Best Sleep Apps in 2025

From sleep tracking to meditation, the right app can help you understand and improve your sleep. Here are the best sleep apps available for iOS and Android in 2025.

Best Overall Sleep Apps

Sleep Cycle

Best for: Smart alarm and sleep analysis

Sleep Cycle uses your phone's sensors to analyze sleep patterns and wake you during your lightest sleep phase. The result: you wake up feeling more refreshed.

• Pros: Intelligent alarm, detailed sleep statistics, sleep trends over time, snore detection
• Cons: Premium features require subscription
• Price: Free with Premium at $39.99/year
• Platforms: iOS, Android

Pillow

Best for: Apple Watch users

Pillow offers automatic sleep tracking with Apple Watch, providing detailed analysis of sleep stages, heart rate, and audio recordings of sleep sounds.

• Pros: Automatic tracking, heart rate analysis, nap mode, Apple Health integration
• Cons: iOS only, best features require Apple Watch
• Price: Free with Premium at $49.99/year
• Platforms: iOS only

Best for Sleep Sounds & Relaxation

Calm

Best for: Meditation and sleep stories

Calm is the leading meditation app with an extensive library of sleep content, including Sleep Stories narrated by celebrities, guided meditations, and soothing sounds.

• Pros: Huge content library, celebrity narrators, daily meditation, beautiful design
• Cons: Most content requires subscription
• Price: $69.99/year or $399.99 lifetime
• Platforms: iOS, Android

Headspace

Best for: Structured meditation for sleep

Headspace offers "Sleepcasts"—45-minute audio experiences that guide you to sleep, plus wind-down exercises and sleep music.

• Pros: Well-designed courses, Sleepcasts, focus music, nice interface
• Cons: Subscription required for most content
• Price: $69.99/year
• Platforms: iOS, Android

White Noise Lite

Best for: Free white noise and ambient sounds

Simple, effective app for playing white noise, nature sounds, and ambient audio to mask disruptive sounds while you sleep.

• Pros: Free, large sound library, mix sounds, timer
• Cons: Basic interface, ads in free version
• Price: Free with Pro at $2.99
• Platforms: iOS, Android

Noisli

Best for: Customizable sound mixing

Create your own soundscapes by mixing multiple ambient sounds. Great for sleep, focus, or relaxation.

• Pros: High-quality sounds, custom mixing, timer, offline mode
• Cons: Smaller sound library than some alternatives
• Price: $12.99 one-time purchase
• Platforms: iOS, Android

Best for Sleep Tracking

SleepScore

Best for: Detailed sleep analysis without wearables

Uses sonar technology through your phone's speaker and microphone to track sleep without wearing anything.

• Pros: No wearable needed, detailed sleep staging, personalized tips, science-backed
• Cons: Phone must be near bed, premium features require subscription
• Price: Free with Premium at $49.99/year
• Platforms: iOS, Android

AutoSleep

Best for: Apple Watch users who want automatic tracking

Automatically tracks sleep with Apple Watch without any input required. Provides detailed metrics and trends.

• Pros: Truly automatic, detailed metrics, nice visualizations, one-time purchase
• Cons: Requires Apple Watch, iOS only
• Price: $5.99 one-time purchase
• Platforms: iOS only

Best for CBT-I & Insomnia

CBT-i Coach

Best for: Free, evidence-based insomnia treatment

Developed by the VA, this free app guides you through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia—the gold standard treatment.

• Pros: Free, evidence-based, comprehensive, includes sleep diary
• Cons: Basic interface, works best with therapist guidance
• Price: Free
• Platforms: iOS, Android

Sleepio

Best for: Structured digital CBT-I program

A clinically validated digital CBT-I program with personalized sessions guided by an animated character named "The Prof."

• Pros: Clinically proven, personalized, structured 6-week program
• Cons: Expensive, may be covered by some employers/insurers
• Price: Varies (often employer-sponsored)
• Platforms: iOS, Android, Web

Best Free Options

Insight Timer

Huge library of free meditations and sleep content from various teachers.

• Pros: Massive free library, variety of teachers, community features
• Price: Free with optional Premium

Rain Rain

Simple, elegant rain and nature sounds for sleep.

• Pros: Free, high-quality sounds, mixing feature, timer
• Price: Free

Sleep as Android

Feature-rich sleep tracking for Android users.

• Pros: Smart alarm, sleep tracking, integrates with wearables
• Price: Free trial, $9.99 one-time unlock

What to Look For in a Sleep App

For Sleep Tracking

• Sleep stage detection (light, deep, REM)
• Smart alarm feature
• Trend analysis over time
• Integration with health platforms

For Relaxation

• Variety of sounds and music
• Guided meditations specifically for sleep
• Timer and fade-out features
• Offline access

For Insomnia

• Evidence-based approach (CBT-I)
• Sleep diary functionality
• Personalized recommendations
• Structured program

Tips for Using Sleep Apps

• Don't obsess over data: "Orthosomnia"—anxiety about sleep data—can worsen sleep
• Use airplane mode: Reduce EMF and notification concerns
• Keep phone at a distance: On nightstand, not under pillow
• Be consistent: Use the app regularly for accurate trends
• Combine with good habits: Apps are tools, not magic—sleep hygiene still matters