# Dharma Seed vs Mindgem

The clearest difference is ads: Dharma Seed at none against Mindgem's shown. Dharma Seed also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported) and ratings volume (77 vs 24). Mindgem's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.4) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 11 months). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Mindgem holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 77 and 24 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Dharma Seed's written reviews are positive against 88% of Mindgem's.

Dharma Seed ships an update every 11 months, Mindgem every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and July 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dharma Seed | Mindgem |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (77 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dharma-seed/id507779665/reviews) | **[4.9 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mindgem/id1503349712/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **77** | 24 |
| Positive reviews | 85.3% of reviews | **87.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 20 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.1 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dharma Seed Tape Library, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/507779668) | [GEORGIA MEDITATION CIRCLE INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1503349711) |

## What reviewers say

### Dharma Seed

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dharma-seed/id507779665)

Access a vast library of dharma talks and guided meditations. Stream content, download for offline listening, and search by keyword or teacher. Support teachers through donations.

**Highlights:** Stream dharma talks and guided meditations, Download talks for offline playback, Search talks by keyword and teacher, Browse recent talks, View previously played talks, Support teachers via donations

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Vast library of talks
- 💎 Invaluable resource
- 🙏 Grateful for free content
- ✨ Wonderful app
- 💡 Easy to use interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐌 Clunky and antiquated interface
- 🤔 Lacking modern features
- 📉 No longer opens
- 🚫 App not loading
- 🪲 Faulty tech

**Reported bugs**

- Never completes install
- Stalls at 90%
- Unable to complete app download
- No longer opens on iPhone
- App isn't opening at all

**Requested features**

- Add a favorite/like button for talks
- Support for playlists
- Follow authors/teachers
- Transcripts
- Ability to download talks


### Mindgem

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mindgem/id1503349712)

Engage in guided meditation sessions led by experienced Buddhist monks. Connect with a supportive community focused on sharing wisdom and personal growth.

**Highlights:** Guided meditation sessions, Led by Buddhist monks, Community forum, Wisdom sharing, Personal growth focus

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dharma Seed free?

Dharma Seed is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Mindgem free?

Mindgem is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Dharma Seed or Mindgem?

Mindgem is rated higher. Dharma Seed averages 4.4 out of 5 from 77 ratings, while Mindgem averages 4.9 from 24 ratings.

### Do Dharma Seed or Mindgem have ads?

Mindgem shows ads; Dharma Seed does not.

### Which is updated more often, Dharma Seed or Mindgem?

Dharma Seed ships an update every 11 months, and Mindgem every 4 months. Most recently, Dharma Seed was updated on September 19, 2026 and Mindgem on July 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*