9 Best Sleep Sound Apps For Your Phone

App Name	Best For	Key Features	AC Rating	Pricing
Life7	Complete mental wellness and sleep	Binaural beats, multi-color noise options, breathing exercises	4.8/5	Free trial, subscription plans available
BetterSleep	Creating custom sound mixes	300+ sounds, sleep stories, smart alarm	4.7/5	Free version, premium subscription
Calm	Celebrity narrated sleep stories	Sleep stories, meditation, breathing exercises	4.6/5	Free basic, annual subscription
Headspace	Guided meditation and mindfulness	Sleepcasts, mindfulness exercises, daily content	4.5/5	Free trial, monthly or yearly plans
Pzizz	Science backed sleep sequences	Dreamscapes, AI personalization, focus mode	4.5/5	Free classic version, Pro subscription
Noisli	Simple ambient sound mixing	16+ nature sounds, custom combos, timer	4.4/5	Low cost one time purchase
Insight Timer	Free meditation content	100,000+ free sessions, live events, community	4.6/5	Mostly free, optional premium
White Noise Lite	Basic white noise loops	50+ sounds, custom recording, background play	4.3/5	Free with ads, premium upgrade
Sleep Sounds by Sleep Pillow	Quick relaxation with nature sounds	High quality recordings, sound mixes, timer	4.4/5	Free sounds, paid sound packs

#1. Life7 — Best for Complete Mental Wellness and Sleep

Life7 is an all in one mental wellness app that goes way beyond basic sleep sounds. It offers everything you need to relax, unwind, and fall asleep fast. You get access to green noise, white noise, brown noise, pink noise, and more.

The app also features binaural beats, isochronic tones, and special frequencies like 432 Hz and 528 Hz. These sound therapies are designed to calm your mind and prepare your body for deep rest. With over 312 million meditation minutes tracked and 1200+ editorial mentions, Life7 has proven itself as a trusted wellness companion.

What sets Life7 apart is its backdrop mode. This lets you mix soundscapes with other audio like sleep stories, meditations, and more.

Key Features:

• Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma wave music with pure binaural beats
• Bedtime stories for adults and children plus breathing exercises and SOS panic sessions
• Gamified experience with XP rewards, streak tracking, and a custom wellness dashboard

What I like: I really appreciate how Life7 combines so many tools in one place. You get sleep sounds, guided meditations, hypnotherapy, CBT sessions, and even lucid dreaming guides. The 8D sleep audio is really immersive and helps me zone out fast. I also love the daily sessions that keep things fresh. The mood tracking feature helps me see patterns in my sleep habits over time.

What I don’t like: The free version is a bit limited. You really need a subscription to unlock the full library. But there is a 7 day free trial and frequent special offers that make it worth trying.

Pricing: 7 day free trial, then weekly, monthly, or yearly subscription plans available

Platforms: iOS and Android

#2. BetterSleep — Best for Creating Custom Sound Mixes

BetterSleep takes a scientific approach to sleep sounds. The app uses different tones and frequencies designed to relax your mind and help you drift off. With over 300 sounds and music tracks, you have tons of options to build your perfect sleep mix.

The app includes nature sounds, ASMR sounds, white noise, meditation music, and binaural beats. You can layer these together to create something unique. Over 65 million people have used BetterSleep to improve their rest.

Key Features:

• Smart sound mixing with the ability to save and replay your favorite combos
• Sleep stories and guided meditations for both adults and kids
• Built in sleep tracker to monitor your rest patterns

What I like: I love how easy it is to create my own soundscape. You just pick the sounds you want, adjust each volume level, and save it. The app remembers your preferences and even suggests new combos. The sleep tracker is really helpful for understanding my habits.

What I don’t like: The full library requires a premium subscription. Some users also report occasional audio glitches where sounds pause briefly during playback.

Pricing: Free version with limited sounds, premium subscription for full access

Platforms: iOS and Android

#3. Calm — Best for Celebrity Narrated Sleep Stories

Calm is one of the most popular sleep apps out there. It is known for its high quality sleep stories narrated by famous voices like Matthew McConaughey and Harry Styles. The app also has an extensive library of meditation sessions and relaxing music.

