Last year I reviewed the biggest meditation apps. We found that Insight Timer was best for
most people, whilst Waking Up was best for those wanting deep practice. There were a lot of apps
I didn't cover and everyone wants to know about Balance. So what's the best alternative meditation
app? Let's find out. Present. My reasons for meditating are limited to having something wrong
with me. And it feels presumptuous that I want a reminder. And then, in the meditations these
big ideas are oversimplified. The presentation is limited too. There's only one path of progression.
In the end Present feels like having a rude friend who thinks they know what's best for you and then
their teaching methods and, consequently teachings are out of touch. I selected that I have advanced
meditation experience and now I'm stuck doing a 10 lesson, basic meditation course. And every
other meditation except for one is locked. The meditations - sorry; 'the meditation,' is fine,
but evidently there is an extremely small content library. Sixty dollars is probably a fair cost
for what's there but, then there's just not enough content to download and justify this
purchase in the first place. A lot of people are calling this app a scam and that may be the only
way to explain this amount of ratings on such a forgettable app. Uninstalled. Balance. At the
time making this video, you can get your first year free. This alone makes Balance stand out
from all the expensive subscriptions, one week trials and, automatic charges if you forget to
"cancel any time;" that are standard amongst other apps like Calm and Headspace. Meditation
has the ability to radically transform your entire life but, sometimes it's reduced to some
kind of productivity hack. When I'm selecting my reason for meditating I choose 'mood,' and
I'm relieved that this is an option. Mood is a good word. It's open and it could mean more than
just happiness. I'll take it. The problem with gamification and meditation apps is that often
you end up performing something that barely resembles meditation, in order to justify
playing an equally compromised mobile phone game. Thankfully with Balance it's less contrived. You
practice meditation and then you're rewarded by the simple visualization of your skills "leveling
up." If you're encouraged to practice so that you can reach "Level 6 Self Direction," it's
obvious to me how that could be a good thing. A good teacher makes you less reliant on them
over time. I don't get a sense that Balance has a problem with you using the app for the year and
then moving on independently. A simplistic and no frills progress tracker enables you to see
your commitment and dedication without making your progress about the arbitrary attainment of lots of
"time," trained. Balance adapts as you interact with the app and it's not like the introductory
survey simply equates to ranking the meditation library, in fact the style of presentation
actually adapts. For instance a beginner will get more instructions than someone who has more
experience. Also although you receive a suggestion for what to practice and for how long to practice,
depending on what you've filled out; you can for example change the length of the meditation right
before starting. This makes the app much more effective at meeting your actual, present and
ever-changing needs. I also like the personalized daily meditation page. Mine was very achievable,
changed throughout the day and nicely balanced. I was motivated to meditate and the picks easily
fit into my day, throughout my day; which is how meditation can really start to transform
one's entire life. Meditation certainly comes from the opposite world to apps. But Balance is really
using the form to create something new, that works and, makes sense. In a style that meditation
hasn't been revealed through before. Balance defied my expectations. Balance is actually
quite good. I will be keeping this app installed. Because I want to see what it's like using this
app for longer. Especially for the free year. I'm not convinced this is an essential meditation
app like Insight Timer you want to have for the meditation timer and, Waking Up you need to have
for the discussions on meditation. If they're were ever an app to get good at meditating;
not to dabble, not to get into the esoteric, it's probably this one. I think you have to try it for
yourself. 10% Happier. This app immediately stands out because unlike the other apps in this review
it's obvious that it's still being worked on and that it's active. Whilst I was trialing the app
there was the Dalai Lama's Guide to Happiness, 10-day meditation challenge Event. There's a lot
on here and for all types of meditators, with all the different reasons for coming to meditation.
And all the content is current and curated intuitively. The app costs 165 dollars but,
of all the apps with payment barriers it's probably the best one. Personally I'm not
that taken by 10% Happier though. "Beginners I think there are two big benefits the first is
focus." The creator Dan Harris is a journalist and whilst he's good at spreading and revealing ideas;
his personal meditation qualifications don't technically exist. Of course, there are great
teachers on the app that he interviews. But, I don't get the sense that this app is the best form
for meditation to be able to decisively uproot your life and transform it in all the fantastic
and radical ways that it can. I want this app to be more powerful and impressive and; I feel
like it could be if the person behind it all (Dan Harris,) was more of an advanced meditator. If you
come out of the same world as Dan, if you're corporate or, a person who wants a moderate
exposure to meditation that you can easily fit in and balance amongst your ongoing life; then sure
this is probably a great app for you. In fact, it may be a more accessible option for you to pay for
and download this app to use whilst you commute, then to look up and get to in-person trainings or,
read books; which are other great ideas and my usual first suggestions. It seems possible! For
me, it will be uninstalled. Bloom. It's definitely feminine and I like it. $95 and that might be a
fair price. yYou get a lot of different stuff with this app. It's like a Nintendo game with
info being shared through these speech pop-ups and of course the floating Gossifleur. The
floating flower blooms the more you practice and it's a cute metaphorical way to show progress.
