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Best Yoga Apps

Yoga Studio by Gaiam is our pick for best yoga app for its themed classes, ease of use, and affordability

Looking for a way to improve your yoga practice at home or on the go? With a yoga app, you can access classes, poses, educational content, and motivation all from your smartphone, tablet, or another electronic device. These apps are designed for all abilities, some targeting advanced yogis and others targeting those new to the practice.

While most people think of yoga as a practice designed to improve flexibility, it can also build strength. Aside from its physical benefits, yoga has been shown to improve mental health and reduce anxiety. Yoga apps allow you to access these full-body benefits wherever you are, offering pre-designed routines and the ability to customize a program specific to your needs. Here are our top picks for the best yoga apps.

Best Yoga Apps of 2024

Best Overall : Yoga Studio by Gaiam


Yoga Studio (by Gaiam)

Courtesy of Google Play

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download; subscription costs about $10 per month 
  • Platforms: iOS and Android 
  • Features: Yoga for runners, back pain, prenatal, relaxation, and more 
Why We Chose It

Yoga Studio by Gaiam earns the top spot because its classes focus on specific goals and themes, the app is easy to use, and it’s affordable.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Includes more than 180 ready-made classes for all levels

  • Create your own custom flow from more than 280 poses

  • Comes with guided meditations and relaxation practices

Cons
  • Some features require a subscription 

  • Layout is a bit complicated to navigate

  • Updates often cause glitches in the app

Overview

Yoga Studio is our top pick for yoga apps thanks to its high-quality content, ease of use, and excellent value. With numerous custom classes, yogis of all different levels will find plenty of ways to stay motivated and challenged. Classes focus on specific goals such as flexibility, balance, relaxation, and strength, and also feature different themes such as yoga for back pain, prenatal yoga, and yoga for runners.

You can create your own custom flow using the app’s smart-link feature that allows you to add blocks of poses to classes. Also included in the subscription is the ability to schedule and track classes, access a library of over 280 poses, and choose music or create your own playlists from your music library. You’ll also get more than 15 guided meditations and relaxation practices. Subscriptions are available by the month or year and are extremely reasonably priced for the quality and quantity of features you get.

Best for All Fitness Levels : Down Dog


Down Dog

Courtesy of Google Play

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download; about $10 per month for a premium subscription 
  • Platforms: iOS and Android 
  • Features: Select time, focus, level, voice, and music for a personalized yoga session 
Why We Chose It

Down Dog is known for its inclusiveness, multiple class levels, and ability to customize your yoga practice.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Customize yoga practice to match your level 

  • Vinyasa, Hatha, gentle, restorative, Yin, Ashtanga, chair, and sun salutation practices

  • Ability to choose from 6 different instructor voices to guide your practice

Cons
  • Requires monthly membership to access several features 

  • Focuses more on beginner and intermediate levels

  • Minimal music options with free version

Overview

Down Dog is an app that you can use as you progress in your yoga practice, as it has plenty of lessons and routines for all levels. Choose from various levels, like beginner and expert, plus different practice durations, from five to 80 minutes.

Down Dog offers a non-intimidating entry into yoga while still providing plenty of challenging classes for more advanced yogis. The app generates new sequences of moves and allows you to choose a pace and specific focus, so you never have the same class every time. Instructions are very clear and easy to understand, and you almost feel like you have a real instructor leading you. The free version can give you a feel for the app, but you’ll get better music and more options with the pro subscription.

Best for Community Support : Daily Yoga


Daily Yoga

Courtesy of Google Play

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download; about $10-20 per month for premium subscription 
  • Platforms: iOS and Android 
  • Features: Yoga and meditation classes for all levels, large yoga community 
Why We Chose It

As a Daily Yoga user, you'll have access to one of the best online global communities of yoga practitioners.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Biggest worldwide yoga community

  • New classes updated weekly

  • Includes more than 100 yoga and meditation classes for all levels

Cons
  • Costs significantly more than other yoga apps 

  • Requires subscription to unlock routines, classes, and other features 

  • Might be too advanced and technical for beginners 

Overview

If you love studio yoga for the community support and motivation it offers, Daily Yoga is an app for you to consider. You can engage and interact with its active global community of users, reaching out to share ideas, be inspired, and get advice. Daily Yoga even has weekly activities you can join with others to motivate each other. The monthly pro subscription plan includes more than 100 yoga and meditation classes with options for all levels from beginners to advanced.