Beyond sleep, Calm offers tools for stress relief, focus, and daily mindfulness. The Daily Calm feature gives you a short meditation each day to start things fresh.

Key Features:

• Sleep stories narrated by celebrities with new content added regularly
• Breathing exercises and guided meditation for stress and anxiety
• Calm for Kids section with age appropriate stories and meditations

What I like: The sleep stories are amazing quality. The celebrity voices add something special and the stories are designed to be engaging but not too exciting. The app looks beautiful and feels relaxing just to use. I also appreciate the variety of meditation programs available.

What I don’t like: Calm is one of the pricier options out there. The subscription cost is higher than many competitors and the free content is quite limited.

Pricing: Limited free access, premium annual subscription required for full features

Platforms: iOS and Android

#4. Headspace — Best for Guided Meditation and Mindfulness

Headspace started as a meditation app and has grown to include sleep sounds and sleepcasts. Sleepcasts are like audio tours designed to help you wind down. They combine calming narration with ambient sounds.

The app is based on evidence backed mindfulness techniques. It offers programs for stress, focus, sleep, and overall mental health. Headspace is used by millions of people around the world.

Key Features:

• Sleepcasts that blend calming voices with ambient sounds for easy sleep
• Guided meditation courses for beginners and advanced users
• Family plan available so everyone in your home can benefit

What I like: Headspace does a great job teaching meditation basics. The animations and explanations make mindfulness feel approachable. The sleepcasts are really creative and transport you to peaceful places. I also like that student discounts are available.

What I don’t like: The app focuses more on meditation than pure sleep sounds. If you just want white noise or nature sounds, other apps might be a better fit.

Pricing: Free trial available, monthly or yearly subscription options

Platforms: iOS and Android

#5. Pzizz — Best for Science Backed Sleep Sequences

Pzizz uses a patented system to create dreamscapes that change every night. The app combines music, voiceovers, and sound effects based on clinical research. This variety keeps your brain from getting bored with the same sounds.

The app was even endorsed by Steve Jobs. It features sleep, nap, and focus modules so you can use it throughout your day. Over 100 billion unique sequences are possible.

Key Features:

• Algorithmically remixed sounds that create a unique experience each session
• Separate modules for sleep, power naps, and focus work
• Customizable voiceover with male and female options

What I like: I really appreciate that Pzizz changes things up every night. My brain never gets used to the same loop. The nap module is perfect for quick recharges during the day. Celebrity users like JK Rowling have publicly praised this app.

What I don’t like: Some users find the premium price steep. The free classic version is very limited and does not include the variety that makes Pzizz special.

Pricing: Free classic version, Pro subscription for full features

Platforms: iOS and Android

#6. Noisli — Best for Simple Ambient Sound Mixing

Noisli keeps things simple. It offers 16 high quality nature and ambient sounds that you can mix together. There are no complicated menus or extras. Just pick your sounds, adjust the volume, and relax.

The app is popular with students and remote workers who need background noise. It also works great for sleep and relaxation.

Key Features:

• 16 ambient sounds including rain, thunder, wind, and white noise variants
• Offline mode so you can use it anywhere without internet
• Timer with fade out function for falling asleep or working in sessions

What I like: Noisli is refreshingly straightforward. I can open the app and start a soundscape in seconds. The sounds are high quality and loop seamlessly. The colorful interface is calming and the timer fade out is perfect for drifting off.

What I don’t like: The sound library is smaller than competitors. If you want variety or sleep stories, Noisli will feel limited.

Pricing: Low cost one time purchase

Platforms: iOS and Android

#7. Insight Timer — Best for Free Meditation Content

Insight Timer offers one of the largest free libraries of meditation and sleep content. You get access to over 100,000 guided sessions without paying anything. The app also hosts live events with mindfulness experts.

Community features let you connect with other meditators around the world. For sleep, there are plenty of music tracks and nature sounds to choose from.

Key Features:

• 100,000+ free guided meditations and sleep tracks
• Live events and courses from mindfulness teachers
• Community features including group meditation and discussion

What I like: The amount of free content is incredible. I have discovered so many amazing teachers and styles through Insight Timer. The nature playlists for sleep are lovely and the community aspect adds extra motivation to keep practicing.

