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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Headspace vs BetterSleep

Headspace 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Headspace
BetterSleep 4.7★ · Free + IAP 60

Headspace is the better choice for those seeking a comprehensive mental wellness app with guided meditations and therapy features, while BetterSleep is better for users primarily focused on customizable sleep sounds.

Full reviews: Headspace · BetterSleep

Headspace offers a broader range of mental wellness tools, including meditation, exercise, and AI-assisted therapy, though recent changes to its free tier and user interface have drawn criticism. BetterSleep excels in customizable sleep sounds and stories, but a recent shift to a heavily paywalled model has alienated many long-time free users.

Head to head

Features & Content Variety edge: HeadspaceR8R11R32R56
Headspace Headspace offers a wide array of content beyond just meditation, including exercise, sleep sounds, and even a virtual therapist (Ebb), which users find helpful for anxiety and depression R8R11R32R56. However, some long-term users feel the app has moved away from its core meditation focus, becoming cluttered with 'everything app' features R39.
BetterSleep BetterSleep is praised for its extensive library of sleep sounds, stories, and the ability to layer and customize sound mixes . Users appreciate the variety for improving sleep and managing anxiety . However, many lament that most of this content is now locked behind a paywall R63R70.
Ease of Use & User Interface tieR11R15R39R41
Headspace Headspace's app design is described as clean and appealing by some R11, but many recent reviews criticize its declining usability. Users report slow loading times R39R41, a confusing home page R15, and the removal of helpful features like the 'Wake-Up' on the home screen or a daily routine . The constant need to log in and issues with notifications are also noted .
BetterSleep BetterSleep allows users to layer sounds and create custom mixes, which is a highly valued feature . However, some users find the font tiny and the layout disorganized . There are also complaints about the app crashing frequently, especially on MacBooks or when other apps open .
Reliability & Performance tieR29R38R34R45
Headspace Headspace users report various technical issues, including the app not opening after updates R29R38, login failures R34R45, and slow performance R39R41. Some also note that the app requires an online connection even for downloaded content, making it awkward to use offline .
BetterSleep BetterSleep also faces reliability concerns, with users experiencing frequent app crashes , issues with the timer function , and the app opening on its own . Some users also report that their saved mixes are deleted or reset .
Price & Value tieR10R13R18R19
Headspace Headspace is widely criticized for its aggressive paywall, with many users stating that almost all content, including basic breathing exercises, now requires a subscription R10R13R18R19. Long-time users recall a time when much of the app was free and more functional R10R25. The subscription is noted as around $5 a month R10.
BetterSleep BetterSleep has seen a significant shift to a paywall model, with numerous users expressing disappointment that sounds and features that were once free are now premium R63R67R70. Some long-time users who purchased lifetime access feel misled as their content is now locked R103. The annual subscription is mentioned as $70 .
Customer Support edge: HeadspaceR14R16R26R103
Headspace Headspace's customer service receives negative feedback, with users reporting unhelpful responses, being directed to AI R16, and difficulties with refunds R14R26.
BetterSleep There is limited direct feedback on BetterSleep's customer support, though one user mentioned being told they only bought a one-year subscription despite believing they had lifetime access R103.
Pick Headspace if

Pick Headspace if you are looking for a broad mental wellness app that includes guided meditations, exercise, and virtual therapy features, and are willing to pay for a subscription to access the full range of content R8R11R32R56. It is also suitable if you are a beginner to meditation and want a structured approach .

Pick BetterSleep if

Pick BetterSleep if your primary need is customizable sleep sounds and stories to help with sleep and anxiety, and you are willing to pay for a subscription to access the extensive library of mixing options .

Evidence note: Both apps have a strong free-vs-paid asymmetry, with many negative reviews for both Headspace and BetterSleep stemming from users' frustration with content being moved behind a paywall after previously being free. This suggests that while the apps offer valuable paid content, the shift in pricing model has significantly impacted user perception, especially among long-term users.

