9 Best Free Sleep Apps For Your Phone
| App Name | Best For | Key Features | AC Rating | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life7 | Complete mental wellness and sleep | Binaural beats, sleep stories, breathing exercises, CBT tools | 4.8/5 | Free trial, then subscription plans available |
| Calm | Relaxing sleep stories | 500+ sleep stories, celebrity narrations, guided meditations | 4.7/5 | Free version available, premium subscription |
| BetterSleep | Customizable sleep soundscapes | 300+ sleep sounds, sound mixing, guided meditations | 4.6/5 | Free sounds available, premium for full access |
| Insight Timer | Free meditation variety | 100,000+ free meditations, sleep mode, community features | 4.7/5 | Mostly free, optional premium |
| Pzizz | Science-based sleep audio | Dreamscapes technology, nap mode, focus mode | 4.5/5 | Free classic version, premium subscription |
| Sleep Cycle | Smart alarm wake-ups | Sleep tracking, snore detection, smart alarm | 4.6/5 | Free basic version, premium available |
| Slumber | Bedtime story lovers | Extensive story library, customizable backgrounds, ASMR content | 4.5/5 | Free trial, then subscription |
| ShutEye | Sleep tracking with AI analysis | AI sleep analysis, snore recorder, smart alarm | 4.4/5 | Free trial, premium subscription |
| Sleepiest | Immersive bedtime stories | 430+ bedtime stories, sleep meditations, nature sounds | 4.5/5 | Free trial, subscription plans |
#1. Life7 – Best for Complete Mental Wellness and Sleep
Life7 is an all-in-one mental wellness app designed to help you sleep better, relieve stress, reduce anxiety, and refocus your attention. What makes Life7 stand out is the sheer variety of tools it offers. You get everything from guided meditations and sleep stories to breathwork sessions and exclusive music.
The app includes advanced features like green noise, white noise, brown noise, and pink noise. You also get access to delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma wave music. Pure binaural beats, isochronic tones, and solfeggio frequencies round out the sound options.
Life7 offers SOS sessions for anxiety and panic attacks. It also includes CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), hypnotherapy, and vagus nerve stimulation. New daily sessions keep things fresh and interesting.
Key Features:
- 8D sleep audio and dream wave hypnosis for deeper relaxation
- Gamified approach with XP rewards and streak tracking to keep you motivated
- Backdrop mode lets you mix soundscapes with meditations or sleep stories
What I like: I really appreciate how Life7 brings together so many wellness tools in one place. The daily check-ins and new sessions every day keep me coming back. The gamified approach with XP points makes building a meditation habit feel fun rather than like a chore. The variety of sounds and frequencies is impressive too.
What I don’t like: The free content is a bit limited compared to what you get with the full subscription. You might need to upgrade to really unlock the app’s full potential.
Pricing: 7-day free trial available. Weekly, monthly, and yearly subscription plans offered. Special offers appear frequently.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#2. Calm – Best for Relaxing Sleep Stories
Calm is the number one mental health app designed to help you manage stress, sleep better, and live a happier, healthier life. The app has become famous for its sleep stories. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, the 500+ Sleep Stories, soundscapes, and guided sleep meditations can lull you to sleep.
What sets Calm apart is its celebrity narrators. You can drift off to the soothing voices of stars like Matthew McConaughey and LeBron James. The app adds new content regularly, including daily meditations.
A Calm subscription unlocks the full library of meditations, Sleep Stories, music, and other features. Even with the free version, you get access to some helpful content.
Key Features:
- Over 500 sleep stories with new ones added weekly
- Guided meditations covering sleep, anxiety, stress, and gratitude
- Daily 10-minute meditation to start or end your day
What I like: The sleep stories are genuinely relaxing. Users report that Calm cuts through stress, anxiety, and irregular sleep schedules and brings them to deep sleep, often falling asleep within 5 minutes. The production quality is top-notch, and the variety keeps things interesting night after night.
What I don’t like: The premium price is higher than some competitors. If you want the full experience, you need to pay for a subscription. The free content is pretty limited.
Pricing: Free version with limited content. Premium subscription required for full access.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#3. BetterSleep – Best for Customizable Sleep Soundscapes
BetterSleep (formerly Relax Melodies) has been named Apple’s “App of the Day” over 65 times. The app shines when it comes to creating your perfect sleep environment through sound mixing.
The app includes more than 300 sleep sounds and music tracks. You get nature sounds, ASMR sounds, white noise, water sounds, meditation music, isochronic brainwaves, solfeggio frequencies, and binaural beats. There are also more than 250 meditations and hypnosis sessions available.
The app lets you combine different sounds to create your ideal sleep mix. This customization is what makes BetterSleep special.
