Community-ranked guide
Free Self-Care Apps in 2026
Looking after yourself should not need a subscription. These self-care, mindfulness and wellbeing apps are tagged free on MindScout, meaning they can be used without paying.
They are ranked by community likes. Some also offer optional paid upgrades; check the app page for details.
Our picks at a glance
- 1
App Pause: Mindful Screen Timebest for mindfulnessFree, in-app purchases from $1.69 - 2
Forest: Focus for Productivitybest for productivityFree, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads - 3
Wellness Whizzbest for self-careSee website - 4
Flexor: Stretch & Flexibilitybest for self-careFree, in-app purchases from $9.99 - 5
Insight Timerbest for meditationFree, in-app purchases from $1.99 - 6
LuriaLabbest for ADHDSee website - 7
Sup - Better Habitsbest for ADHDFree - 8
Wysabest for AI companionFree, in-app purchases from $0.99 - 9
InnerMotionbest for anxietySee website
Compare the 9 apps
| App | Best for | App Store | Google Play | Pricing | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1App Pause: Mindful Screen Time | Mindfulness | — | 4.6★ (350) | Free, in-app purchases from $1.69 | Android |
| 2Forest: Focus for Productivity | Productivity | 4.8★ (49.6K) | 4.3★ (814K) | Free, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads | iOSAndroid |
| 3Wellness Whizz | Self-care | — | — | — | — |
| 4Flexor: Stretch & Flexibility | Self-care | Few ratings yet | Few ratings yet | Free, in-app purchases from $9.99 | iOSAndroid |
| 5Insight Timer | Meditation | 4.9★ (449K) | 4.7★ (264K) | Free, in-app purchases from $1.99 | iOSAndroid |
| 6LuriaLab | ADHD | — | — | — | — |
| 7Sup - Better Habits | ADHD | 4.5★ (5.0K) | — | Free | iOS |
| 8Wysa | AI companion | 4.8★ (24.5K) | 4.5★ (152K) | Free, in-app purchases from $0.99 | iOSAndroid |
| 9InnerMotion | Anxiety | — | — | — | — |
How we evaluated these apps
- Every app is listed on MindScout and was reviewed by our team before it was published.
- Apps are ordered by likes from the MindScout community.
- Ratings and the number of ratings come from the public App Store and Google Play listings.
- Pricing is taken from those listings: the price, in-app purchases and whether the app shows ads.
- Store data is refreshed regularly; check the store for the latest price in your country.
1. App Pause: Mindful Screen Time: Best for mindfulness
Reduce screen time with mindful pause.
Google Play- Platforms
- Android
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $1.69
- MindScout likes
- 4
Tired of doomscrolling? App Pause helps you cut screen time by adding a customizable delay when opening apps. This simple pause gives you a moment to break the habit of mindless scrolling. When you launch an app, a waiting screen shows your usage stats, letting you mindfully decide whether to proceed or close it. Features like Grace Periods and a Floating Timer help you stay focused. Ditch app addiction and use your phone with intention. Download App Pause to build healthier digital habits!
2. Forest: Focus for Productivity: Best for productivity
Gamified Pomodoro timer that grows trees while you focus
- Platforms
- iOSAndroid
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads
- MindScout likes
- 4
Forest turns your focus sessions into a virtual forest: plant a seed, put down your phone, and grow a tree. Leave early and it dies. Earn coins to unlock tree species, set timers (Pomodoro or stopwatch), create app allow‑lists, track stats, compete with friends, and even plant real trees via a tree‑planting partner. It’s charming, motivational, and helps beat phone distraction.
3. Wellness Whizz: Best for self-care
Free supplement quiz with study references and safety notes
- Platforms
- See website
- Pricing
- See website
- MindScout likes
- 2
Explore supplement information with a free quiz based on goals, diet and lifestyle. Get a shortlist with explanations, study references, typical doses and safety notes. Includes supplement guides, a protein calculator and a photo-based shelf scanner. English and Spanish; no account or paywall. Educational information, not diagnosis or treatment. Disclosed affiliate links support the site.
4. Flexor: Stretch & Flexibility: Best for self-care
Guided stretching and mobility with video, audio and offline core routines.