Daily Yoga also has numerous multi-week programs, such as Beginner to Intermediate, Pilates for Toned Abs, and Beinner to Intermediate Yoga, which focuses on development. New programs and videos are always being added. The free version has some annoying pop-up ads and access to fewer videos, but is worth trying to give the app a test drive. 

Best for Busy People : Glo


Glo

 Glo

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download; about $30 per month to subscribe
  • Platforms: iOS and Android 
  • Features: Meditation, yoga, Pilates, and lectures
Why We Chose It

Glo offers a wide variety of classes in varying lengths, such as 10, 15, and 20 minutes, making it the perfect app for busy people.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Beginner-friendly content 

  • Offers more than 5,000 classes and 16 styles of yoga

  • Subscription offers educational classes and lectures

Cons
  • Requires upgrade to a premium plan to access most features 

  • More expensive than other yoga apps 

  • Fewer personalized recommendations than other apps 

Overview

With a huge team of qualified, experienced instructors and a wide variety of classes, Glo is a great choice for yogis who can rarely make it to a studio class. You can use the app’s search filters to find the exact type of class you need, whether it’s beginner or advanced, short or long, or for a specific need, such as back pain.

The app has 10-, 15-, and 20-minute classes, so it’s easy to find one when you only have a short block of time for yoga. It’s very beginner-friendly but also offers many challenging classes for when you want to take your yoga to the next level. Plus, you can access classes and lectures to build your yoga knowledge.

Best for Kids : Simply Yoga


Simply Yoga

Courtesy Google Play 

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download and use
  • Platforms: iOS and Android 
  • Features: Classes for adults and kids that last 20 to 60 minutes 
Why We Chose It

Families looking to introduce their kids to yoga can do it for free with the Simply Yoga app.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Classes for adults and kids that last 20 to 60 minutes 

  • Free version has several classes appropriate for beginners

  • Video and audio instruction

Cons
  • Minimal features compared to other yoga apps

  • Advanced sequences and more customization requires an upgrade

  • Free version only has six predefined level one routines

Overview

Simply Yoga is a great no-frills yoga app for adults or kids who want to learn basic yoga poses or start a regular yoga practice. The free version offers six beginner-level sequences with a very simple and user-friendly interface that last 20 to 60 minutes. The videos and voice-over instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

Simply Yoga is a great option for parents who want to try yoga with their kids. If you get bored with the beginner plans, consider upgrading to the paid version for more advanced sequences and more customization. 

Best Budget : Yoga Workout


Yoga Workout

Courtesy of Apple App Store

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download and use
  • Platforms: iOS
  • Features: Beginner yoga lessons, 21-day challenge, and 10-, 20-, and 30-minute classes 
Why We Chose It

If you’re not ready to spend money on an app, then consider Yoga Workout. You get free access to everything on the app.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Content and classes are free

  • Decent app for beginners to get a feel for yoga

  • Includes yoga challenges to keep you motivated

Cons
  • Designed for iOS only

  • Basic design and interface

  • Not as many classes or features as other yoga apps

Overview

Whether you have five or 50 minutes for yoga, Yoga Workout offers many lessons and workouts with clear and expert instructions. The app also features numerous challenges, such as the 21-day Yoga Challenge, to keep you motivated.

Whether you’re at work, traveling, at home, or even in bed, this app makes it easy to do yoga in various situations. But what really sets this app apart from others with similar high-quality content is that it’s completely free to access everything. However, it's only available for iOS devices.

Best for Beginners : Pocket Yoga


Pocket Yoga

Courtesy of Google Play

Key Specs
  • Pricing: About $3 to download
  • Platforms: iOS and Android
  • Features: Classes for all levels, comprehensive pose dictionary, customize levels 
Why We Chose It

Beginners will appreciate the simple instructions, library of poses, and low cost to download the Pocket Yoga app.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • One-time fee to download and use the app

  • Content and classes are kid-friendly

  • Ability to customize by changing difficulty level and duration 

Cons
  • Poses and routines are illustrated 

  • Limited routines and classes

  • No human video instruction 

Overview

If you shy away from the yoga studio because you’re self-conscious or feel like you can’t keep up with the class, Pocket Yoga is a great, beginner-friendly app to try. It’s perfect for those who want a yoga app that they can download (at a very minimal cost) and not worry about being charged a monthly or yearly subscription fee.

