Source-backed analysis12
Review basis
Research-based review: the AppDuo Editorial Team compiled it from official pages, documentation, app stores, press and user feedback, without hands-on testing. Every claim links to a source with the date it was checked.
12 reference sourcesInformation updated Nov 10, 2026
How we review
Headspace Review
Meditation app with structured courses, plus sleep content and paid therapy
By AppDuo Editorial Team · Updated
- iOS
- Android
- Web
On this page
Decide at a glance
Our verdict
Headspace suits newcomers to meditation who want a clear path, with sleep, focus and light movement content included. The trade-offs: the interface is English-only, you must pay once the trial ends, and its Trustpilot score is very low because of complaints about auto-renewals and refunds.
Best for: Beginners who want short sessions and step-by-step courses
Skip it if: Users who need a non-English interface
Pros
- 500+ guided meditations, with sessions from 3 minutes
- 4.8/5 on the US App Store across nearly 974,000 ratings
- Adds sleep, focus and mindful movement content
Cons
- The App Store lists English only
- Subscriptions are non-refundable, including on the website, with case-by-case exceptions
All pros and cons · Who is it for?
Pros
- Adds therapy, mental health coaching and the Ebb AI companion
- 14-day free trial on the annual plan with the full library unlocked
Cons
- Trustpilot 1.5/5 across 775 reviews
- May pass limited personal data to advertising platforms
Best for
- People who want meditation, sleep and focus content in one app
Skip it if
- People with serious mental health conditions, who should seek a licensed professional
Problems it solves
Experience & key features
What Headspace is
Headspace is a meditation and mental health app from Headspace Inc. (US). Its App Store listing describes 500+ guided meditations, sleep tools such as sleepcasts, focus music, mindful movement and progress tracking. The iOS app was released in 2012.
Content and services
The subscription page groups the library into Sleep, Meditate, Move, Wake Up and Focus. Headspace also sells mental health coaching and therapy, and offers the Ebb AI companion. Therapy and coaching are delivered by affiliated care providers under separate terms and privacy notices; coaching is sold only to US members.
Pricing and refunds
List prices are $12.99/month or $69.99/year, and a $34.99 first-year offer was shown when checked. The annual plan has a 14-day trial, the monthly plan 7 days. Prices vary by country: the UK App Store lists £9.99/month and £49.99/year. Per the help center, purchases are non-refundable, so note when the trial ends and when the plan renews.
More analysis
History and comparison
The company was founded in London in 2010, merged with Ginger in August 2021 and dropped the Headspace Health name in 2023. Compared with Calm, Headspace leans toward structured meditation paths while Calm is known for Sleep Stories. The sources read are not enough to say which is better.
Screenshots
Plans & pricing
Prices last verified Nov 10, 2026
Monthly
Personal$12.99/mo/user
The official subscription page lists $12.99/month, billed monthly. The 7-day free trial converts to this plan. The UK App Store lists £9.99/month, showing prices differ by country.
Annual
Personal$5.83/mo/user
Listed at $69.99/year (about $5.83/month). When checked, a limited offer cut the first year by 50% to $34.99, after which it renews at full price. The 14-day free trial converts to the annual plan. The page also mentions a student plan (85% off with SheerID verification) and a family plan. The US App Store also sells Headspace Plus at $94.99; the UK App Store lists the annual plan at £49.99.
- Free plan limits
- There is no permanent free tier in the app. Per the help center, the trial unlocks the whole library; after it ends you need a subscription, and free content is limited to Headspace's YouTube channel, Radio Headspace and articles.
- Free trial
- 14-day free trial · no credit card
Cancellation & refunds
Per the help center, subscriptions bought directly on headspace.com are non-refundable, though Headspace reviews special circumstances case by case via [email protected]. App Store and Google Play purchases are also described as final and subject to Apple's or Google's own policies.
