Checklist on How to Build a Profitable Meditation App

Have you ever wondered what users who left the wellness app “Calm” are searching for now? The answer is in the phrase: “free apps like Calm.” Last month, this search was entered 480 times in the U.S. alone.

This demand for “free” wellness apps isn’t just a trend; it’s a growing opportunity for psychologists and meditation experts. The search data reveals a clear market need — people want quality meditation tools for free.

But how do you create a meditation app that rivals “Calm”, yet remains free and profitable?

After reading this article, you will:

• Understand why users choose free apps and how to attract them.
• Learn how to turn free users into paying customers.
• Discover key features for successful meditation app development.
• Get a plan on how to create a meditation app that grows and profits.

Want to know the cost of meditation app development? Use our free AI tool to generate a customized technical plan, timeline and budget estimate in under 5 minutes. Get a clear understanding of your project’s scope and costs instantly.

Meditation App Market Trends and Growth Potential

Let's start by examining a brief infographic:

The market value for mental wellness apps is $1.49 billion, indicating fierce competition that motivates developers to offer unique features to stand out.

Apps like “Calm” and “Headspace” lead the market. “Calm” generates $7.7 million monthly in-app revenue as of January 2024. The app focuses on high-quality content, user-friendly design, and a strong marketing strategy to ensure consistent user engagement and revenue growth.

The second chart shows the projected market distribution over the next 7-10 years. A significant growth trend emphasizes the profitability of investing in meditation app development. Stay updated on the latest AI trends by reading our article here.

What Makes the Top 4 Free Meditation Apps Stand Out

When diving into meditation app development, it’s essential to understand what makes top apps so successful. We analyzed the best meditation apps to highlight their standout features, which you can consider when creating a meditation app.

1. Insight Timer

Insight Timer is a powerhouse due to its vast library of 100,000+ free guided meditations—one of the largest selections available in any app. The daily updated content and an active community of over 20 million users make it a go-to for variety and social connection. The unique ability to customize sessions with timers and background music adds to its appeal, making it perfect for those who want flexibility and depth without any cost.

2. Smiling Mind

Smiling Mind is entirely free, but what truly sets it apart is its focus on structured mindfulness programs created by psychologists and educators. These programs cater to all age groups, making it an excellent tool for families, schools, and workplaces. Its unique, scientifically-backed content ensures users can incorporate mindfulness into their daily routines with ease, which is rare for a completely free app.

3. MyLife Meditation (formerly Stop, Breathe & Think)

MyLife Meditation stands out with its highly personalized approach. The app tailors meditation recommendations based on your current mood, making it unique in offering a truly customized experience every time you use it. With a range of guided meditations, breathing exercises, and mindfulness practices, it’s perfect for managing stress and emotions—no subscription required. This focus on personalization is what propels MyLife to the top tier of meditation apps.

4. UCLA Mindful

Developed by UCLA, this app offers basic meditations, wellness sessions, educational videos, and podcasts. It’s backed by science and super easy to use, making it ideal for beginners.These apps give you a lot of bang for your buck—except you don’t need the buck. They make mindfulness accessible to everyone, whether you’re just starting or looking to deepen your practice, all without the pressure to pay.

Why Users Choose Free Meditation Apps Over Paid

1. Saving Money: No matter their income, people want a comfortable and engaging life while saving a bit. Although many people consider meditation useful, not all of them are ready to spend money on it.
2. Skepticism and Risk Aversion: Some users need to be convinced meditation will work for them. They also fear being stuck with a subscription they might not use, so free apps capture this cautious audience.
3. Perceived Value: Many users are satisfied with the value they get from free apps. Some believe they have the self-discipline to stick with free content and still get the benefits.
4. Convenience and Accessibility: Free apps are quick and easy to access, which is a big plus for users looking for immediate stress or anxiety relief.

