Wellbeing Apps 101: Exploring the Top Picks for a Healthier Lifestyle
In today’s digital age, it’s no surprise that an increasing number of individuals are seeking suitable physical and mental health apps to support their wellbeing. These apps have become a valuable resource for anyone seeking to manage stress, reduce anxiety, improve low mood, boost self-esteem or build resilience.
Wellbeing apps offer a wide range of pocket solutions such as meditation, fitness tracking, journaling, gratitude, breathing exercises, managing distractions or online therapy. However, with the wide range of options available, finding the perfect app that aligns with individual needs can be a challenging task. Each person’s mental health journey is unique, and what works for one individual may not necessarily resonate with another.
That’s why we’ve curated a selection of the best wellbeing apps on the market, each offering distinct features and approaches to address various mental health and wellbeing concerns. By examining their unique functionalities, pricing, user reviews, and pros and cons, we aim to provide you with valuable insights to help you find the best mental health apps that suit your needs and preferences.
As we explore these mental health apps, it’s essential to remember that personal preferences, therapeutic needs, and comfort levels play a significant role in determining which app may be the most suitable fit.
Let’s dive in and discover the best wellbeing apps that complement your lifestyle and mental health and lead you towards a healthier, happier you!
Table of Contents
Best Meditation and Mindfulness Apps
Calm – designed to help you find peace and tranquillity in everyday life
If you find yourself constantly battling stress and struggling with sleep, Calm is the perfect mental health app for you. With its guided meditations, breathing exercises, and sleep stories, Calm can help you unwind, manage stress, and promote relaxation.
With a wide range of mindfulness topics, from deep sleep to mindful walking, this app offers something for everyone. It is one of the best mental health and wellbeing apps available in the market, which has been awarded as the app of the year by Apple in 2017 and 2018.1
Importantly, scientific evidence sheds light on the effectiveness of this meditation app. A meta-analysis conducted among 7566 participants, showed that practising meditations with Calm was associated with less perceived stress, anxiety, depression and greater psychological wellbeing.2
Key aspects:
- Free trial: 7-day trial.
- Pricing: Calm Premium, is a paid subscription which costs $69.99 a year or $14.99 a month.
- App rating: 4.8-star rating from 1,626,926+ reviews in the Apple App Store and 4.5 from 535,258+ reviews in the Play Store.
Pros:
- Wide range of daily meditations, mindfulness sessions and breathing techniques.
- Bedtime stories and relaxing music that will help you to fall asleep.
- It offers basic statistics that help to track your own progress, such as performed meditation sessions, time spent meditating and days used.
Cons:
- Although it offers some free resources, some premium features require in-app purchases.
- Calm’s meditations are pre-recorded and may not cater to individual needs and preferences as effectively as personalised instruction.
- Some users may find that the content in Calm becomes repetitive over time, which may lead to a loss of interest and engagement.
Headspace – practice meditation in just a few minutes
Headspace is considered one of the best meditation apps on the market. It is designed to reduce stress, improve focus, and boost overall wellbeing.
It offers a variety of guided meditations, sleep sounds, and mindfulness exercises. From beginners to seasoned practitioners, this app caters to all with its themed meditation courses and animated videos that make the journey to mindfulness enjoyable and rewarding.
Research highlights the positive effects of using the Headspace app.
A study conducted among 238 employees from Google and Roche in the UK,3 showed that participants who practised one hour of mindfulness meditation with Headspace during 8 weeks, reported significant improvement in wellbeing, distress, job strain, perceptions of workplace social support and showed better blood pressure in comparison to the control group .4
Interestingly, all of these positive effects lasted after 16 weeks. Another study found that using Headspace during a period of 10-30 days improved mental resilience and life satisfaction.5
Key aspects:
- Free trial: 14-day trial.
- Pricing: An annual subscription is $69.99.
- App rating: 4.8 based on 931,155 reviews in the Apple Store and 4.5-star rating based on 296,812 votes in the Play Store.
Pros:
- Beginner-friendly approach to meditation and mindfulness.
- Offers a variety of themed meditation courses.
- Provides animated videos and interactive tools.
Cons:
- There are in-app purchases for additional features, which may not be affordable for everyone.
- Headspace primarily relies on audio sessions, which may not be as effective for some individuals who prefer visual or written content for meditation and mindfulness practices.
