store “App of the Day” Thousands worldwide call Waking Up life changing. Whether you want better sleep, more clarity, or deeper meditation, Waking Up is your complete guide. Testimonials “Waking Up has led to my most consistent meditation practice. Family and staff also use it because it’s such a powerful tool.” —Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist “Waking Up is a critical part of my daily practice. It’s my go-to for presence, peace, and well-being.” —Rich Roll, athlete & author “If you’ve had trouble getting into meditation, this app is your answer!” —Susan Cain, best-selling author What’s Inside - Introductory Course—a transformative 28-day program, for both beginners and experienced meditators - Daily Meditations—regular guided sessions with Sam Harris - Daily Quotes—a spark of insight each day - Daily Wisdom—brief lessons that shift perspective - Moment—short reflections when you need them most - Sleep—talks and meditations to help you rest - Meditation Timer—customize your own sessions - A vast library of meditations, theory sessions, life courses, conversations, and Q&As - Community—connect with members to discuss meditation, philosophy, psychedelics, and more - CarPlay—listen to select sessions and conversations while you drive. Why Waking Up Stands Out Unlike conventional meditation apps, Waking Up blends practice with theory—so you not only learn to meditate but also understand how it transforms your mind. It’s meditation, science, and timeless wisdom in one place. Topics & Techniques Our library combines contemplative traditions with modern science, offering tools for both practice and understanding. Techniques include mindfulness (Vipassana), Loving-Kindness, body scans, yoga nidra, and nondual awareness practices from Dzogchen, Zen, and Advaita Vedanta. Topics span neuroscience, psychology, Stoicism, ethics, psychedelics, productivity, and happiness. Content & Teachers Created by neuroscientist and best-selling author Sam Harris, Waking Up features leading voices in meditation, philosophy, and psychology. - Practice—Vipassana, Zen, Dzogchen, Advaita Vedanta (Joseph Goldstein, Diana Winston, Adyashanti, Henry Shukman, Richard Lang) - Theory—the philosophy and science of consciousness, ethics, and well-being (Alan Watts, Charlotte Joko Beck, Joan Tollifson, James Low, Douglas Harding) - Life—mindfulness in relationships, productivity, Stoicism, and more (David Whyte, Oliver Burkeman, Matthew Walker, Amanda Knox, Donald Robertson, Bob Waldinger) - Conversations—Sam Harris with Yuval Noah Harari, Michael Pollan, Morgan Housel, Roland Griffiths, Cal Newport, Shinzen Young - Q&As—Sam Harris with Joseph Goldstein, Adyashanti, Henry Shukman, Jack Kornfield, Loch Kelly And many more subjects and teachers. Created by Sam Harris Neuroscientist and best-selling author Sam Harris built Waking Up as the resource he wished he’d had when he began meditating 30 years ago. Every practice, course, and teacher is chosen for its power to change lives. Free for Anyone Who Can’t Afford It We never want money to be the reason someone can’t benefit from our app. To learn about our scholarship program, reach out to support@wakingup.com. Subscriptions renew unless auto-renew is disabled 24 hours before the current period ends. Manage in Apple account settings. Payment charged to your Apple account. Terms: https://wakingup.com/terms-of-service/ Privacy: https://wakingup.com/privacy-policy/ Satisfaction guarantee: Email support@wakingup.com for a full refund. ## Key features - 28-day introductory meditation course - Daily guided meditations with Sam Harris - Short reflections and daily quotes - Sleep meditations and talks - Customizable meditation timer - Extensive library of meditations and theory sessions - Community forum for discussions ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **Subscriptions** | Subscription | Price | Period | | --- | --- | --- | | 3 Months Subscription | $59.99 | per 3 months | | Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month | | Premium Subscription | $149.99 | per year | | Waking Up Yearly Subscription | $149.99 | per year | | Yearly Subscription | $149.99 | per year | | Family Yearly Subscription | $229.99 | per year | | Monthly Subscription | $19.99 | per month | | Family Yearly Subscription | $229.00 | per year | ## Chart rankings - #202 in Top Free · Health & Fitness (US App Store) - #58 in Top Grossing · Health & Fitness (US App Store) ## What do users think of Waking Up? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🙏 Life changing - 👍 Exactly what I needed - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Amazing - 🙏 2 years in. Still enjoying. - 🙏 Excellent Tool - 🙏 Changed my life - 🙏 Authentic - 👍 Want to meditate - Start here - 👍 Totally satisfied! - 🙏 Kindness at its highest level - 🙏 Très bon guide - 🙏 Such a gift! - 🙏 Life changing is no overestimation - 🙏 Worth the Investment - 🙏 Life-changing - 👍 Beginner friendly but highly informative! - 🙏 Grateful for this app - 👍 The best meditation guide - 🙏 I could cry at how much Sam Harris and this app has changed my life - 👍 Not your usual meditation app - 🙏 Amazing!! - 🙏 Thank you! This is not a meditation App. - 🙏 The most important piece of software available - 🙏 Best drug I've ever had - 🙏 A new chapter - 🙏 Highly recommend (for the benefit of all beings) - 🙏 Genuine!! - 🙏 Grateful