Key Features:
- Sound mixing feature to create personalized sleep soundscapes
- Sleep tracker and recorder to monitor your sleep quality
- More than 100 SleepTales and stories across themes like fairy tales, mystery, sci-fi, and fantasy
What I like: The ability to mix and match sounds is a game-changer. Users say it’s the best sleep sounds app with options like green noise that reduce anxiety and quiet a racing mind. I love layering rain with a crackling fire for the coziest sleep environment.
What I don’t like: Recent updates have locked many sounds that used to be free. Some users feel frustrated that their favorite free sounds are now behind a paywall. This can feel disappointing if you’ve been using the app for years.
Pricing: Some free sounds available. Premium subscription unlocks full content.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#4. Insight Timer – Best for Free Meditation Variety
Insight Timer is the number one free app for meditation, sleep, anxiety, and mindfulness worldwide. What makes this app special is the massive amount of free content available.
The app offers thousands of free music tracks, meditations, and stories to help you get a better night’s sleep. With 100+ new free guided meditations added daily, more meditation is practiced on Insight Timer than anywhere else.
The app started as a simple meditation timer but has evolved into something much bigger. It features thousands of guided meditations across a range of styles including Buddhist mindfulness, Kundalini yoga, walking meditation, and many others.
Key Features:
- Practice various meditation types including yoga nidra, vipassana, MBSR, and walking meditation
- Sleep Mode automatically locks your device when your selected track finishes playing
- Community features with thousands of discussion groups
What I like: The free content library is unmatched. Insight Timer has been named one of TIME Magazine’s and Women’s Health Magazine’s “Apps of the Year.” I appreciate that I can access quality meditations without paying anything. The community aspect makes meditation feel less lonely.
What I don’t like: The sheer volume of content can feel overwhelming at first. Finding exactly what you need takes some exploring. The interface could be more streamlined for beginners.
Pricing: Mostly free. Optional premium subscription for courses, offline access, and advanced features.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#5. Pzizz – Best for Science-Based Sleep Audio
Pzizz helps you quickly quiet your mind, fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed. The app uses a unique approach based on scientific research.
Pzizz uses “dreamscapes,” which are a mix of music, voiceovers, and sound effects designed using the latest clinical research. What’s clever is that every time you listen to Pzizz it creates a unique session for you. This prevents your brain from getting bored with the same sounds.
The app offers three modes: sleep, nap, and focus. Pzizz has gained some seriously high-profile fans over the years, including celebrities, elite athletes, and even the late Steve Jobs.
Key Features:
- Customizable settings including sleep duration, volumes, 3D effect, and voice gender
- Separate modules for nighttime sleep, power naps, and daytime focus
- Narrations based on proven clinical sleep interventions
What I like: The dreamscapes offered by Pzizz are astonishingly effective. Their immersive nature draws you in so you can’t help but start to feel more relaxed. I love that every session is different. The nap feature is perfect for a quick afternoon recharge.
What I don’t like: The science claims feel slightly overblown based on limited studies. Some users find the voiceovers distracting rather than soothing. It takes some adjustment to find your perfect settings.
Pricing: Free classic version available. Premium subscription for full features.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#6. Sleep Cycle – Best for Smart Alarm Wake-Ups
Sleep Cycle is your personal sleep tracker and smart alarm clock with a range of features to help you get a good night’s rest and wake up easier. The app has been around for years and remains a favorite.
The app’s standout feature is its Smart Alarm, which gently wakes you during your lightest sleep phase within a 30-minute window you choose. This means no more jarring wake-ups in the middle of deep sleep.
The app features sleep music, sleep sounds, guided meditation, and bedtime stories designed to help you fall asleep faster. 72% of users confirm their sleep quality has improved after using Sleep Cycle’s sleep tracker.
Key Features:
- Snore recorder and sleep talk recorder to check how much you’re snoring
- AI-driven Cough Radar tool that analyzes coughing trends
- Integration with Apple Watch and Philips Hue lights
What I like: Waking up during light sleep makes such a difference in how I feel in the morning. Sleep Cycle proved to be the most comprehensive sleep tracking app tested, monitoring every metric needed including surprising extras like time spent coughing. The data insights are genuinely helpful.
What I don’t like: The app needs to be left running all night, which can drain your battery. Some users report occasional crashes during the night. The free version is quite limited.
Pricing: Free basic version with sleep analysis. Premium subscription for full features.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#7. Slumber – Best for Bedtime Story Lovers
Slumber is a collection of ultra-relaxing sleep-inducing stories and meditations designed to beat insomnia and help you fall asleep quickly every single night. If you love being read to sleep, this is your app.
The Slumber app features the most extensive sleep library of stories, meditations, soundscapes, and music specifically designed to quiet the mind. The techniques used are recommended by leading sleep organizations like the National Sleep Foundation.
CNN Underscored named it “The best sleep apps in 2024” and The Wall Street Journal recommended it for struggling sleepers.