- It provides pre-recorded meditations, which might not be tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Best Fitness and Activity Motivation Apps
Sweatcoin – get rewarded for staying active
If you’re looking for an incentive to get moving in your everyday life, free wellbeing apps like Sweatcoin have got you covered. Ranked as the most downloaded app in 2022.7
Key aspects:
- Pricing: Free to download
- App rating: 4.6 from 329,487 reviews in the Apple Store and 4.3 from 1,900,579 reviews in the Play Store.
Pros:
- Motivates users to stay active by rewarding them with virtual currency.
- Provides an incentive for outdoor activities and exercise.
- Allows users to redeem virtual currency for various rewards.
Cons:
- The conversion rate for earning real rewards can be low.
- The accuracy of step tracking can vary, leading to potential discrepancies.
- May not appeal to individuals who prefer indoor workouts or have limited mobility.
Peleton – Fitness at your fingertips
For those seeking a comprehensive fitness solution, Peloton delivers thousands of fitness classes right to your home.
From cycling and strength training to yoga and meditation, Peloton offers a variety of workout types to suit your preferences. With live classes and a supportive community, this app may encourage you to stay motivated to train and crush your fitness goals.
Schneider et al., (2023) found that using Peloton was a strong predictor of exercise frequency.8 Furthermore, around 83% of users reported being highly satisfied with their Peloton purchase.9
Key aspects:
- Free trial: 30-day trial.
- Pricing: Monthly subscription is $12.99.
- App rating: 4.9 from 720,084 reviews in the Apple Store and 4.2 from 11,998 votes in the Play Store.
Pros:
- Provides a comprehensive platform for home workouts and fitness classes.
- Offers a variety of workout types, including cycling, strength training or yoga.
- Access to live classes and a supportive community for motivation.
Cons:
- Requires specialised equipment for certain workouts.
- Higher cost compared to other fitness apps or free resources available in YouTube or social media.
- Some users may prefer in-person workouts.
Best Digital Health And Balance Apps
Digital Wellbeing – striking a balance with technology
In a world dominated by screens, Digital Wellbeing comes to the rescue. This app, proposed by Google, helps you manage your digital life by providing insights into your phone usage habits.
From tracking app timings to notifications and screen unlocks, Digital Wellbeing encourages a healthier relationship with technology, allowing you to be more mindful of your digital habits and manage everyday life.
A qualitative study which analysed customer reviews revealed that customers reported greater awareness and behavioural change on their digital habits after using Digital Wellbeing.10
Key aspects:
- Pricing: Free
- App rating: 3.8 of 833,633 votes on Google Play Store.
Pros:
- Provides insights and data on your phone usage habits.
- Offers app features to set limits on digital usage and notifications.
- Promotes a healthier relationship with technology and encourages awareness.
Cons:
- Limited to Android devices and certain versions of the operating system.
- Some features may not be available on all devices.
- May require manual configuration and monitoring.
My FitnessPal – your personal fitness journal
For those who like tracking progress and maintaining a healthy diet despite a busy schedule, MyFitnessPal is the perfect companion.
This popular app helps you track your food intake and exercise routines, allowing you to set fitness goals and monitor your progress over time.
With a database of over 11 million foods, logging meals and snacks becomes a breeze. Additionally, the app fosters a community where users can connect and support one another on their fitness journey.
Interestingly, a large-scale study conducted among 1.4 million users found that behaviour shown within the first 7 days subsequently predicts the achievement of fitness goals.11
Important information: Although this app is a popular app in the realm of health apps, this app is NOT recommended for people who are experiencing eating disorders, since it may encourage the obsession of counting calories and limiting food intake.
A study conducted among 105 participants who were experiencing eating disorders found that 75% of participants used MyFitnessPal, from which 73% perceived the app as contributing to their eating disorder, which in turn was associated with eating disorder symptoms.12
Key aspects:
- Free trial: 1 month (premium account)
- Pricing: Free basic account or $9.99 per month for a premium account
- App rating: 4.7 rating from 1,638,806 reviews in the Apple Store and 4.1 rating 2,609,312 votes in the Play Store.
Pros:
- Comprehensive food tracking with an extensive database, enables users to track their calorie intake and macronutrients effectively.
- Goal setting and progress tracking features provide motivation and help users stay on track with their health and fitness goals.
- Offers community and social features where users can connect, share tips, and provide support.
