In the last quarter of 2024, meditation app Headspace saw around one million downloads worldwide, down by roughly 40 percent compared to the 1.7 million downloads recorded in the first quarter in 2023. Headspace, which launched in 2012, is a meditation and mindfulness app popular for its recognizable animations. In 2020, the app maintained an average of three million for its quarterly downloads. In the same year, meditation apps experienced an increase in popularity due to the global outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, which for many has signified the worsening of anxiety and stress symptoms.

In January 2025, meditation app Calm was the highest-grossing health-related app worldwide, with in-app revenues of approximately eight million U.S. dollars in the examined period. Headspace ranked second, with around four million U.S. dollars in revenues. Both Calm and Headspace offer a limited free trial period before redirecting users towards its subscription options. The sleep-tracking gaming app Pokémon Sleep ranked third with 3.95 million U.S. dollars in the examined month.

During the last quarter of 2024, meditation and mental well-being app Headspace generated approximately 11 million U.S. dollars in IAP revenues worldwide. Headspace is a gamified mindfulness app that proposes to guide users through meditation and stress relief practices organized at progressive levels.

According to a survey conducted among consumers in the United States in January 2023, ** percent of users aged between 18 and 24 years reported having used mobile mental wellness apps such as Calm or Headspace, and to like them. In comparison, only **** percent of users aged 35 and over reported holding the same experience. Approximately ** percent of users in the latter demographic reported not having used meditation and mental wellness app, as well as not planning to in the future.

The self-care app market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing awareness of mental and physical well-being, coupled with the rising adoption of smartphones and readily available mobile applications. The market, estimated at $5 billion in 2025, is projected to exhibit a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2025 to 2033, reaching an estimated $15 billion by 2033. Key drivers include the increasing prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression, particularly among young adults and office workers, leading to a greater demand for accessible and convenient mental health support. The convenience and anonymity offered by self-care apps are also significant factors, attracting users who might otherwise hesitate to seek professional help. Furthermore, the market is segmented by application (student, office worker, others) and type (health management, psychological adjustment, others). The “health management” category currently holds a larger market share, owing to the growing popularity of fitness trackers and health monitoring features integrated within these apps. However, the "psychological adjustment" segment shows considerable growth potential, driven by increased mental health awareness and the integration of mindfulness techniques and guided meditation into many applications. Competition is fierce, with established players like Calm and Headspace vying for market share against a host of emerging niche players offering specialized features and functionalities. Geographic distribution is also noteworthy, with North America and Europe currently dominating the market due to higher per capita disposable income and greater digital literacy. However, Asia Pacific is projected to witness rapid growth in the forecast period due to increasing smartphone penetration and rising awareness of mental health issues in developing economies. The market's growth trajectory hinges on several factors. Continued technological advancements, including the development of more sophisticated AI-powered features like personalized recommendations and improved user interface designs, will attract more users. Strategic partnerships between app developers and healthcare providers, such as telehealth platforms and therapists, are also crucial in expanding the reach and credibility of self-care apps. However, restraints such as data privacy concerns, the potential for inaccurate self-diagnosis, and the lack of personalized support for users with complex mental health conditions remain significant challenges. Addressing these concerns through robust data security measures, integrating accurate information and resources, and offering personalized guidance based on individual needs will be critical for the continued and sustainable growth of this market. The future success of self-care apps lies in their ability to provide effective, reliable, and ethically sound support while maintaining user privacy and trust.

The sleep sound music app market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing awareness of the importance of sleep health and the rising prevalence of sleep disorders. The market, estimated at $2 billion in 2025, is projected to achieve a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2025 to 2033, reaching approximately $7 billion by 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key factors. The convenience and accessibility of smartphone apps offering a wide variety of sleep-inducing sounds, from white noise and nature sounds to guided meditations and ambient music, are major contributors. Furthermore, the integration of features such as sleep tracking, personalized sound mixes, and integration with smart home devices enhances user engagement and drives market growth. The increasing adoption of subscription models by many leading apps, including Calm and Headspace, provides a recurring revenue stream, further supporting market expansion. Competitive pressures among established players such as Relax Melodies and newer entrants are leading to continuous innovation in app features and user experience. While the market demonstrates significant promise, challenges remain. User retention can be a significant issue, with many users downloading apps but not consistently utilizing them. Concerns about data privacy and the potential for app overuse also present obstacles. However, the overall trend points towards a consistently expanding market, driven by consumer demand for effective and convenient solutions to improve sleep quality. The diverse range of apps available, catering to different preferences and needs, further contributes to the market's dynamism. This healthy mix of established players and innovative startups ensures ongoing competition and market innovation, benefiting consumers seeking better sleep.

