Best Sleep Apps

As the most advanced sleep tracker on this list, SleepScore uses sonar technology to measure sleep habits from your nightstand. The app sends sonar waves from your phone to measure your breathing and any sounds, which allow it to track light, deep, and REM sleep and identify when you wake up during the night.

The app formulates a sleep score to attach an objective number to your sleep quality to help with setting goals for better sleep. To use the sonar technology, you must leave your phone plugged in, above mattress level, and with the base of the phone pointed toward you (which may not be possible depending on your bedroom setup).

The free version of this app includes many features such as sleep tracking, smart alarms, goal setting, light and sound monitoring, bedtime reminders, sleep scores, and a seven-day sleep history. This premium membership gives you access to unlimited sleep history tracking, charts to visualize your sleep patterns, sleep coaching, and a doctor’s report that will point out concerns in your sleep that you can bring with you to your medical professional.

Overall, if you’re looking for a comprehensive sleep tracker app, SleepScore has all the features you need to fully understand your sleep patterns.

SleepWatch by BodyMatter automatically tracks sleep from information collected by your Apple Watch. This is the easiest app to use with this device, as it collects everything you need without you having to input your data.

We liked that it gives you a sleep score to measure how well you slept and provides you with an in-depth analysis based on length of sleep, whether you were in light, deep, or disrupted sleep, and variations in heart rate throughout the night. All you need to do is wear your Apple Watch to bed and the app will do the rest.

There is also the option to track behaviors such as late-night eating or alcohol consumption to help identify if certain behaviors impact the quality of your sleep.

Sleep ++ by Cross Forward Consulting is perfect for basic sleep tracking. When used with an Apple Watch, it will automatically track sleep and provides you with a clear report of sleep quality. We found that the app interface is fairly basic and difficult to interpret at first glance. If you do not have an Apple Watch, you must manually input when you fell asleep and when you woke up.

The app provides you with daily and average sleep times, how many hours were restful sleep, and the number of minutes you were awake. It also gives you a sleep duration score so you can track changes over time. It lacks features available on other sleep tracker apps such as smart alarms or light and sound monitoring, and if you are trying to use this app without an Apple Watch, having to manually input data could lead to inaccurate results.

Pillow, the sleep app by NeyBox Digital Ltd. can be used to automatically track sleep. This sleep tracker app is compatible with an Apple Watch, but it can also be used in manual mode. We liked that this app offers the option of enabling audio recordings while you sleep, which is helpful for those who suspect that snoring or talking in their sleep is disrupting their sleep cycle.

The sleep analysis includes a sleep cycle diagram and heart rate analysis, and it displays trends over time. Pillow regularly updates sleep tips to help you fall asleep and stay asleep and personalizes your insights over time. If you’re using it without an Apple Watch, you must input what time you fall asleep and what time you wake up, which can lead to inaccurate measurements.

Sleep Cycle by Sleep Cycle AB gives you a simplified look at sleep patterns by analyzing audio recordings of snoring, talking, coughing, and other sounds. This app tracks your sleep cycle graphically and overlays audio recordings to help identify what is going on during different periods of sleep.

No equipment or fitness wearables are needed; all you need to do is have your phone beside your bed. The app must be turned on before going to bed, and since it uses sound analysis to identify sleep states, there is the potential for error if you sleep with others in the room. You do need to start and stop the sleep timer manually, which can be problematic if you forget to do this regularly.

PrimeNap is a free sleep tracker that will track your sleep and provide you with useful data and charts that analyze your sleep length and quality. Like other sleep apps, it records your sleep based on movement and can be used for nighttime sleep and mid-day naps. It includes some unique features such as smart alarms, a dream journal, and sleep sounds to play while you rest.

The app is available on Android and has many of the features found in more expensive apps. We liked that it can be used in airplane mode and offers you detailed data on how long you spend in different sleep cycles. You can also export your data to share with others. The app is designed to show you sleep patterns to help you improve your sleep and identify where problems lie. 

Reviews online state that smart alarms can be confusing and aren’t always accurate. It does not automatically track your sleep, so you must remember to turn it on and off for accurate measurements. Overall, PrimeNap is a great free Android app for those looking to analyze their sleep.