Cons:
- User-generated database entries may contain inaccuracies, requiring users to verify information for accurate tracking.
- Some advanced features, such as meal planning and nutrient goal customization, require in-app purchases.
- The app’s focus on quantitative metrics, such as calorie counting, may not align with everyone’s approach to health and overlook other aspects of a balanced lifestyle.
Best Emotional and Mental Wellbeing Apps
Happify – building resilience with science bases techniques
If boosting your mood and building resilience is your focus, look no further than Happify, one of the leading wellbeing apps!
This science-backed app has been developed by a research team. It offers a variety of evidence-based activities, exercises, and fun activities to help you reduce stress, manage anxiety, and increase happiness and self-confidence.
By combining research from positive psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness, Happify allows you to gain a better understanding of your emotional wellbeing and helps you transform your thought pattern. For instance, it helps to proactively improve positive emotions and decrease negative emotions by encouraging positive thinking (i.e., practising positive affirmations), which helps to reframe negative thoughts into positive ones and improve low mood.
Research has found that using Happify is positively correlated with subjective wellbeing and negatively associated with anxiety among older adults (>65),13 Montgomery et al., (2021) found that both healthy users and users with chronic diseases (i.e., high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease), experienced improved wellbeing and anxiety over time.14
Key aspects:
- Free trial: Not provided
- Pricing: $14.99 per month or $139.99 per year.
- App rating: 4.5 from 4,373 reviews in the Apple Store and 4.5 from 4,373 reviews in the Play Store.
Pros:
- This mental wellbeing app focuses on improving emotional wellbeing and building resilience.
- Offers a variety of evidence-based activities and exercises.
- Provides a positive and engaging user experience.
Cons:
- May not address more complex mental health issues.
- Some users may prefer a more personalised approach.
- Some users may prefer face-to-face training, instead of using the app.
Aloe Bud – prioritise oneself with gentle reminders
For those who need a nudge to practise self-care, Aloe Bud is one of the most intuitive free wellbeing apps and the caring companion you’ve been looking for.
With gentle reminders for hydration, movement, and gratitude, this app ensures you take time for yourself. Offering customizable routines, Aloe Bud helps you build healthy habits and reduce stress, all in a visually appealing and easy-to-use interface.
Self-care has numerous benefits such as reducing stress,15 building resilience,16 and boosting self-esteem.17
Key aspects:
- Pricing: Free
- App rating: 4.8 from 6,239 reviews in the Apple Store and 4.8 from 6,239 reviews in the Play Store.
Pros:
- Helps users track and manage wellbeing activities.
- Offers gentle reminders for hydration, movement, and other healthy tasks.
- Provides a simple and visually appealing interface.
Cons:
- Limited customization options for reminders and activities.
- May not cater to individual preferences or routines.
- Lacks in-depth features for mental health support.
Daylio – embrace journaling for emotional wellbeing
If you prefer to process your emotions through journaling, Daylio is the perfect app for you. This app allows you to enter your mood and write accompanying journal entries, helping you track and understand your emotions over time.
With customisable tags and reminders, Daylio provides insightful data visualisations and statistics to support your emotional wellbeing.
According to research, tracking one’s mood can be beneficial in several ways. For instance, people who suffer from mood disorders can better understand their moods. Moreover, mood data can help therapists to provide better diagnosis and treatment.18 A study conducted by Hussein et al., 2020 revealed that the Daylio app is effective, reliable and efficient in use.19
Key aspects:
- Pricing: Free
- App rating: 4.7 from 373,679 votes in the Apple Store and 4.8 from 36,581 reviews in the Play Store
Pros:
- Helps users track their moods and activities.
- Offers customizable tags and reminders.
- Provides insightful data visualisations and statistics.
Cons:
- May not be suitable for individuals requiring professional mental health assistance.
- Limited features for deeper psychological analysis or support.
- Some users may find the tracking process tedious or repetitive.
Worry Watch – managing worries and anxiety
If you are seeking self-help and feel that you would like to take control of your worries and anxieties, Worry Watch can help you in the process. This wellbeing app enables you to record, categorise, and track your worries, offering valuable insights into your worry patterns and triggers.
By promoting self-awareness and offering tools for self-reflection, Worry Watch can be beneficial for individuals looking to better understand and address their worries, ultimately supporting their mental health and well-being.