It's very fun and novel. I like it and I find it encouraging. It feels like if you like the idea of
going to get a massage you might really appreciate this app. If you're a little hedonistic, if you
like the superficial elements of spirituality; you might welcome this app as a happy addition to your
life. With a travel tab in the mix it does seem like this app is trying to be an all-in-one stop.
But, I start thinking that they're probably just better ways of going about everything that you see
on this app. Like if you're the sort of person who enjoys these pictures, you're probably not
the sort of person who wants to be experiencing this kind of spirituality through a phone. You
actually want to be there. And so I can't really imagine the target audience for this app being
motivated to use this app, for a lot of meditation practice. The target user of this app might prefer
to use their money, to get them doing all these fun spiritual things they see on the app in the
physical rather than, virtual world. I want to play the coloring game for longer. I know that
I can meditate on here but, I'm not confident that I can build a meditation practice out of this app.
There's nothing deep on here. I almost could have kept this app installed but, it's not worth my
money because I have more effective ways of going about everything that's on offer here. Maybe you
could use it as a supplement if it's your sort of thing? You might leave it installed. I'll
be uninstalling it. What's my final assessment? Uh - No. Look, I think you can do a lot better.
Uninstalled. I want more for you. Bloom isn't a part of the worst problems in the world but,
you still don't need Bloom. You need to meditate on impermanence and, then you will find more
compelling ways to spend your time than being lost in the allure of this app. Simple Habit.
With three prompts they really want you to turn notifications on. The writing style is
very self-interested and unaware of the user. In fact, after only having just opened the app I get
a sense this app cares most about the app and, least about the user. $165. It's essentially just
a library of meditations organized under different headings and that's about all there is to review
here. Simple Habit doesn't have any particular flare and warrants no special comments. Oh, yes!
It did have a particularly entertaining appearance on Shark Tank. But, for me that's as good as it
gets with Simple Habit. This app just doesn't do a lot, in a very boring and predictable way. To
justify spending money on this and to actually help people meditate it should have something
going on. But, there's nothing profound about this app. Uninstalled. On this one I'm going to
have to be out. Oak. I was really excited to try Oak because it's aesthetic, cohesive and simple.
This app clearly has its own style and charm and it's these sorts of products that make me feel
like I'm a part of something really special. And because this app is free, until further
notice... It's very safe for you to try it out for yourself. In fact, if you have no ideas about
what you're looking for you might as well start here. The meditations are linear and customizable
in all the ways that matter. You can pick the duration, the vocal quality, background noise and,
if you want a lead in time. As you meditate more you unlock badges, which mean nothing but, they're
subtle and grand enough in their art style; that for what it's worth, which is nothing, I think
they feel prestigious. And I feel encouraged to honestly earn the discovery of what the 'Infinite
badge,' looks like and, what comes after it. Oak is satisfyingly straightforward. In fact,
you could use it to replace Insight Timer in favor of simplification. However! And it is unfortunate;
that this app by all intents and purposes is dead y'all. It hasn't been updated for two years. And
the courses section, which you can still get for free, just has the same one from two years ago.
So you know my suspicion is that whilst there's no harm in trying out this app; it will probably end
up uninstalled. The inactivity and unbalanced underdevelopment of this app agitates all my
anxieties Oak was starting to soothe. There it is folks we've now, nearly explored all
of your meditation app options. And I'm happy that we've made some new discoveries. You can
watch my previous review for my thoughts on the most popular meditation apps. It's still Insight
Timer for most casual meditators. But, maybe Balance if you like routine and want to feel
a part of something more guided. Waking Up for going deep. Remember you also don't need an app.
There are endless hours of talks by the greatest yogis on the other side of the Google search
bar. Meditation classes are available in many local communities. There are countless amounts
of books. Respected meditation institutions online and in the real world. Let me know what
your experience has been in the comments below and feel free to like and subscribe to support
the channel. My best wishes for you and, may we all come to know such wonderful ways of being.