Key Features:
- Large library of sleep meditations and audio bedtime stories for adults and kids
- Mix feature with customizable calming music and sleep sounds including white noise, brown noise, and green noise
- Hypnotherapy-style narration designed for maximum relaxation
What I like: The narrators speak in a hypnotic, soothing style that feels more effective than celebrity readers. The stories are genuinely engaging yet relaxing. I love that I can customize background sounds to play with each story.
What I don’t like: The sleep tracking feature is buggy and sometimes shows inaccurate data. Some users report the app needs work in the tracking department. Premium is required for the best content.
Pricing: 7-day free trial. Monthly, yearly, or lifetime subscription options.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#8. ShutEye – Best for Sleep Tracking with AI Analysis
ShutEye helps you sleep better naturally, and in just 3 weeks, 92% of users reported noticeable improvements in their sleep quality. The app uses artificial intelligence to analyze your sleep.
ShutEye uses machine learning to accurately track sleep by identifying sounds like snoring. The app intelligently eliminates noise to generate sleep patterns with top 90th percentile accuracy.
ShutEye detects various sounds you make during the night, including snoring, sleep talking, breathing changes, sleepwalking, coughing, and more. You can play back recordings in the morning.
Key Features:
- Sleep score that becomes more accurate and personalized the longer you use the app
- Smart Alarm that uses AI to wake you during your lightest sleep stage
- Library of ambient sounds including white noise, rain, ASMR, and meditation content
What I like: The sound recording feature is fascinating. Hearing yourself snore or talk in your sleep is eye-opening. The app includes sleep sounds, bedtime stories, and guided meditations designed to help you fall asleep quickly. The AI analysis gets smarter over time.
What I don’t like: Some users report the app showing inaccurate sleep data. The premium price kicks in quickly after the trial. Battery drain can be an issue since it runs all night.
Pricing: 7-day free trial. Annual premium subscription required for full features.
Platforms: iOS and Android
#9. Sleepiest – Best for Immersive Bedtime Stories
Sleepiest helps users achieve better sleep through a fantastic range of over 350 immersive bedtime stories, 200 soothing sleep meditations, and 150 ambient sleep sounds. The app is designed for adults, kids, and even babies.
The app features over 430+ calming bedtime stories to help you relax and get a better night’s sleep. You can choose from classic fairytales and guided meditations to find the perfect story.
Sleepiest also supports the Apple Watch, meaning you can launch and listen to your favorite stories, sounds, and meditations on the go. The app integrates with Apple Health too.
Key Features:
- 100+ soothing sleep sounds from gentle rain to ocean waves and white noise
- Integration with Apple Health that exports sleep cycle data
- Content designed for the whole family including kids and babies
What I like: The production quality of the bedtime stories is excellent. You can download stories to listen to them without service. The family-friendly content makes it versatile. Having options for both adults and children is convenient for parents.
What I don’t like: The app requires a subscription for most premium content. Some users find the interface could be more intuitive. The free options are limited.
Pricing: Free trial available. Subscription plans for full access.
Platforms: iOS and Android
Do Free Sleep Apps Actually Work?
Yes, free sleep apps can genuinely help improve your sleep. Research shows that techniques like guided meditation, white noise, and relaxation exercises can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep. Free sleep apps utilize multiple passive sensors to gauge movement and sounds achieving 70-85% accuracy compared to clinical standards.
The key is consistency. Using a sleep app as part of your nightly routine trains your brain to associate certain sounds or activities with sleep. Apps like Insight Timer offer extensive free libraries that provide real value. While premium features add convenience, the basic free versions of most apps can still make a difference.
That said, sleep apps are not a replacement for medical treatment if you have serious sleep disorders. If you struggle with chronic insomnia, talk to a doctor.
Which Sleep App Is Best for Anxiety?
Life7 stands out as the best choice for anxiety-related sleep issues. It offers SOS sessions specifically designed to calm anxiety and panic attacks. The app includes CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) tools, breathing exercises, and vagus nerve stimulation techniques.
Calm and Insight Timer also offer excellent anxiety-relief content. Calm has guided meditations focused on stress and anxiety management. Insight Timer provides thousands of free meditations covering anxiety reduction and relaxation.
The best app for you depends on your preferences. Some people prefer guided meditations with soothing voices. Others find that sound-based apps like BetterSleep or Pzizz work better for quieting an anxious mind.
Can Sleep Apps Replace a Sleep Tracker Device?
Sleep apps can provide useful insights about your sleep patterns, but they have limitations compared to dedicated devices. When compared to phone sensors, wearables such as smartwatches or fitness bands tend to give out more detailed data like heart rate variability and oxygen levels.
Phone-based apps rely on sound and motion detection, which is less accurate than the sensors in wearables. Sleep Cycle uses your smartphone’s microphone to analyze sleep patterns through sound detection, and it works better than you’d expect. However, it still cannot match the precision of clinical sleep studies.
For casual users who want general insights, sleep apps are a great starting point. If you need detailed medical-grade data or suspect you have sleep apnea, a dedicated tracker or professional sleep study is better.