Waking Up Review (2026)
Sam Harris's app — the most intellectually serious meditation option.
9.2 / 10
Waking Up is the meditation app for people who specifically don’t want a meditation app. The content is rigorous. The hardship policy is real. It’s our #1 in meditation rankings because the underlying material rewards repeated listening more than any competitor.
The good and the bad
What we love
- Deep, secular content
- Hardship policy genuinely available
- Strong philosophical conversations
What we don't
- Less variety than Calm or Headspace
- Steeper conceptual onramp
Pricing & plans
Annual
$99/year
Full app — meditations, courses, conversations
Hardship
Pay what you can
Same as Annual — financial hardship policy
Recommendations
Use Waking Up if you…
- Want serious content, not soothing voices
Skip Waking Up if you…
- Want sleep stories or light wellness content
Best alternatives to Waking Up
Frequently asked questions
Is Waking Up worth $99/year?
For users serious about the practice — yes. The hardship policy means cost shouldn't be a barrier.