Waking Up Course
For intellectually curious individuals interested in the intersection of neuroscience, philosophy, and mindfulness.
Waking Up: Meditation & Wisdom
Snapshot
Who is Waking Up Course?
Providing a secular, science-based approach to meditation and philosophy for individuals seeking intellectual depth in mindfulness.
Target audience
Portfolio
Free 1Last updated
Waking Up: Meditation & Wisdom
v3.21.1
5mo ago
Publisher DNA
What defines Waking Up Course?
Publisher DNA
Primary focus
Secular meditation and philosophical education
Scale
indie
Target audience
Intellectually curious individuals interested in the intersection of neuroscience, philosophy, and mindfulness.
Origin
Founded by author and neuroscientist Sam Harris to provide a guide to spirituality without religion.
Signature Patterns
- •Integration of theoretical philosophy with practical meditation exercises
- •Premium subscription model with high-price tiers ($129.99/year)
- •Commitment to accessibility via a self-serve scholarship program
- •Content-heavy updates featuring expert-led series and guest conversations
Portfolio momentum
Released 11 updates for their flagship title in the last 6 months with the most recent update occurring 21 days ago.
Portfolio
What does Waking Up Course ship?
Apps
1 app analysed
A Life-Changing Approach to Mindfulness—Learn More than Basic Relaxation Methods
Scholarship program functions as a B2B-style distribution barrier by lowering entry costs
- Science-based meditation techniques provide deep insights into consciousness and mental clarity
- Aggressive subscription paywall and billing practices frustrate new users during onboarding
Single-market publisher, every app ships only to United States.
Based on 1 of 1 app with localized market data · last scanned .
Americas (1)
- United States1 / 1
Core markets (1/1 apps)
User Sentiment
How do users feel about their apps?
1
Positive apps
0
Neutral / mixed
0
Negative apps
75/100
Avg sentiment score
Rivals
Who does Waking Up Course compete with?
The rivals identified
Nemeses(1)
Both apps compete for users seeking science-backed mindfulness tools, with 7Mind targeting acute stress and sleep while Waking Up focuses on long-term philosophical curriculum.
Contenders(9)
Both apps target individuals seeking mindfulness and stress management, but they compete by offering distinct approaches: Waking Up provides a theory-heavy curriculum, while Buddhify focuses on situational exercises for daily activities.
Both apps target users seeking guided meditation and mindfulness, but they diverge on monetization and philosophical approach. Plum Village attracts users with a completely free, non-profit model, while Waking Up targets those willing to pay for a secular, theory-heavy curriculum.
Both apps target users seeking evidence-based mental training and meditation, creating a direct conflict for the same demographic of secular, science-oriented practitioners.
Both apps compete for the same health-conscious user base seeking mental regulation, with Waking Up targeting cognitive clarity and BetterSleep targeting physiological sleep improvement.
Both applications target users seeking mindfulness and meditation, but Medito's zero-cost model directly challenges the subscription-based barrier to entry maintained by Waking Up.
Both apps target the mindfulness market, but Mindfulness.com uses a freemium model and video coaching to capture users who find the theory-heavy, subscription-only approach of Waking Up inaccessible.
Both apps compete for the same meditation-focused user base, but they diverge on core utility: Waking Up centers on philosophical theory, while The Mindfulness App prioritizes guided content and hardware integration.
Both apps compete for the same health and fitness user base, but they diverge on core methodology: Mesmerize focuses on sensory-driven relaxation via audio-visual stimuli, while Waking Up prioritizes cognitive theory and secular mindfulness.
Both apps target users seeking secular, philosophical approaches to mindfulness and mental clarity, creating direct competition for the same user base.
Same space(20)
Uses data-driven personalization to curate content from diverse coaches, offering a tailored experience.
Uses CBT strategies to support mental well-being, providing a clinical, expert-backed alternative to the philosophical approach.
Provides a private, encrypted space for long-term memory preservation, serving as a tool for documenting the mindfulness journey.
Uses biometric data from wearables to provide lifestyle correlations, serving users who prefer data-driven health insights.
Competes for the same mindfulness user base by offering high-production celebrity content that contrasts with the pedagogical focus.
Combines nocturnal audio recording with sound therapy, offering a functional sleep-aid utility.
Offers passive, AI-generated soundscapes for focus and sleep, serving as a non-cognitive alternative to the theory-heavy curriculum.
Targets the diagnostic sleep-aid market, offering specialized snore detection that serves as a functional utility.
Integrates mindfulness with Christian spiritual content, serving a specific demographic that seeks faith-based stress relief.
Targets skeptics with a practical approach to mindfulness, serving as a less dogmatic alternative to the theory-heavy curriculum.
Pivoted to a clinical mental health platform, providing a broader health-focused alternative to the specific consciousness-based curriculum.
Acts as an inclusive, community-driven alternative to the curated curriculum by offering a massive, free-access content library.
Offers specialized hypnotherapy content that provides immediate stress relief, serving as a tactical alternative to long-term training.
Combines breathwork and movement with neurobiological research, offering a physically active alternative to seated meditation.
Provides neuroscience-based breathing exercises, serving as a tactical tool for immediate physiological regulation.
Measures sleep debt and energy levels using scientific data, acting as a functional health utility.
Provides non-wearable sleep tracking and smart alarms, acting as a functional utility that complements mindfulness sessions.
Uses a personalized coaching model to adapt sessions to user goals, providing a structured learning path.
Focuses on EFT tapping sequences for anxiety and pain, offering a somatic-based alternative to cognitive-focused mindfulness.
Offers a structured approach to cold exposure and breathing, providing a physically demanding alternative to seated meditation.
New entrants(2)
Uses on-device processing for privacy-focused sleep monitoring, serving users who prioritize data security.
Focuses on daily consistency through real-time sessions, providing a community-based alternative to the static curriculum.
The Analyst's Read
The bottom line on Waking Up Course
Bottom line
Waking Up is a highly specialized single-app publisher that has successfully captured the intellectual mindfulness niche. Their strong weighted rating and consistent update cadence suggest a loyal user base and a sustainable premium monetization strategy.
Frequently asked questions
How many apps does Waking Up Course publish?
What kind of apps does Waking Up Course make?
What is Waking Up Course's top app?
In how many countries are Waking Up Course's apps available?
What fed this analysis
- Apps analyzed:
- 1
- With full intel:
- 1
- With overview:
- 1
- Website scraped:
- yes
- Social presence:
- yes