Essential Free Features for Successful Meditation App Development

Let’s talk about why someone might be looking for a free meditation app in the first place. This user is usually stressed, anxious, or curious about meditation but not ready to invest in a paid service. Perhaps they’re on a tight budget or skeptical about whether meditation will work for them. Whatever the reason, they want to dip their toes into meditation without committing financially.

Right free features can guide them through this exploration and turn into loyal customers:

1. Basic Guided Meditations

Provide a few free guided sessions focused on stress, sleep, and relaxation. Short, 5-10-minute meditations can make it easier for users to integrate meditation into their daily routine without feeling pressured to upgrade. This is a great starting point if you want to create a meditation app that stands out.

2. Daily Meditation Practices

Encourage consistency by offering a new meditation every day. This keeps users engaged and helps them build a regular practice without the feeling of missing out on premium content.

3. Basic Progress Tracking

Help users track their progress with a free progress tracker. Let them see their meditation streaks and log their mood to notice positive changes over time. This simple feature adds value without any cost to them.

4. Limited Offline Access

Offer a few sessions for offline use. This way, users can maintain their meditation routine while traveling or in places with limited or no internet access, keeping them engaged even when they're offline.

5. Access to Basic Sounds and Music

Include a few free calming soundscapes or music tracks. Some users prefer meditating with background sounds instead of guided sessions, so this feature enhances their experience without pressuring them to upgrade. Meditation app development benefits greatly from offering such versatility.

6. Social Sharing Features

Motivate users by allowing them to share their milestones and achievements with friends. Not only does social sharing help them feel proud of their progress but also promotes your app to a wider audience.

7. Community Access

Create a sense of community by providing free access to forums where users can ask questions, share experiences, and seek advice. Building a supportive environment will deepen their emotional connection with your app.

8. In-App Advertising

Throughout their experience, they notice ads but find them non-intrusive. The app remains free because of these ads; while they’re there, they don’t disrupt the user’s journey. The option to upgrade to a premium, ad-free experience is always available, but not pushed on them.

The user seeks a free app to explore meditation without making a financial commitment. By offering these essential features for free, you provide real value, help them build a habit, see the benefits, and develop trust in the app. This approach is crucial for developers interested in meditation app development to attract and retain users. Over time, as they become more invested in their meditation journey, they may naturally consider upgrading to premium features, knowing that the app has already proven its worth.

Must-Have Paid Features for Successful Meditation App Development

These paid features will attract customers to your meditation app and boost its development success.

1. Advanced Meditations and Courses

Users often want more in-depth content, like courses on anxiety or sleep. Let them access these specialized sessions in the premium version only. This will deepen their practice, offering expertise and extended content worth the upgrade.

2. Personalization and Recommendations

Some users look for tailored meditation sessions. Offer them personalized recommendations and customization options in the premium plan. This will show them that your app adapts to their needs and makes meditation more effective and engaging.

3. Offline Content Access

Some want to still have access to the app regardless of the internet connection. Make this possible for them by upgrading to a premium plan and downloading a full library to stay on track wherever they go.

4. Live Sessions and Interactive Content

People are interested in live meditation sessions or webinars. Make those exclusive to premium users. Real-time interaction with experts and the community will add value beyond recorded content and make people want to switch to a premium plan.

5. Gamification and Achievements

Users are motivated by progress and unlocking achievements. Include advanced challenges and rewards in your app to keep users engaged and motivated. Around 87% of people meditate alone, and gamified features can provide the motivation and sense of accomplishment they need to maintain their practice.

6. Advanced Analytics and Tracking

Some people want detailed insights into their meditation practice. Let premium users get advanced analytics on stress, sleep, and progress. In-depth tracking helps visualize the benefits and reinforces the practice.

7. Premium Support and Coaching

People need expert advice or challenges in their practice. The premium plan should offer personal coaching and priority support. Direct access to experts helps to overcome obstacles and improve users’ practice.

8. Additional Soundscapes and Music

Users enjoy calming sounds but usually want more options. Provide an expanded library of soundscapes, enhancing the sensory experience and making meditation more immersive with a premium subscription.

