Headspace alternatives: 5 apps worth trying
By the MOJO team · Updated · 3 min read
The short answer
The best Headspace alternative depends on why you're switching. If you want to understand what affects your mood rather than meditate, try MOJO's 30-second voice check-ins. For relaxation and sleep, Calm. For a huge free library, Insight Timer or Medito. For free, research-informed training, the Healthy Minds Program.
What Headspace does well
Headspace is one of the best-known meditation apps for good reason: it makes mindfulness approachable, with guided sessions, structured courses, sleep content and focus music. If guided meditation works for you, it's a strong choice.
Why people look for alternatives
- Meditation doesn't stick for them, and they want something quicker.
- They want to understand why some days feel worse, not just calm down.
- They'd like a free option.
- They mainly want help with sleep.
Our picks
Disclosure: we make MOJO, so it's listed first. Every other app here is one we'd genuinely suggest for the use case, and we've kept descriptions to what each app is known for.
Headspace is a trademark of its owner. MOJO isn't affiliated with or endorsed by Headspace; we mention it only to help you compare.
1. MOJOBest for: Understanding your mood instead of meditating
A 30-second voice check-in becomes a journal entry with your mood, sleep and activity logged, plus a daily energy score and the patterns behind it. Launching on iOS and Android on 1 December 2026.
2. CalmBest for: Relaxation and sleep
Known for Sleep Stories, calming music, breathing exercises and guided meditations.
3. Insight TimerBest for: A huge free meditation library
A very large collection of guided meditations and talks from many teachers, with a lot available for free.
4. MeditoBest for: Free meditation from a nonprofit
A meditation app run by a nonprofit, with guided sessions and courses offered for free.
5. Healthy Minds ProgramBest for: Free, research-informed training
A free app from a nonprofit linked to university research, with meditation and lessons on awareness, connection and purpose.
How MOJO compares to Headspace
They do different jobs. Headspace helps you calm your mind through guided practice. MOJO helps you understand your days: you say how your day went in about 30 seconds, and MOJO logs your mood, sleep and activity and shows patterns, like brighter days after more sleep or calmer evenings after a walk.
Many people use both: a meditation app for the moment, and MOJO to see what makes the moments less frequent.
More comparisons
Prefer a full round-up? See our guides to the best mood tracker apps and the best apps for stress and anxiety.
Apps help, but they're not treatment
Wellness apps are good at building habits and helping you notice patterns. They don't diagnose or treat anything. If low mood, anxiety or exhaustion last for weeks or make it hard to function, talk to a doctor or mental health professional. If you're in crisis, contact your local emergency number or a crisis line such as 988 in the US or Samaritans on 116 123 in the UK.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good free alternative to Headspace?
Insight Timer has a large free library, and Medito and the Healthy Minds Program are free apps from nonprofits. MOJO is free to start if you'd rather track your mood than meditate.
Is Calm or Headspace better?
Both are strong. Headspace is known for beginner-friendly courses; Calm is known for sleep content like Sleep Stories. Try the free trials and see which you return to.
Is there an app like Headspace that tracks mood?
MOJO focuses on mood, sleep and activity tracking through quick voice check-ins, and shows which habits lift your energy. It complements a meditation app rather than replacing guided practice.
This guide is general wellbeing information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your mental health, talk to a doctor or mental health professional.