Privacy
Headspace's privacy policy (effective 28 October 2026; translations are provided for reference, the English version is official) states Headspace is not a data broker and does not sell personal information for payment. It may, however, disclose limited personal information to third-party advertising platforms for targeted advertising, which can count as "selling" or "sharing" under the CCPA; you can opt out with Global Privacy Control signals. Data is kept as long as needed for its stated purposes or as the law allows. For therapy and coaching services, Headspace is a HIPAA business associate of its US care providers. The app can save meditation sessions to Apple Health if you allow it. The Google Play data safety section says the app may share location, personal info and three other data types with third parties; data is encrypted in transit and deletion can be requested.
Headspace alternatives
Frequently asked questions
Is Headspace free?
The app is free to download and the trial unlocks the full library (7 days on the monthly plan, 14 days on the annual plan). After that you need to pay; there is no permanent free tier.
How much does Headspace cost?
The official page lists $12.99/month and $69.99/year, with a 50% first-year offer when checked. Prices can differ by country.
Can I get a refund?
Per Headspace, purchases on headspace.com, the App Store or Google Play are non-refundable. For special circumstances you can email [email protected] for a review; for Apple or Google purchases, contact that store.
Does Headspace sell my data?
The policy says it does not sell personal information for payment, but it discloses limited data for targeted advertising, which may count as "selling" or "sharing" under the CCPA.
Review evidence & sources12
Scores
- Ease of use
- 8.0
- Features
- 8.0
- Value for money
- 6.5
- Performance
- 7.8
- Support
- 5.8
- Privacy & security
- 5.8
Why this score
4.8/5 on the US App Store and 4.2/5 on Google Play; the listing stresses 3-minute sessions and clear paths.
Why this score
Meditation, sleep, focus, movement and progress tracking, plus therapy, coaching and the Ebb AI; coaching is sold only to US members.
Why this score
List prices of $12.99/month and $69.99/year, in line with Calm, with frequent 50% first-year offers; but there is no permanent free tier and purchases are non-refundable.
Why this score
iOS version 8.39.1 was released on 6 November 2026, with regular updates; Google Play 4.2/5 across 340,000 reviews.
Why this score
A help center and email exist, but Trustpilot's review summary cites many complaints about unexpected renewal charges and hard-to-get refunds.
Why this score
States it does not sell data for payment and honors GPC, but still discloses limited data for targeted advertising, and Google Play says the app may share location with third parties.
What users say
- App Store (United States)4.8/5 · 973,758
- App Store (Vietnam)4.9/5 · 1,270
- Google Play4.2/5 · 340,000
- Trustpilot1.5/5 · 775
Sources
- Vendor-providedHeadspace subscription pageNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedHeadspace privacy policyNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedHeadspace help center - cancel subscriptionNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedHeadspace help center - purchasing a subscription (trial lengths)Nov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedHeadspace help center - what's included for freeNov 10, 2026
- Vendor-providedHeadspace help center - coaching eligibilityNov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (UK)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (US)Nov 10, 2026
- storeApp Store listing (Vietnam)Nov 10, 2026
- storeGoogle Play listingNov 10, 2026
- Community-reportedWikipedia - Headspace (company)Nov 10, 2026
- review-siteTrustpilot - headspace.comNov 10, 2026
Specs & compatibility
- Developer
- Headspace Inc.
- Headquarters
- United States
- Launched
- 2012
- Category
- Health
Capabilities
- Mobile app
- AI features
- Integrations
Platforms
- iOS
- Android
- Web
Interface languages
- English
Integrations
- Apple Health
Support
- Help center
Change history
- Company.Tom Pickett is appointed CEO.
- Company.Drops the Headspace Health name and goes by Headspace.
- Company.Layoffs hit therapists; some former therapists accused the company of cancelling client appointments without notice.
Full change history (6)
- Company.Merges with Ginger, creating a company valued at $3 billion; Russell Glass becomes CEO.
- Launch.The iOS app appears on the App Store.
- Launch.Andy Puddicombe and Richard Pierson found Headspace in London.
About the author
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