What I don’t like: The app can feel overwhelming with so much content. Finding exactly what you want sometimes takes time. Premium features add cost if you want offline access.

Pricing: Mostly free, optional premium subscription for extras

Platforms: iOS and Android

#8. White Noise Lite — Best for Basic White Noise Loops

White Noise Lite is a simple app for people who just want reliable background sounds. It includes over 50 sounds ranging from fans and air conditioners to rain and ocean waves. You can adjust pitch, volume, and balance.

The app also lets you record your own sounds and add them to the mix. It runs in the background so you can use other apps while listening.

Key Features:

• Over 50 sounds with the ability to download more from the White Noise Market
• Custom recording feature to capture your favorite real world sounds
• MixPad for layering multiple sounds together

What I like: White Noise Lite does one thing really well. It gives you clean, looping sounds that mask outside noise. The recording feature is fun and useful. I recorded my fan and now I can take that sound anywhere.

What I don’t like: The interface looks dated compared to newer apps. Ads appear in the free version which can be distracting.

Pricing: Free with ads, premium upgrade removes ads and adds features

Platforms: iOS and Android

#9. Sleep Sounds by Sleep Pillow — Best for Quick Relaxation with Nature Sounds

Sleep Sounds by Sleep Pillow is a straightforward app with high quality nature recordings. The sounds are pre mastered for sleep and relaxation. You can combine up to three sounds to create custom mixes.

The app has been featured on ABC, CBS, and the Wall Street Journal. Over 9 million happy customers use it regularly.

Key Features:

• Naturally recorded sounds designed to isolate distractions and induce sleep
• Timer with slow fade out and alarm with gentle fade in
• App runs in the background and while the device is locked

What I like: The sound quality is excellent. I can not tell when the recordings loop which makes falling asleep much easier. The simple design means I do not waste time navigating menus. The timer fade out is gentle and natural.

What I don’t like: Premium sound packs cost extra. The free version only lets you save one custom mix which limits creativity.

Pricing: Free with basic sounds, paid sound packs for expanded library

Platforms: iOS and Android

Do Sleep Sound Apps Really Help You Fall Asleep?

Yes, sleep sound apps can genuinely help many people fall asleep faster. The science behind this is pretty simple. Ambient sounds create a consistent audio environment that masks sudden noises like traffic or doors slamming. Your brain stops being on alert for unexpected sounds and relaxes.

Research shows that nature sounds in particular can activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the part of your body responsible for rest and relaxation. Apps like Life7 take this further by using specific frequencies and binaural beats that are designed to guide your brainwaves into sleep states.

Of course, results vary from person to person. Some people respond better to white noise while others prefer rain or ocean waves. The best approach is to experiment with different apps and sounds to find what works for you.

What Is the Difference Between White, Pink, and Brown Noise?

White noise contains all sound frequencies at equal intensity. It sounds like static or a hissing TV. Many people use it because it effectively masks other sounds.

Pink noise has more power in the lower frequencies. This makes it sound deeper and more balanced to human ears. Examples include steady rain or wind through leaves. Studies suggest pink noise may even improve memory during sleep.

Brown noise goes even deeper with emphasis on bass frequencies. It sounds like a low rumble similar to thunder or a strong waterfall. Some people find brown noise more soothing than white noise.

Apps like Life7 offer green noise, pink noise, brown noise, and more. Trying different color noises can help you discover which one relaxes you most.

Are Sleep Sound Apps Safe to Use Every Night?

Yes, using sleep sound apps every night is generally safe for most people. There is no evidence that ambient sounds cause harm when used at reasonable volumes. In fact, consistent use can help train your brain to associate certain sounds with sleep.

The main thing to watch is volume level. Playing sounds too loud through earbuds can damage your hearing over time. Keep the volume at a comfortable level where it masks noise without being harsh.

If you use headphones, consider sleep specific designs that are flat and comfortable. Some people prefer playing sounds through a speaker instead. This avoids any discomfort from wearing earbuds all night.

Overall, sleep sound apps are a safe and natural way to improve your rest. They do not have the side effects of sleep medications and can become a healthy part of your nightly routine.