What users complain about in meditation apps

The complaints that repeat

Each heading sums up what reviewers wrote; the quotes under it are their own words.

1. 01

   Insight Timer clutters the core timer with unwanted social network feeds, videos, and commercial bloat

   Many users

   “Using the app is like logging into facebook, just to access the timer.”

   “They seem to be focused now on adding what to me are pointless social media features like the new mood tracker.”

2. 02

   Simple Meditation Timer fails to sound alerts or function when the screen locks or goes to sleep

   Several users

   “Set the timer and it will count down but it does not actually play any sound when the time is up.”

   “So this timer doesn’t work unless you keep the screen on. I accidentally meditated for 45 mins, lol.”

3. 03

   Deceptive subscription practices, refusal of immediate trial refunds, and aggressive paywalls in Headspace and Calm

   Several users

   “Instead Headspace adamantly denies refunds of any kind even when the request is sent THE SAME DAY of the charges.”

   “The app creates a perception that there is more content to it than it is actually the case.”

4. 04

   Insight Timer updates prevent users from rewinding, resetting, or restarting tracks from the beginning

   Several users

   “This recent update makes me extremely frustrated, I can't stop and reset a meditation once I start.”

   “My issue is that I can't restart audio at the beginning.”

5. 05

   Breethe drains device battery excessively during overnight sleep playback

   A few users

   “I had to recharge my phone in the middle of the night when i needed help getting back to sleep.”

What users ask for

• Ability to disable or customize the ending chime sounds

  Asked for a few times

  “The only feature request I have is the option to turn off the gongs at the end.”

• Ability to block, hide, or filter out specific tracks or teachers

  Asked for once or twice

  “Still no way to mark the tracks or teachers I don’t like.”

What these apps get right

What users praise, and would expect from anything new.

• Minimalist, zero-friction timer design with no accounts, ads, or upselling
• Short, structured daily modular sessions focused on practical mechanics rather than religion
• Trusted, warm instructor presence and relatable daily guidance

Apps we read

• Insight Timer - Meditation AppGoogle Play
• Serenity: Guided MeditationGoogle Play
• Headspace: Sleep & MeditationApp Store
• Insight Timer: Meditate, SleepApp Store
• CalmApp Store
• Guided Meditation - ZenForgeApp Store
• Breethe: Sleep & MeditationApp Store
• Mindfulness.com Meditation AppGoogle Play
• Pocket Meditation TimerApp Store
• Simple Meditation TimerApp Store

App names belong to their owners. Quotes are from public store reviews, and the summaries describe what those reviewers experienced; they are not claims we have verified.