Open: Breathwork + Meditation

Open positions itself at the crossroads of neuroscience and breathwork tradition, offering guided classes across breathing techniques, meditation, and movement. Released in early 2021 and still receiving updates as recently as mid-2026, it has earned a 4.88 store rating from over 17,000 reviewers, which is genuinely high for a wellness app. The 205 MB footprint is reasonable, and the free entry point lowers the barrier to try it before committing to any paid tier.

Breathwork as the Core Differentiator

Most meditation apps treat breath as a secondary tool. Open puts it front and center, drawing on peer-reviewed neuroscience to frame techniques for nervous system regulation rather than vague relaxation. That framing matters because it gives users a concrete reason to return, not just a mood boost but a measurable physiological goal. The science-first angle separates it from competitors that lean entirely on ambient music and gentle voices.

Studio Tie-In and Real-World Reach

Open operates a physical flagship studio in Los Angeles, which is an unusual move for a digital wellness app. That physical anchor suggests the in-app content is built to a standard meant to hold up alongside in-person instruction, not just fill screen time. For most users outside LA, the studio is irrelevant, but its existence signals a seriousness about production quality that comes through in how the app is maintained and updated.

Who Actually Gets the Most from This

Open suits users who find pure silence-based meditation apps too passive and want something more structured and physically engaging. If you are curious about box breathing, cyclic sighing, or similar techniques backed by neurobiological research, this is a focused home for that practice. Casual dabblers may find the depth a bit much, and anyone outside the iOS or Android ecosystem should confirm compatibility before assuming availability.