9. Ad-Free Experience

Frustrated by ads disrupting their meditation, users upgrade to a premium to remove all interruptions and create a focused, distraction-free environment ideal for deep relaxation.

10. Exclusive Community Access

People want to connect with like-minded people. Let premium members access exclusive forums and groups, building a supportive community essential for consistent practice.

These paid features add significant value, turning a good app into a full-fledged wellness tool. They attract users who are ready to invest more in their mental health, offering enhanced functionality that justifies the upgrade.

Effective Monetization Strategies for Meditation App Development

To convert free users into paying customers:

1. Show the Value: Make it clear what extra benefits premium features offer. Users should see why upgrading is worth it.
2. Offer Risk-Free Trials: Let users experience premium features with a free trial. Make it easy to cancel if they decide it's not for them.
3. Tiered Pricing: Keep some features free but offer premium content at different prices to cater to various budgets.
4. Fresh Content: Regularly update both free and premium content. Tease new premium features in the free version to keep users interested.

By understanding these motives, you can attract users, build trust, and convert them into paying customers.

Open Meditation App Cost

Developing a meditation app involves several stages: planning, design, development, and launch. Costs and timelines vary depending on the app's complexity, features, and the location of your development team. To receive a clear estimate and expert recommendations on the best tech stack, design, and team structure, try our free app cost calculator. It only takes 5 minutes, and you'll get a complete technical plan sent to your email.

Expert Tips for Successful Meditation App Development

1. Start with a Clear Vision

Are you aiming to offer a broad selection of meditations or focusing on a niche like sleep or stress relief? The more specific you are about your goals, the easier it will be to prioritize features and manage costs effectively.

2. Choose the Right Tech Stack

The tech stack you choose directly affects the success of your app. There are plenty of options—React Native and Xamarin are solid tools for cross-platform development. If you’re leaning toward native, Swift and Kotlin are great choices, too. But from our experience, Flutter often comes out on top.

Flutter lets you build for both iOS and Android without blowing up your budget or timeline. Its performance is strong, matching native apps, and the built-in widgets help you implement your design and functionality quickly and effectively.

For the backend, we recommend Firebase. It integrates seamlessly with Flutter and provides everything you need, from user authentication to real-time databases and analytics. This combo simplifies development and lets you focus on what matters—creating an awesome product.

3. Integrate AI for Personalization

If you're developing a more advanced app, consider using AI to personalize the user experience. Tools like TensorFlow or Google's ML Kit can help you analyze user behavior and tailor meditation recommendations. Personalization can greatly enhance user satisfaction and retention.

5. Control Your Budget

To keep your project on budget, start with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) that includes only the essential features. Based on user feedback and app performance, you can always add more advanced functionalities later.

For a step-by-step guide on how to create an MVP, check out our article here.

90% User Satisfaction and a 5-Star Rating: The Success Story of Daria Hanson's Meditation App

When wellness influencer Daria Hanson decided to create her meditation app, she wanted more than just another app—something truly connected to her audience. We studied her 5,000 followers and built a Flutter app that delivered personalized meditations, social features, and scalability with Firebase. The beta test showed 90% user satisfaction, and the app quickly gained 2,000+ active users and a 5-star rating on Google Play. This is how to create a meditation app that resonates with your community.

Discover more in the full case study here.

Conclusion: Build Apps that Drive Growth and Revenue

To develop a successful meditation app, focus on understanding your audience, selecting the right features, and collaborating with a knowledgeable team. The success of Daria Hanson’s app, with its rapid user growth and high ratings, proves that a well-executed plan leads to results.

The numbers don’t lie — apps that resonate with users and offer personalized experiences stand out in the crowded market.

If you want to create a standout meditation app that drives growth and revenue, start by getting a tailored estimate using our Ptolemay App Cost Calculator. It's quick, easy, and free.

Ready to build a great app? Contact us today.

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Read our checklist on building a profitable meditation app.