Frequently asked

Is Headspace free?
Headspace offers a free tier, but many users report that most content, including basic breathing exercises and meditations, is now locked behind a paywall, making the free version very limited R10R18R19R25.
Does BetterSleep have a free version?
BetterSleep has a free version, but numerous users state that almost all sounds and features, including those previously available for free, are now behind a paywall, making the free options very limited R63R67R70R73.
What happened to Andy Puddicombe in Headspace?
Andy Puddicombe, the co-founder and original voice of Headspace, left the app, which has disappointed many long-time users who found his voice calming and preferred his guided meditations R2R22R55.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R8] Headspace 5/5 · US Incredible: This app has been so amazing and helpful to me. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for years, and this app has been amazing to help me calm down when I’m spiraling. Ebb (virtual therapist) has helped me more than my therapist has in a long time. I am able to talk things through when I am in a spot where I can’t grasp what is going on. The fact that this is available to me at
  2. [R11] Headspace 4/5 · US Comprehensive and useful: There are a lot of different things to take use, meditation, exercise, sleep sounds. These are great. I also find the clean design appealing. It takes a bit of searching to find the voice that works for me. Some age variety among the coaches would be an improvement to include people over 40. Aside from that I I much prefer this to other similar apps.
  3. [R32] Headspace 5/5 · US Best app!: This app has been a huge help in managing my anxiety and stress. There’s so much amazing content for all kinds of situations. The exercises, yoga sessions and guided content have made a difference for me. I’m so grateful I found this app 4 years ago. Thank you for creating something so helpful and supportive.
  4. [R56] Headspace 4/5 · US Using meditation to reduce stress and anxiety: i’ve been using Headspace for meditation sleep. i’ve been use this app for about a month and now and it helps you have a good variety of meditations and breathing exercise exercises. They also give you CBT therapy that you can listen to they give you sessions to do every day what i found interesting is how the app connects to psychological concepts th
  5. [R15] Headspace 3/5 · US Love the content-Hate the App: I've had the app through two "upgrades". The content is wonderful, but the app's organization has now gotten so bad succeeding changes that if it gets any worse, I will drop it.
  6. [R39] Headspace 3/5 · US Good meditation but the app is SO SLOW.: The app takes too long to load, to the point it's unacceptable in 2026. There are so many meditations and categories it's tough to chose or understand. Most meditations have no real depth. It feels like this app is going out of scope a bit from what it set out to do initially. There's an AI but it just repeats what you tell it, and then suggests a med
  7. [R41] Headspace 4/5 · US Great for meditation, bad for usability: I get real value from Headspace’s meditations, they’ve helped me build a consistent practice and manage stress effectively. That said, the app’s usability holds it back from being an enjoyable and user-friendly experience. On my iPhone 15 Pro, the initial load into the "Today" tab takes nearly 25 seconds, and switching to "Explore" or "Settings" adds another
  8. [R29] Headspace 5/5 · US Love this app - 8.14.2 not working ☹️: This app has helped me manage with stress and anxiety. Unfortunately the latest update 8.14.2 does not work. It loads a dark blue screen that never goes away. Bummer. 😖
  9. [R38] Headspace 5/5 · US Shiny & New doesn’t open: The new version seems self-recursive. I upgraded, and opening it say Try the Shiny & New again, over and over. No meditation tonight, which breaks my streak.
  10. [R34] Headspace 1/5 · US Can’t even log in: Tried direct SSO and two different platforms including Google and Facebook and keep getting a “failure to authenticate” error even after allowing me to reset my password. Tried both the application and website - both give the same errors. App making you more stressed is not helpful and no accessible link to go to contact or help signing in so here it is in a review - cannot even
  11. [R45] Headspace 3/5 · US Failed authentication: This is a very good app however, it keeps kicking me out and forcing me to log back in. When I use my login it says authentication failed try again. I have tried numerous times. I paid for this app and my subscription does not end until September. This needs to be fixed immediately.
