Software · head to head
Headspace vs Athenahealth
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Headspace paid subscription required for unlimited access; free tier is limited; Athenahealth high implementation costs ranging up to $50,000+ for enterprise deployments
- They diverge on capability: Headspace covers Guided meditations, Athenahealth covers Electronic Health Records.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Headspace and Athenahealth actually diverge.
| Attribute | Headspace | Athenahealth |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $12.99/month | $140/month |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2010 | 1997 |
Identical on both: pricing model (Unknown), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Headspace
- Guided meditations
- Sleep stories
- Focus playlists
- Breathing exercises
- SOS sessions
- Apple Health
- Google Fit
- Apple Watch
Only in Athenahealth
- Electronic Health Records
- Medical Billing
- Patient Engagement
- Telehealth
- Analytics
- Labs
- Pharmacies
- Clearinghouses
Both cover
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Headspace
- Workout trackingnot Athenahealth
- Nutrition managementnot Athenahealth
- Health monitoringnot Athenahealth
- Fitness coachingnot Athenahealth
- Wellness improvementnot Athenahealth
Athenahealth
- Patient Carenot Headspace
- Medical Recordsnot Headspace
- Practice Managementnot Headspace
- Telehealthnot Headspace
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Headspace
- Paid subscription required for unlimited access; free tier is limited
- Mobile-first design means web experience is less feature-complete than mobile apps
- Limited integration with other health and fitness apps compared to some competitors
- Coaching services available only at higher tiers or additional cost
Athenahealth
- High implementation costs ranging up to $50,000+ for enterprise deployments
- Pricing tiers not transparently listed, requiring custom quotes
Pricing, plan by plan
Headspace
$12.99/month- Monthly$12.99/month
- Unlimited meditation access
- Sleep content
- Focus music
- Annual$69.99/year
- Same as monthly
- 14-day free trial
- Student$9.99/year
- Full access with student verification
Athenahealth
$140/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Athenahealth review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Headspace if
- You need guided meditations.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro.
- You also want sleep stories.
Choose Athenahealth if
- You need electronic health records.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want medical billing.
Questions people ask
- Is Headspace or Athenahealth better?
- Neither clearly leads. Headspace starts at $12.99/month and Athenahealth at $140/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Headspace or Athenahealth?
- Headspace starts at $12.99/month and Athenahealth at $140/month.
- Does Headspace or Athenahealth run on more platforms?
- Headspace runs on iOS, Android, Web, macOS, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro. Athenahealth runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- What is Headspace best used for?
- Headspace is most often used for workout tracking, nutrition management, health monitoring, fitness coaching. Of those, workout tracking and nutrition management are not what Athenahealth is typically brought in for.
- What can Headspace do that Athenahealth cannot?
- Headspace covers Guided meditations, Sleep stories, Focus playlists, Breathing exercises. Athenahealth covers Electronic Health Records, Medical Billing, Patient Engagement, Telehealth. Both handle Web support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Headspace: How much does Headspace cost?
Headspace offers a monthly plan at $12.99/month or annual plan at $69.99/year (approximately $5.83/month). Students can subscribe for $9.99/year. A 14-day free trial is available. HSA and FSA eligible options support pre-tax payments.
SourceAthenahealth: What platforms does Athenahealth serve?
Athenahealth's athenaOne serves small to medium-sized physician practices and hospitals with integrated clinical, financial, and operational workflows.
SourceHeadspace: What content does Headspace include?
Headspace includes 1,000+ expert-led exercises covering meditation, stress relief, sleep resources including sleepcasts and soundscapes, anxiety management tools, and optional mental health coaching services with trained mindfulness experts.
SourceAthenahealth: What is the pricing model for athenaOne?
Athenahealth uses customized pricing with percent-based or encounter-based models. Starting price reported at $140/month with implementation costs ranging from $5,000-$20,000 for small businesses.
SourceHeadspace: On which platforms can I use Headspace?
Headspace is available on iOS, Android, web browsers, Mac, Apple Watch Series 6+, and Apple Vision Pro. Smart home integration with Google Assistant and Alexa allows hands-free access on compatible devices.
SourceAthenahealth: Does Athenahealth include revenue cycle management?
Yes, athenaOne includes network-driven claims scrubbing with 95%+ first-pass rates, denial management, and A/R optimization.
SourceHeadspace: Does Headspace offer therapy or coaching?
Headspace includes meditation and mindfulness training led by trained experts. Mental health coaching is available as an add-on service. For therapy, users seeking clinical counseling should explore Headspace's mental health services or other dedicated therapy platforms.
SourceAthenahealth: What patient engagement features does Athenahealth offer?
Athenahealth provides athenaCommunicator for patient portals, automated appointment reminders, online scheduling, telehealth integration, digital intake, and broadcast messaging.
SourceHeadspace: Is Headspace research-backed?
Yes. Headspace describes itself as the most research-backed meditation app on the market with 500+ hours of guided content, peer-reviewed studies demonstrating efficacy, and Ebb AI personalization that adapts sessions to user mood.
SourceAthenahealth: How many pre-built integrations does Athenahealth have?
Athenahealth's marketplace includes over 250 pre-integrated third-party apps, allowing practices to extend functionality without custom development.
Source