- Platforms
- iOSAndroid
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $9.99
- MindScout likes
- 1
Flexor is a guided stretching and mobility app for iPhone and Android from Flexor Labs. Choose routines by body area, goal, difficulty or duration and follow video demos, spoken guidance and timers. Core exercises and routines work offline. It includes reminders, custom routines and progress tracking. Free to use, with optional Premium subscriptions for additional personalization and AI features. General wellness guidance only; not medical advice.
5. Insight Timer: Best for meditation
Free guided meditations & music for calm
- Platforms
- iOSAndroid
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $1.99
- MindScout likes
- 1
Insight Timer is the #1 free meditation app, offering guided meditations, sleep tracks, talks by mindfulness experts, neuroscientists, and psychologists, plus music and tools to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and support mindfulness.
6. LuriaLab: Best for ADHD
Free mental health screenings online
- Platforms
- See website
- Pricing
- See website
- MindScout likes
- 1
Free online screenings for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more, in 18 languages. Educational self-assessment only; not a clinical diagnosis.
7. Sup - Better Habits: Best for ADHD
Add notes to your reminders to track progress and record important info.
- Platforms
- iOS
- Pricing
- Free
- MindScout likes
- 1
Add notes to your reminders to track progress and record important info. Simple, quick, and organised. Most habit tracker apps fail because your brain learns to ignore predictable notifications. By day three, that 6pm workout alarm is invisible. Sup is different. It uses randomised timing and fresh personalised prompts to keep your brain engaged. Every message feels new so you actually act on it. Build the habits that shape the person you want to be: * Mental health check-ins at random times
- Mental health check-ins at random times
8. Wysa: Best for AI companion
AI companion for mental health & resilience
- Platforms
- iOSAndroid
- Pricing
- Free, in-app purchases from $0.99
- MindScout likes
- 1
Wysa is an AI-driven mental health app featuring an empathetic chatbot (“Pocket Penguin Coach”) for 24/7 support through CBT, DBT, journaling, breathing exercises, guided mindfulness, mood tracking, and optional human coaching.
9. InnerMotion: Best for anxiety
Free guided breathing app for calmer days and better sleep.
- Platforms
- See website
- Pricing
- See website
- MindScout likes
- 0
InnerMotion is a free, calming breathing app for stress and sleep. Choose from nine guided breathing rhythms, from a gentle everyday reset to slow bedtime patterns, and follow a soothing voice with optional music. Wind down at night with the glowing Sleep Lantern, collect a star in My Sky for every session, and invite friends to Breathe Together. Completely free: no ads, subscriptions or sign-up. Your progress stays private on your device. Works in any browser and installs to your phone.
Best free options
- App Pause: Mindful Screen Time: Free, in-app purchases from $1.69
- Forest: Focus for Productivity: Free, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads
- Flexor: Stretch & Flexibility: Free, in-app purchases from $9.99
- Insight Timer: Free, in-app purchases from $1.99
- Sup - Better Habits: Free
- Wysa: Free, in-app purchases from $0.99
How to choose
Check what stays free: some apps are fully free, others free with ads or with optional paid extras.
Pick one area to start with, such as mood, sleep, breathing or habits, rather than several apps at once.
Look at the store rating and the number of ratings together; a high rating from many people is more telling.
Keep notifications gentle; a self-care app should not become another source of pressure.
Frequently asked questions
Are these self-care apps completely free?
They are usable for free. Some have optional paid tiers or in-app purchases, so check the app page if you want to avoid any subscription.
What counts as a self-care app?
Apps that help you look after your mental and physical wellbeing: mood and habit tracking, meditation, journaling, breathing and routines.
How are these apps ranked?
By likes from the MindScout community.
Which of these apps are free?
6 of the 9 apps here can be used for free: App Pause: Mindful Screen Time (free, in-app purchases from $1.69); Forest: Focus for Productivity (free, in-app purchases from $0.99, contains ads); Flexor: Stretch & Flexibility (free, in-app purchases from $9.99); Insight Timer (free, in-app purchases from $1.99); Sup - Better Habits (free); Wysa (free, in-app purchases from $0.99). Store pricing can differ by country.