  12. [R10] Headspace 1/5 · US Money grabber: I downloaded this app because I loved their content on Netflix for sleeping, turns out you have to pay for practically every single thing. It’s only $5 a month, not bad, but unnecessary. They post on YouTube for free. Making others pay for this app is absurd when I can easily find your content elsewhere. According to others, this app used to be fully functional and FREE. Why change
  13. [R13] Headspace 2/5 · US New Version Sucks: App was amazing, genuinely amazing. Then they updated it and you have to pay for literally everything… no thank you, especially not the amount they’re asking. Just go on YouTube and search what you want to watch from creators similar; for free.
  14. [R18] Headspace 3/5 · US Free Trial Doesn’t Have Much Content: Seems like it would be a great app but when I sign up for a free trial, it’s supposed to be designed to make me want to buy into the app. It’s impossible for me to want to do that when everything good seems to be locked. Only a few 3 minute breath work videos available from what I have seen.
  15. [R19] Headspace 1/5 · US WHAT THE HELL!?!: Bro, Istg this app actually sucks. You need to freaking pay for everything!?! You can't even do breathing exercises! EVERYTHING COSTS MONEY. If you want a real app that helps you with self care, I suggest using Finch. In Headspace, you can't even do anything! This really pisses me off. Headspace needs to fix this.
  16. [R14] Headspace 4/5 · US Dissatisfied: Don’t bother. app doesn’t create calm and their customer service creates the opposite of calm.
  17. [R16] Headspace 2/5 · US No AI please: I decided not to subscribe due to my customer service ticket being directed to AI.
  18. [R26] Headspace 4/5 · US Won’t issue refund (Update: refund issues): Unfortunately I have to leave this review after requesting a refund and being told that it is not possible, for no reason other than it sucks to suck. I mean that’s basically what they told me, that they just can’t offer it to me because that’s their policy! Even though I will never use the app and just forgot to cancel the recurring charge! Thank you he
  19. [R103] BetterSleep 1/5 · US Incredibly Disappointed: If I could give this less stars I would! I've had this app for probably as long as it’s been available. I purchased lifetime access to the entire library and now I’m being lied to by the developers saying that I only bought access to a one year subscription (which is not the case) just so they can sell us a subscription model at a much higher price! I will be deleting thi
  20. [R25] Headspace 1/5 · US not worth it: I used this app for years. took a long break from it and redownloaded it recently only to find absolutely everything has ben blocked off with a subscription. the app is completely useless now. It was nice a great tool I used in my daily life for anxiety and insomnia. Now it’s become a subscription only app. extremely disappointing.
  21. [R63] BetterSleep 3/5 · US Goodish: Good in all but I have to pay to get more sounds and to listen to what happened last night. Good music…. That I can listen to but bad that I have to pay for 90% of things
  22. [R67] BetterSleep 2/5 · US A little disappointed: I’ve had this app in the past and loved it but when I recently redownloaded it I was very disappointed. All of the sounds cost money. There was only about 10 free options.
  23. [R70] BetterSleep 2/5 · US Pay wall: I used to love this app so much. It helped me many times when I traveled. Now you have to pay for pretty much every sound. It ruins the entire app to me and I’ll be looking for something different.
  24. [R73] BetterSleep 1/5 · US Horrible everything is a buy nothing free: Used to be able to at least listen to the free stuff. Now everything is a purchase. Horrible
  25. [R2] Headspace 5/5 · US No Andy: I’d used the app for years. Recently I noticed that it was harder to find the meditations led by Andy. Then I found out that he had left. He was my favorite and had the most calming voice. I couldn’t get comfortable with anyone else. The leads either had voices that were creepy or had a serious vocal fry. I recently left the app.
  26. [R22] Headspace 1/5 · US RIP Headspace: A big corporation bought Headspace and messed it up. Andy, the monk who founded it left and now it’s run by some jerk from DoorDash. The app used to be a good meditation app for beginners around 2018 and before, but it’s now full of woke ideology and coercive scam marking for therapy. It’s now a cruddy mental health app instead of a quality meditation app. The shiny animation exteri
  27. [R55] Headspace 2/5 · US 10-year review: i’ve had headspace for over a decade. for the first 3-4 years, I loved it. this app’s approach toward meditation and wellness has noticeably shifted since its inception though. When I started, it was Andy Puddicombe doing all of the meditations, translating what he learned as a monk into meditations everyday people could use and understand. he made those meditations accessible. I a

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store