for this app - 🙏 Enlighten yourself! - 🙏 Beautiful App - 🙏 Potentially life-changing - 🙏 Peace of mind - 🙏 DAY 23 - TEARS OF AWE & REVERENCE - 👍 Excellent app! - 🙏 Simply magnificent - 🙏 Really really good - 🙏 The Most Useful Option - 🙏 Actual improvement - 🙏 JOY IN THE MAKING, JUST DO IT. - 🙏 Profoundly good - my best meditation training ever. - 🙏 Something real out of this virtual - 👍 Well thought out and structured step by step course on meditation - 🙏 A tool to sharpen your mind - 👍 Real Meditation Instruction - 👍 Best and most useful app I have ever downloaded - 🙏 Enlighten yourself! - 👍 Beautiful App **Cons** - 💰 $200 Annually - 🐛 Suspicious space hog - 🐛 Having unexpected technical issues - 🤔 Shame on Sam **Commonly reported bugs** - Audio won't play unless screen is on and app is open - Unexpected data usage **Most requested features** - Weekly charts showing meditation progress - Housekeeping meditation - More conversations with women ## Recent user reviews (10 of 1,797) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/waking-up-meditation-and-wisdom/id1307736395/reviews.md ### 5/5 — life changer *2026-08-23, version 3.25* After a long time away from meditation I tried everything to get back. This app got me there. The depth it offers gives you something to get your teeth into. Hooked. I have no head. ### 3/5 — Payment required for first episode. *2026-08-22, version 3.25* I did not get to use the app. The very first episode cost money. I know there is a 7 day trial but I don’t want to sign up for something that I didn’t even get to listen to 1 episode. This is more of a feedback than a review. Make the first 2 episodes free. ### 5/5 — Enjoying practicing and sharing the Waking Up App *2026-08-22, version 3.25* I only tried the Waking Up App to see what my husband was doing every morning. I have what I call a spiritual practice, and felt a bit superior about it. I’ve been totally blown away by the immediate insights and sense of freedom I’ve been experiencing through this particular practice. It’s actually fun and I look forward to the daily meditations every morning. ### 5/5 — Great Customer Service! *2026-08-20, version 3.25* I had an issue with my account & billing and the customer service team fixed it right away! ### 1/5 — Playback constantly stalls *2026-08-18, version 3.25* The constant stalling of the playback is extremely frustrating and overshadows the other good qualities of the app ### 1/5 — Course ends after 30 days *2026-08-12, version 3.24.1* I subscribed to this app based on the introductory course that builds each lesson on the previous lessons. $150 for a year of what I thought was going to be lessons that would take me deeper into my meditation practice. 30 days later, after they have your money they cleverly change the format to a generic daily 10 minute meditation. There are free apps that offer the same thing. They also claim they will refund your money if you email support. I did so on July 19. It’s now July 30 and they are still “processing” the refund, which I’ve come to expect will not be sent. I’ll update this if they do refund my remaining 11 months but would never recommend this deceptive app to anyone. Edit: Refund finally received on August 6 ### 5/5 — Excellent app *2026-08-11, version 3.24.1* If your trying to learn or sharpen you mind this app. ### 5/5 — Review *2026-08-07, version 3.24.1* Calming and mindful and the same time. The tone is great. And I have applied the meditations in my life. ### 5/5 — Brilliant app *2026-08-05, version 3.24.1* Excellent content and very well executed application to support meditation at any level. ### 5/5 — Amazing Company *2026-08-01, version 3.24* I don’t usually make reviews, but I absolutely felt that the support that my daughter and I got when we needed to sort out an issue with the subscription was exceptional. Karl from the support team got back to us immediately everytime . He was kind sympathetic, understanding 100% patient. Nothing was too much trouble. His approach exemplified the ethics of this company.. I haven’t even mentioned yet how brilliant the app itself is! it’s so well planned and set out if you’re new to meditation it’s an absolute gift. I’m a long time meditator and I can’t believe how good it is. Don’t hesitate to sign up. ## Frequently asked questions about Waking Up ### What does the Waking Up app do? The Waking Up app provides a comprehensive approach to meditation and wisdom. It offers guided meditation sessions, an introductory course, daily reflections, and talks on various topics like neuroscience and philosophy. The app aims to help users achieve better sleep, more clarity, and a deeper understanding of their minds. ### What are the key features of Waking Up? Key features include a 28-day introductory course for all levels, daily guided meditations led by Sam Harris, short 'Moments' for quick reflections, daily quotes, and specific content for sleep. It also boasts a vast library of meditations, theory sessions, life courses, conversations, and a community forum. ### How much does Waking Up cost? The app is available for free with in-app purchases. While some content may be accessible for free, a subscription or in-app purchase is likely required to unlock the full range of features and content, including the extensive library and courses. ### What kind of meditation techniques does Waking Up offer? The app combines contemplative traditions with modern science, offering techniques such as mindfulness (Vipassana), Loving-Kindness, body scans, yoga nidra, and nondual awareness practices from traditions like Dzogchen, Zen, and Advaita Vedanta. ### Who is Waking Up created by and who are the teachers? Waking Up was created by neuroscientist and best-selling author Sam Harris. The app features content from leading voices in meditation, philosophy, and psychology, including Joseph Goldstein, Diana Winston, Alan Watts, Oliver Burkeman, and many others, covering a wide range of topics and expertise. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 3.25.1 — 2026-08-24 We’ve made some behind-the-scenes improvements to enhance your app experience. This update focuses on fixing bugs and optimizing performance, ensuring everything runs smoothly and reliably. No big changes to note this time—just refining the little details that make a big difference. ### 3.25 — 2026-08-13 Introducing your new Profile. Your activity and account details now have a home of their own. See your total practice minutes, your activity this week, and your top teachers and sections. We’ve also moved your History, Messages, profile details, and member stats into Profile, making everything easier to find in one place. ### 3.24.1 — 2026-08-03 We’ve made some behind-the-scenes improvements to enhance your app experience. This update focuses on fixing bugs and optimizing performance, ensuring everything runs smoothly and reliably. No big changes to note this time—just refining the little details that make a big difference. ### 3.24 — 2026-07-27 We’ve made some behind-the-scenes improvements to enhance your app experience. This update focuses on fixing bugs and optimizing performance, ensuring everything runs smoothly and reliably. No big changes to note this time—just refining the little details that make a big difference. ### 3.23 — 2026-07-13 Reflections is now called Daily Wisdom. New name, same feature: short, curated insights, handpicked from content across the app. Plus now you can filter what appears in your feed. Also, the app is now CarPlay compatible—listen to select Waking Up content while you drive. ## Apps similar to Waking Up | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Insight Timer: Meditate, Sleep](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/insight-timer-meditate-sleep/id337472899) | 4.9 (445,033) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Aura: Meditation & Sleep, CBT](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aura-meditation-and-sleep-cbt/id1114223104) | 4.7 (35,072) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Balance: Meditation & Sleep](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/balance-meditation-and-sleep/id1361356590) | 4.9 (120,262) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Slumber－Calm Stories for Sleep](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/slumbercalm-stories-for-sleep/id1109543953) | 4.7 (26,869) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Simple Habit Sleep, Meditation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-habit-sleep-meditation/id1093360165) | 4.8 (78,013) | Free | Health & Fitness | | [Meditation by Soothing Pod](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meditation-by-soothing-pod/id1508720931) | 4.8 (8,848) | Free | Health & Fitness | ## Related topics [wake up](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wake-up) · [waking up](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/waking-up) · [waking up sam harris](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/waking-up-sam-harris) · [the waking up app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/the-waking-up-app) · [wake up sam harris](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wake-up-sam-harris) · [morning meditation](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/morning-meditation) · [waking](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/waking) · [free meditation apps morning](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/free-meditation-apps-morning) · [five aggregates are empty](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/five-aggregates-are-empty) · [wake up app](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/wake-up-app) · [spiritual growth apps like awakened way](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/spiritual-growth-apps-like-awakened-way) · [kabalarian philosophy 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kabalarian-philosophy-2) · [anatoly sokolov](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/anatoly-sokolov) · [kwonsiwon](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/kwonsiwon) · [teachings of swami dayananda](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/teachings-of-swami-dayananda) · [imindambience](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/imindambience) · [miervidi](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/miervidi) · [pakotec](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pakotec) · [dharma bob](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/dharma-bob) · [buddhist meditation companion](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/buddhist-meditation-companion) --- *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 2026-08-26.*