What it does
Expand is a meditation and wellness app that uses what it calls "Monroe Sound Science"—a form of audio technology—to guide users into deep states of relaxation and expanded awareness. The app provides a library of guided audio experiences for various goals like healing, joy, and sleep. Beyond passive listening, it incorporates community features like groups and events, a reflective journaling tool, and a customizable unguided timer.
Where it shines
Expand excels at creating an ecosystem that supports a user's entire wellness practice, not just the meditation itself. The post-session journaling flow (02:28) is a great example, seamlessly transitioning the user from listening to active reflection by prompting for a rating and written entry. The community integration is another strength; users can join groups like the "Monroe Institute" (01:13) and even RSVP to live, community-hosted virtual events (06:13), adding a layer of social connection and accountability.
UX highlights
- Value-first onboarding. The app immediately offers a full 5-minute audio sample (00:13) before asking for any user input, demonstrating its core value upfront.
- Content filtering is robust. The filter sheet (01:27) allows users to narrow down experiences by duration, type (guided/unguided), and status (free, favorited), making the library easy to navigate.
- Journaling is well-integrated. After each session, a prompt to journal (02:35) encourages a consistent reflective practice and builds a valuable personal history within the app.
- Offline access is straightforward. A clear "Download" button (01:46) on each session page allows for easy offline listening, a crucial feature for a media-heavy app.
- Community features are accessible. Groups and events are not hidden away but are easily reachable from the user's main profile page, encouraging participation.
- Customizable unguided timer. The timer (07:12) goes beyond a simple countdown, letting users mix and match proprietary audio "Signals" and background sounds for a self-directed practice.
Monetization & growth
Monetization is handled through a soft paywall for an "Expand Plus" subscription, which is not presented during the initial onboarding. The user encounters it organically when scrolling the main feed (03:26) or when trying to access locked features in the timer (07:50). The paywall itself (03:30) presents two options, Monthly and Yearly, highlighting the yearly plan as the "Best Value" with a significant discount. It uses a list of feature highlights to communicate the benefits of upgrading.
Who it’s for
Expand seems designed for individuals serious about building a deep and consistent meditation practice, rather than casual users. The emphasis on "Sound Science," journaling, and community groups suggests a target audience interested in personal growth, self-exploration, and connecting with like-minded people. The unguided timer also caters to more experienced meditators who may want to customize their sessions without constant vocal guidance.
Notes & opportunities
The app offers a polished and feature-rich experience. One small point of friction is the direct presentation of the ATT prompt during onboarding (00:59) without a warm-up screen to explain the benefits of opting in. In the main app, while filtering is powerful, the sheer number of content categories could potentially overwhelm a new user. A more guided discovery path on the home screen could help surface the most relevant content for a user's selected interests.