Balance review

Balance takes the decision out of meditation. Each day it asks a few questions about your goals, mood and experience, then assembles a session from an audio library of thousands of files. Programs target stress, sleep, focus and mood, and the more you answer, the more the sessions adapt. Guides with coaching and neuroscience backgrounds lead the sessions, and on-demand Singles cover specific moments. It also experiments with formats, including vibration-based immersive meditations and an interactive Wind Down. It was chosen as Google Play's Best App of 2021. The downside of personalization is less control: if you want to pick a teacher or tradition, Insight Timer suits you better. The website offers a free trial but does not list prices, so our USD check is pending. For someone who wants the app to plan their practice, Balance is the easiest to follow.

Who it is for

People who want sessions tailored to their goals without browsing a library.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Daily check-in questions about your goals and experience
• Personalized program for stress, sleep, focus and mood
• Audio library with thousands of files
• On-demand Singles for specific moments
• Vibration-based immersive meditations and an interactive Wind Down

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No browsing needed: the app chooses the session
• Strength: Adapts as you share more over time
• Strength: Chosen as Google Play's Best App of 2021
• Weakness: Less control for people who want to pick teachers
• Weakness: Pricing is not published on the website we could load
• Weakness: Smaller brand and teacher roster than Calm or Headspace

Key facts

• Maker: The Mind Company, which also makes brain-training apps
• Award: Google Play Best App of 2021
• Trial: Try for free, per Balance

Where it ranks

Balance is No. 7 in our Best Meditation Apps verdict.