The global mental health counseling services market is experiencing significant growth, driven by rising prevalence of mental health issues, increasing awareness and destigmatization of mental health conditions, and the expanding adoption of telehealth technologies. The market, estimated at $150 billion in 2025, is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8% from 2025 to 2033. This robust growth is fueled by several key factors. Firstly, the increasing affordability and accessibility of mental healthcare services, particularly through online platforms, are making professional support more readily available to a wider population. Secondly, the integration of technology, such as teletherapy and mobile apps, has broadened access beyond geographical limitations and provided convenient, flexible options for individuals seeking help. Thirdly, a growing recognition of the importance of mental wellbeing in overall health is leading to increased investment in mental healthcare infrastructure and services by both public and private sectors. Despite these positive trends, the market faces certain challenges. These include the persistent shortage of mental health professionals, particularly in underserved areas, and the varying levels of insurance coverage and reimbursement for mental healthcare across different regions. Further, concerns around data privacy and security in online therapy platforms need to be addressed to maintain consumer trust. Market segmentation reveals strong growth in both cloud-based and on-premises solutions, with the cloud-based segment exhibiting faster growth due to its scalability and accessibility. Hospitals and clinics remain the primary users, although the adoption of telehealth is steadily increasing the number of private practices and individuals utilizing these services. North America currently holds the largest market share, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific, with emerging markets in Asia exhibiting considerable growth potential. The market is highly competitive with major players including BetterHelp, Talkspace, Mindful Therapy Group, Psychology Today, Headspace, and TherapyRoute, continuously innovating to improve service delivery and enhance user experiences.

The global market for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) apps is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing awareness of mental health issues, the rising adoption of smartphone technology, and the convenience and accessibility of digital therapeutics. While precise market size figures are not provided, based on industry reports and the listed companies, a reasonable estimate for the 2025 market size could be around $2 billion. Considering the strong growth trajectory indicated by a considerable number of players and the rising demand for accessible mental healthcare solutions, a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% is plausible for the forecast period (2025-2033). This would project the market to reach approximately $8 billion by 2033. This growth is fueled by several key drivers, including the affordability and accessibility of CBT apps compared to traditional therapy, the increasing integration of CBT apps with other healthcare platforms, and the development of more sophisticated and personalized CBT programs. The market is segmented by app type (paid vs. free) and application (stress, anxiety & depression management, meditation, wellness, and others), reflecting the diverse needs and preferences of users seeking mental health support. Market restraints include concerns about data privacy and security, the lack of standardized efficacy measures for digital CBT, and the potential for limited access to effective technology in underserved populations. Despite these challenges, the future of CBT apps appears bright. The continuous development of AI-powered personalization features, gamified CBT programs, and the growing acceptance of digital mental health interventions by healthcare professionals will likely propel market expansion. Furthermore, strategic partnerships between app developers, healthcare providers, and insurance companies will enhance market penetration and integration into mainstream healthcare systems. Geographic expansion, especially in developing economies with expanding internet and smartphone penetration, will further contribute to the market's significant growth potential in the coming decade. The key players mentioned, including established brands like Calm and Headspace, along with emerging innovative companies, are actively shaping the competitive landscape.

As of February 2024, sleep and meditation app Headspace collected 13 types of data from its users on iOS worldwide. Sleep tracking app RISE ranked second with 12 unique data points collected from its users. Among examined sleep apps, the Sleep Easy app collected five unique data points on iOS.

Among all age groups worldwide, those aged 30 to 39 years had the highest percentage of fitness mobile app users. It was estimated that in 2016, around 41 percent of those aged 30 to 39 years used fitness tracking apps to track their health. The popularity of fitness tracking apps has increased significantly within recent years.

App usage

Fitness apps are used to track many aspects of health and wellbeing. Not only are they used for health data such as fitness and nutrition, they can also be used for mental health and chronic illness tracking. Health app users access their apps in a variety of ways. The most common way that health app users accessed their apps was through their mobile phone. When app publishers were asked who they target their apps for, people with chronic illness were most commonly chosen as a target demographic for health apps.

Health app market

Fitness tracking app downloads have dramatically increased in recent years. App diversity and availability have also increased since the popularity of health apps has risen. Since 2015, the number of apps available for download from the Apple store has almost doubled. The top health and fitness app downloaded through the Google Play store in March 2019 was Calorie Counter by MyFitnessPal. The second most downloaded health app at that time was Headspace: Meditation & Sleep.