For example, a user reported that after using the app she could better understand patterns in her thinking and learn about ways in which thoughts were contributing to her anxious distress.20
Key aspects:
- Free trial: Not provided
- Pricing: Annual subscription $11.99 and monthly subscription $2.99
- App rating: 4.6 from 293 reviews in the Apple Store and 3.9 from 176 votes in the Play Store
Pros:
- Helps users identify and track their worries and anxiety.
- Offers a journaling feature to reflect on worries and emotions.
- Provides tools for challenging and reframing negative thoughts.
Cons:
- May not offer extensive guidance or coping strategies.
- Limited customization options for tracking and recording worries.
- Some users may prefer a more comprehensive anxiety management app.
Best Therapy And Counselling Apps
Talkspace – accessible online therapy
Seeking professional mental health and wellbeing support? Talkspace is one of the best mental health apps that connects you with licensed therapists through text, audio, and video messaging, providing a convenient and confidential way to access therapy services.
Talkspace offers a range of psychological therapy options such as couples therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy or person-centred therapy.
It helps to address various mental health concerns, making it a suitable choice for those with limited access to in-person therapy. It is suitable for people of different ages, from teens, to young adults and older adults.
Previous research sheds light on the beneficial effects of this therapy app. A study conducted among 5890 clients and 1271 therapists revealed that Talkspace improved depression symptoms among users after a period of 16 weeks.21 It was also found that depression and anxiety were significantly reduced among 70% of users and 50% no longer meet the criteria for depression or anxiety diagnosis.22 Hull & Mahan (2017) found that Talkspace is “affordable, convenient and effective” in their study.23
Key aspects:
- Free trial: No
- Pricing: Between $69 and $109 per week
- App rating: Rating: 4.8 from 19,965 reviews in the Apple Store and 4.5 from 6,479 votes in the Play Store.
Pros:
- Provides convenient and accessible online therapy.
- Offers a variety of subscription plans and options for different needs.
- Allows users to communicate with the qualified professional via text, audio, or video.
Cons:
- Requires a subscription and may not be covered by insurance.
- The asynchronous nature of communication may not suit everyone’s preferences.
- May not be suitable for individuals requiring immediate or crisis intervention.
Sanvello – mental wellness app
For a holistic approach to mental health, Sanvello has you covered. Offering resources and tools to manage stress, anxiety and depression, and bring balance. This mental health app provides guided self-help activities, meditation exercises, mood tracking, and journaling features.
With its evidence-based approach and a wide range of features, Sanvello is a valuable app for supporting various aspects of mental wellbeing and mental health.
In a clinical study conducted among 500 participants, it was found that Sanvello users experienced decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression and increased self-efficacy after 30 days.24 Another study found beneficial effects on depression and chronic pain symptoms among users while using the Sanvello app and even after participants stopped using the app.25
Key aspects:
- Free trial: The free version includes guided meditations, journaling prompts, health habit tracking, goal setting and tracking.
- Pricing: In-app purchases for several services;
- Self-care: $8.99 per month or $53.99 per year
- Peer support: $8.99 per month or $53.99 per year
- Coaching: $50 per month
- Therapy: $140 for first session and $85 for follow-up sessions
- App rating: 4.8 from 22,308 reviews in the Apple Store and 4.6 from 24,762 votes in the Play Store.
Pros:
- Offers tools for managing stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Provides guided self-help activities and meditation exercises.
- Includes mood tracking and journaling features.
Cons:
- Some features require a premium subscription for full access.
- May not replace the need for professional mental health treatment.
- Some users may find the user interface less intuitive compared to other apps.
Youper – AI-Powered Support for Mental Health
Youper is one of the few mental health apps that uses artificial intelligence to improve mental health. By harnessing the power of AI, it provides personalised clinically proven therapy sessions, cognitive behavioural therapy, mood tracking, and mindfulness exercises, all tailored to your unique needs.
This mental health app can help combat anxiety, improve your mood, positive thinking and build resilience, making it a valuable tool for emotional support, bringing balance and self-reflection.
A randomised clinical trial conducted among 4517 users, showed that the app was highly rated by users (4.36 stars out of 5 stars), and that 42.66% (1927/4517) of users kept using the app after 4 weeks. Anxiety and depression decreased after two weeks of app use.26
Key aspects:
- Free trial: Not provided
- Pricing:
- Medication plan: $24 per week
- Therapy and behaviour coaching plan: $45 per week
- Therapy, behaviour coaching and medication plan: $55 per week.
