// MEDITATION APPS
Ten Percent Happier vs Headspace: Complete Meditation App Comparison Guide
Choosing between Ten Percent Happier and Headspace can be challenging, as both apps represent different philosophies in the meditation space. Ten Percent Happier, founded by ABC news anchor Dan Harris, takes a refreshingly skeptical approach to mindfulness, targeting people who might roll their eyes at traditional meditation language. With expert teachers like Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg, it offers over 500 guided meditations focused on practical, evidence-based techniques. Headspace, on the other hand, has built its reputation as the gold standard for meditation beginners. With its signature colorful animations and approachable design, Headspace has attracted over 4 million subscribers worldwide. The app excels at making meditation accessible through structured courses, quick SOS sessions for stress relief, and celebrity-narrated sleep stories featuring voices like Matthew McConaughey and Harry Styles. Both apps target stress reduction and mental wellness, but they take distinctly different approaches to achieving these goals.
Ten Percent Happier
$99
Headspace
$69
[FEATURE COMPARISON]
| Feature | Ten Percent Happier | Headspace |
|---|---|---|
|
Content Library Size Total number of meditation sessions and courses available |
500+ guided meditations and courses | 1,200+ guided meditations and programs |
|
Target Audience Primary user demographic and experience level |
Skeptics and intermediate practitioners | Complete beginners and visual learners |
|
Teaching Approach Style and methodology of meditation instruction |
Evidence-based, practical Buddhism teachings | Structured courses with animated explanations |
|
Sleep Content Availability and quality of sleep-focused features |
Limited sleep-specific content | Extensive sleep library with celebrity narrators |
|
Personalization Features How well the app adapts to individual user needs |
Coaching support and teacher-led guidance | Daily mood check-ins and AI companion (Ebb) |
|
Session Length Options Range of meditation duration choices available |
5-30 minute sessions | 3 minutes to 2 hours (5-120 minute timers) |
|
Free Trial Period Length of time users can test premium features |
7-day free trial | 7-day free trial |
|
Special Features Unique tools and capabilities that differentiate the app |
Personal coaching and Weekly Wisdom content | SOS meditations and themed collections |
[PROS & CONS]
Ten Percent Happier
Pros
- Expert teachers including Joseph Goldstein and Sharon Salzberg
- Evidence-based approach appeals to skeptics
- Personal coaching support included
- Weekly Wisdom provides educational meditation content
- Strong focus on practical Buddhism teachings
Cons
- Higher price point at $99 annually
- Limited sleep-specific content
- Smaller content library compared to competitors
Headspace
Pros
- Beginner-friendly with excellent onboarding
- Extensive 1,200+ meditation library
- Celebrity-narrated sleep stories and comprehensive sleep content
- SOS meditations for acute stress relief
- Lower annual cost at $69.99
- AI companion Ebb for personalized guidance
Cons
- May feel too simplistic for advanced practitioners
- Limited free content without subscription
- Less emphasis on traditional meditation philosophy
[OUR VERDICT]
Headspace wins for beginners and sleep-focused users with better content variety and lower pricing, while Ten Percent Happier excels for skeptics wanting expert-led, evidence-based meditation.
The choice between Ten Percent Happier and Headspace ultimately depends on your meditation experience and learning preferences. Headspace emerges as the clear winner for absolute beginners, offering a more comprehensive onboarding experience with its structured 28-day courses, visual animations, and gentle guidance. The app's 1,200+ session library significantly outpaces Ten Percent Happier's 500+ offerings, providing more variety for long-term engagement.
Headspace also excels in areas that matter for habit formation. Its mood check-in system and AI companion Ebb create a more personalized experience, while the extensive sleep content addresses a crucial wellness need that Ten Percent Happier largely overlooks. The SOS meditations are particularly valuable for managing acute stress situations that busy professionals frequently encounter.
However, Ten Percent Happier offers superior value for intermediate practitioners and skeptics who want depth over breadth. At $99 annually versus Headspace's $69.99, it costs more but provides access to world-class teachers and evidence-based content that goes beyond basic mindfulness. The personal coaching feature and Weekly Wisdom content add educational value that justifies the higher price point for serious practitioners.
For most BodyOS users focused on stress management and sleep optimization, Headspace provides better overall value. Its beginner-friendly approach, extensive sleep library, and lower price point make it the more practical choice for building sustainable meditation habits. Ten Percent Happier is better suited for users who already have meditation experience and want to deepen their practice with expert guidance.
Our pick:
Headspace
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