Do Meditation Apps Really Work?

In recent years, meditation has undergone a digital transformation. What was once a practice predominantly taught in person with guidance from experienced practitioners has now become widely accessible through smartphones, tablets, and video conferencing platforms. But do meditation apps really work? Or Zoom?

As these digital meditation tools become increasingly integrated into our daily routines, many practitioners wonder about their effectiveness compared to traditional in-person practices. Are these technological adaptations merely convenient substitutes, or can they provide the same benefits as their traditional counterparts? Let’s dive into some of the science.

Meditation Apps in the Workplace

Recent research from the University of California, San Francisco provides compelling evidence that digital meditation platforms can offer meaningful benefits. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, examined the effects of a workplace digital mindfulness intervention on employee wellbeing. Researchers found that participants who engaged with a smartphone-based mindfulness program for eight weeks showed significant improvements compared to control groups.

“Our team found significant, sustained improvements in well-being, job strain, and blood pressure, particularly for participants who meditated more,” wrote first author Rachel Radin, PhD,  a psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at UCSF. “This study confirms prior findings indicating psychological benefits of mindfulness practice for employees and extends them to a digital platform.”

The research team noted that these benefits were comparable to those typically observed in traditional in-person mindfulness-based stress reduction programs. Particularly encouraging was the finding that even short, consistent sessions of 10-15 minutes showed measurable benefits, suggesting that the accessibility and convenience of digital platforms might encourage the regular practice necessary for positive outcomes. This research represents an important step in validating the effectiveness of digital meditation tools in real-world settings.

The Zen of Zoom

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, Zoom has become as ubiquitous as Google in our collective vocabulary. Since then it has also become a popular format for meditation. Though the quarantines are over, many people still enjoy the convenience of meditation from their homes and phones.

Zoom meditation hasn’t been studied in the same scientific capacity as meditation apps, there are plenty of anecdotal reports of its benefits. 

Daily Zoom meditation groups have improved participants’ lives by providing structure, accountability, and community support. Many practitioners report that the scheduled nature of these sessions helps maintain consistency in their practice, while the presence of others—even virtually—creates a sense of shared intention that can deepen the meditation experience.

Lynn Rossy, PhD, a psychologist who specializes in mindfulness meditation, writes that virtual group sessions can create meaningful connections despite physical distance. Participants report experiencing a unique form of intimacy through these shared virtual practices, with many finding that group energy remains palpable even through a screen. For individuals with limited access to in-person meditation communities due to geographic location, mobility issues, or time constraints, these virtual gatherings provide an opportunity to connect with like-minded practitioners and receive guidance from experienced teachers who might otherwise be inaccessible.

Challenges of Digital Meditation

Despite its benefits, digital meditation comes with several challenges worth considering. Technology issues remain a common obstacle, particularly for those less familiar with online platforms.

Accessibility presents a concern, as participation requires adequate devices and reliable internet access. While many people have these resources readily available, others may face barriers to entry that don’t exist with traditional meditation practices that require minimal equipment. Additionally, meditation apps may have associated subscription costs that might be prohibitive for some users.

Others may simply be dubious of online and digital meditation because it may seem artificial or antithetical to in-person practice. There is nothing like being in a room together with fellow practitioners. In-person meditation allows teachers to observe subtle body language and facial expressions that indicate a student’s comfort, attention, or confusion. These nuances are harder to detect through a screen, making it essential for instructors to create ample space for discussion and questions.

Nonetheless, digital meditation—whether through apps or Zoom sessions—cam offer benefits that make mindfulness practice more accessible than ever before.

As digital meditation continues to evolve, finding the approach that works best for your specific needs may involve some experimentation. Ultimately the only way to find out if meditation apps really work is to try them for yourself. Whether you choose app-based guidance, virtual group sessions, or a combination of digital and traditional practices, consistency remains the key to experiencing the benefits.

A note on our sources for “Do Meditation Apps Really Work?”:

Still Sitting is committed to writing and researching articles that are accurate and informative. We know there are many places to find information online. So, we work hard to ensure that we are a trusted source for all of our readers. This blog is intended to help you learn about our products and the cultural subjects that we hold dear. As part of this commitment, we include the sources we use to write our posts:

JAMA: Digital Meditation and Employee Stress
Lynn Rossy on Zoom Meditation
Vogue: How a Zoom Meditation Group Transformed my Life

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