- App rating: 4.8 from 14,542 reviews in the Apple Store and 4.8 from 18,369 votes in the Play Store.
Pros:
- Utilises artificial intelligence to provide personalised mental health support.
- Offers tools for tracking and understanding emotions.
- Provides guided conversations and coping mechanisms.
Cons:
- May not replace the need for in-person therapy for individuals with more severe conditions.
- Some users may prefer a human therapist for support, instead of a chatbot app, since AI lacks the empathetic and emotional understanding that human therapists possess.
- AI algorithms might not always accurately diagnose mental health conditions or provide appropriate recommendations.
Stay Alive – Suicide Prevention
Stay Alive, developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention in collaboration with the NHS, is an app dedicated to suicide prevention.
It provides a personalised safety plan, a LifeBox for cherished memories, crisis coping strategies, guided breathing exercises, and an interactive Wellness Plan.
The app links users to local and national crisis resources, serving as a crucial peer support system for those in crisis or concerned about someone at risk of suicide.
A report published by the Office for Life Sciences in 2020 revealed that Stay Alive has “helped individuals stay safe from suicide in 76% of cases when using the app for themselves, 81% when supporting someone else and 78% when professionals were using it.” The app has also “helped reduce stigma for more than 90% of users, as well as improved the way users speak about suicide.”27
Key aspects:
- Pricing: This app is free to download.
- App rating: 3.7 from 56 reviews in the Apple Store and 3.7 from 351 votes in the Play Store.
Pros:
- This app is a pocket suicide prevention resource, which offers a wide range of practical tools and resources for suicide prevention and personalized safety plans which avoid self harm.
- The app’s customizable features empower users to tailor their experience, fostering a sense of control and engagement.
- It provides discreet access to information and advice on self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Cons:
- The app’s reliance on digital platforms might not cater to individuals seeking non-screen-based support, potentially limiting its accessibility
- Users might encounter challenges navigating the app’s features, especially during critical moments, which could impact its effectiveness.
- While focused on crisis management, Stay Alive may offer less emphasis on addressing underlying mental health concerns, potentially requiring supplementary resources for holistic support.
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That’s a wrap!
The journey to mental wellbeing is a personal one, with every individual having unique needs and preferences. With the rise of technology, mental health apps have emerged as valuable tools, bridging the gap between traditional therapy and daily self-care and helping individuals strive towards their best possible self.
These apps, from mood trackers to professional therapy platforms, are revolutionising the way we approach our mental health, making resources more accessible and attuned to the digital age.
Alexandra Bethencourt
Health & Wellbeing Content Writer
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Yes, that's right – it pays you to walk! With the motivation to earn rewards for outdoor activities and exercise, staying active has never been more exciting.
Research suggests that Sweatcoin increases daily steps in the long term. For instance, in a study conducted among 5892 Sweatcoin users, it was revealed that 19% of people increased their daily steps after three months of app usage.6(Elliott et al., 2019). https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/53/18/1195
- https://formative.jmir.org/2023/1/e41877
- (Statista, 2020). https://www.statista.com/statistics/1268975/peloton-satisfaction/
- (Almourad et al., 2021). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160791X21002530
- (Gordon et al., 2019). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7197296/
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- https://cardio.jmir.org/2021/2/e32351/
- (Myers et al., 2012). https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2012-03627-007
- (Craigie, 2016). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-016-0516-x
- (Poorgholami, 2016). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4804061/
- (Chaudhry 2016). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5344152/
- https://www.researchgate.net/publication/341827478_The_Effectiveness_Efficiency_and_Reliability-in-Use_of_Daylio_Mobile_App
- (Marschall, 2023). https://www.verywellmind.com/i-tried-worry-watch-review-7768309
- (Darnell et al., 2022). https://formative.jmir.org/2022/6/e36521
- (Hull et al., 2020). https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-020-02721-x
- https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/tmj.2016.0114?journalCode=tmj
- Moberg et al., 2019).https://www.jmir.org/2019/6/e12556/
- (Ventura & Chung, 2019). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30888427/
- (Mehta et al., 2021). https://www.jmir.org/2021/6/e26771/
- https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Stay-Alive-Evaluation-Report-2020.pdf
