Simple Habit is an award-winning meditation app with 4.6 stars on Android and 4.8 stars on iOS. While the 5-minute meditation format works well for many users, recent technical issues and limited Android updates have affected the experience for some.
Simple Habit carries impressive credentials—2018 Google Play Awards winner, featured on Shark Tank, and over 1 million downloads. With 4.6 stars on Android and 4.8 stars on iOS, many users clearly find value in the app's 5-minute meditation approach.
The app was designed for busy people who need quick meditation sessions throughout their day. For users with limited time, the format works well. Long-time users mention sticking with the app for years, and the kids content has helped many families establish bedtime routines.
However, recent reviews show a drop to 3.35 stars, indicating growing concerns. Some users report technical issues—meditations that won't load, playback problems, and login difficulties. The developers have also indicated limited plans for Android updates, suggesting users try the web version for the best experience.
We'll examine whether Simple Habit's quick meditation format and expert content justify the subscription, or if alternatives like Medito and Headspace offer better value.
Simple Habit requires a subscription to access most content, with pricing around €5.49 - €134.99 depending on subscription length. However, the subscription value is questionable given the app's abandoned status.
The free version offers extremely limited access, with most sessions locked after 1-2 free trials. Users report that even content not marked as premium becomes locked after initial sessions.
In our review of Simple Habit, we considered the categories Features, Design, Ease of Use, Value for Money, Performance and Security & Privacy. Each category was given equal importance and we'll dive into the details of each in the following section.
Simple Habit's core concept—5-minute meditations for busy people—addresses a genuine need. Expert-led content from Google mindfulness experts and former monks provides quality guidance. The "On-the-Go" feature for quick anxiety relief works well for the target audience.
Features that work well:
Some users experience technical issues—meditations not loading, playback stopping mid-session, or content becoming inaccessible. The app was recently rewritten, which removed some features like favorites that users relied on. The free version is quite limited, with most content requiring subscription.
The Android version has limited development plans according to developers, who suggest using the web version for the best experience. This means new features and improvements may not come to the Android app.
We're rating features 7.0 out of 10. The 5-minute format and expert content work well for many users, but technical inconsistencies and limited free content hold it back.
Simple Habit won a 2018 Google Material Design Award, demonstrating strong design fundamentals. The interface follows Material Design guidelines with clean visual presentation.
Design elements:
Some users mention the UX could be improved compared to newer competitors. The recent app rewrite removed features like favorites, which affected users who relied on that organization method. Navigation could be more intuitive for finding specific content.
The design serves its purpose—getting users into meditation quickly. While not cutting-edge in 2025, it's functional and doesn't get in the way of the primary task.
We're rating design 7.0 out of 10. Solid, award-winning foundation that works for most users, though some navigation improvements would enhance the experience.
Simple Habit aims for simplicity—the name makes that promise clear. For many users, particularly on iOS with its 4.8-star rating, the app delivers on that promise. Opening the app and starting a 5-minute meditation is straightforward.
What works well:
However, some Android users experience friction. A subset report meditations not loading, requiring app restarts. Some experience playback stopping mid-session. A few users had login difficulties with password reset issues. The recent app rewrite removed favorites, which affected users who relied on that organization.
The distinction between free and premium content isn't always clear—some sessions lock after 1-2 uses even when not marked as premium, creating confusion about what's included.
Most users find the app simple to use, but technical issues affect enough people that reliability becomes a concern for Android users specifically.
We're rating ease of use 6.5 out of 10. Works smoothly for many users, but technical inconsistencies on Android create friction that shouldn't exist in an app promising simplicity.
Value assessment for Simple Habit depends heavily on which platform you use and how well it works for you. The pricing ranges from €5.49 to €134.99 for different subscription periods.
The value proposition:
The concerns are real though. The free version is very limited—most content locks behind subscription. Some users report even content not marked premium locks after 1-2 sessions. The developers indicated limited Android development plans, suggesting users try the web version for the best experience.
For iOS users experiencing the 4.8-star rated app, the value may justify the subscription. For Android users, especially those experiencing technical issues, paying for an app with limited platform support is harder to justify.
Free alternatives like Medito offer good meditation content at zero cost with active development. Headspace provides premium features with ongoing support, though at higher pricing.
We're rating value for money 5.5 out of 10. Fair value for iOS users and those experiencing smooth performance, but questionable for Android users facing technical issues with limited development support.
Performance varies significantly between platforms and users. The 4.6 Android and 4.8 iOS ratings indicate many users experience smooth performance. However, recent reviews at 3.35 stars show some users are experiencing problems.
Performance strengths:
Performance issues some users experience:
The developer recommendation to use the web version for best performance suggests they're aware Android optimization isn't their current focus. This creates uncertainty about whether reported issues will be addressed.
We're rating performance 6.0 out of 10. Works reliably for many users (especially on iOS), but enough Android users experience issues that platform-specific problems are a real concern.
Security and privacy for abandoned apps present unique concerns. While Simple Habit hasn't suffered publicized data breaches, the lack of ongoing security maintenance creates inherent risks.
Privacy considerations:
The primary security concern isn't current violations but future vulnerability. Security best practices evolve, new exploit methods emerge, and abandoned apps never receive patches. An app collecting user meditation habits, progress data, and payment information needs ongoing security maintenance.
Users also face practical privacy concerns—what happens to their subscription data and stored content when an abandoned app eventually shuts down completely? There's no communication about data retention or eventual service termination.
We're rating security and privacy 6.0 out of 10. No current major concerns, but the lack of ongoing security maintenance creates growing risk over time.
Simple Habit offers something valuable—5-minute meditations designed specifically for busy people. The 4.6 and 4.8 star ratings across platforms show this format resonates with many users. For people who genuinely struggle to find meditation time, the quick sessions and expert guidance provide real value.
The concerns are legitimate though. Recent performance issues affect some users, and the developers have indicated limited Android development plans, directing users to the web version instead. The subscription model feels less justified when active platform development is limited. Technical problems some users experience—loading failures, playback issues—become more frustrating knowing they may not receive fixes.
Our recommendation depends on your situation. If you have iOS and want quick meditations, Simple Habit's 4.8-star rating suggests it works well. For Android users, proceed cautiously—check if the app works smoothly on your device before subscribing, and consider that technical support may be limited.
Alternatively, Medito offers free meditation with active development, and Headspace provides premium content with ongoing support (despite its own current issues). These options provide more confidence in long-term viability and improvements.
Okay
In the Features category, Simple Habit has scored an average 7. It offers a basic set of features, but may be lacking in advanced functionality.
In the Design category, Simple Habit has scored an average 7. The design is serviceable, though it may not be particularly attractive or innovative.
In the Ease of Use category, Simple Habit has scored a below-average 6.5. It can be used, but the interface or workflow may be frustrating.
In the Value for Money category, Simple Habit has scored a very poor 5.5. It offers little to no value, and is unlikely to be a good investment.
In the Performance category, Simple Habit has scored a poor 6. It may struggle with even simple tasks, leading to a frustrating experience.
In the Security & Privacy category, Simple Habit has scored a poor 6. It may have significant gaps in security or privacy, putting users at risk.
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Medito
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Serenity