The app features a library of over 500 poses, all illustrated and explained in detail. You can search the library by pose type or level of difficulty or browse an alphabetical list. If you prefer routines, there are 27 different animated sessions to choose from, each with precise, gentle instructions. Another great app for kids, Pocket Yoga can be customized by changing the difficulty level or duration for each routine.

Best for the Office : 5 Minute Yoga


5 Minute Yoga

Courtesy of Google Play

Key Specs
  • Pricing: Free to download; about $5 per month for most features
  • Platforms: iOS and Android 
  • Features: Short sessions, clear images, and detailed instructions
Why We Chose It

We chose 5 Minute Yoga because it offers short sessions for all levels and abilities.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • Poses are demonstrated with clear detail and images 

  • Features quick yoga routines no longer than five minutes each

  • Something for all levels

Cons
  • Requires upgrade to a monthly membership to access all content 

  • Minimal content compared to other yoga apps

  • Classes in yoga only

Overview

Another fantastic yoga app for busy people, 5 Minute Yoga features short sessions with simple yet effective yoga poses. Each pose includes clear images and detailed instructions, so it’s ideal for a beginner yogi who wants to improve but doesn’t have time for studio classes.

The 5-minute sessions are perfect for a relaxation break at work, whether in your office, break room, or right in your cubicle. They’re also great to squeeze in during your busy morning routine or before bed. This app offers a short free trial, but after that, you do have to pay for a subscription.

Final Verdict 

Our picks for the best yoga apps include options for beginners, budget-conscious users, kids, varying levels, community support, and busy people. If you want an app that covers a bit of everything, consider Yoga Studio by Gaiam. For about $10 per month, you get yoga classes targeting a variety of themes, and you can customize your practice. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How Much Do Yoga Apps Cost?

    Some yoga apps are free to download, but the free version might include only basic features. Other yoga apps charge a one-time download cost, usually $3 to $5, or they may offer a monthly or yearly membership. Members gain access to more robust features, such as advanced workouts and customization to help them develop their own personal yoga practice. Monthly or yearly subscriptions can range from approximately $5 to $20 per month.

  • What Equipment Do I Need for Yoga?

    Whether practicing yoga at a studio, gym, or home, you'll want to use a yoga mat for stability and cushioning on hardwood floors and other surfaces. Aside from that, you don't need any additional equipment. As you continue your yoga practice, you may find that yoga props such as blocks, straps, bolsters, or wheels are helpful since they're designed to enhance certain postures by offering more support.

  • What Should I Wear for a Yoga Class?

    Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in. Yoga pants are typically a good choice, but shorts are also popular for men and women or those who enjoy hot yoga. Choose comfortable yet form-fitting tops to stay in place while you perform specific postures, such as bending over into a forward fold.

    Look for clothes made of moisture-wicking material, so you stay dry and comfortable. You may want to wear a sports bra, though many yoga tops have sports bras already built in. Most people do yoga barefoot, so you don’t have to wear special shoes or socks.

  • Is Yoga Good for My Health?

    Yoga is good for both your physical and mental health. Physically, it increases flexibility, cardiovascular function, balance, and strength. Mentally, it has been shown to shown to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress to boost overall mental health.

  • How Many Times a Week Should I Practice Yoga?

    There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people enjoy practicing yoga daily, while others find that a few times a week is a good option. To reap the benefits of yoga, try to fit it in at least three times a week.

Methodology 

We looked at 10 online yoga apps before settling on our eight top picks. To make the final list, we considered content quality, class levels and duration, how the poses are demonstrated, and technical difficulty. We also looked at each app's free version versus the paid subscription version. Some apps are functional with the free option, while others need an upgrade to access extra classes, poses, and content, which is common with exercise apps. Rounding out the criteria for selection, we considered the platform required for use. All but one of the apps (Yoga Workout) is available on iOS and Android. 

Woman Following a Yoga Class on Her Mobile Phone using App

FreshSplash / Getty Images

Article Sources
Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. Guddeti RR, Dang G, Williams MA, Alla VM. Role of yoga in cardiac disease and rehabilitation. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev. 2019;39(3):146-52. doi:10.1097/HCR.0000000000000372

  3. Amin DJ, Goodman M. The effects of selected asanas in Iyengar yoga on flexibility: pilot studyJ Bodyw Mov Ther. 2014;18(3):399-404. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.11.008

By Christine Luff, ACE-CPT
Christine Many Luff is a personal trainer, fitness nutrition specialist, and Road Runners Club of America Certified Coach.