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Best Free Sleep Apps

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Cell phones don’t have the best reputation when it comes to their effect on sleep patterns. But thanks to the seemingly endless number of apps available today, one click can turn your phone into a white noise machine, meditation coach, sleep tracker, or smart alarm clock — and many of those apps don’t cost a dime. No need to troll the top charts: Below, a round-up of the best free sleep apps (for iPhone and Andriod) so that you can up your sleep game. (Also, try this bedtime yoga routine.)

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Harmony Hypnosis Meditation

Harmony Hypnosis Meditation

Created by one of the UK’s leading hypnotherapists, Darren Marks, the Harmony Hypnosis Meditation app features hypnosis sessions for deep relaxation. Marks has created a range of best-selling hypnotherapy apps that simulate as closely as possible what it’s like to see a real hypnotherapist. His soothing voice lulls you to sleep with a mild hypnosis, focusing on the rhythm of your breathing, clearing conscious thoughts, and reaching full relaxation throughout a 20-minute session.

Get it on iOS or Android

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Pillow

Pillow

If you have an Apple Watch, downloading Pillow will give you a very detailed look at your sleeping patterns. Once you pair the watch to your phone, it will automatically detect when you’re sleeping, so you’ll wake up to a breakdown of your rest — including a heart rate analysis and audio recordings from the night. (So you can find out once and for all just how loud you snore.) The app also has alarm sounds that you can use to wake you up at an optimal point during your sleep cycle.

Don’t own an Apple Watch? You can still use some of the functions of the app by setting your phone on your pillow.

Get it on iOS

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Naturespace

Naturespace

The creative artistry behind Naturespace, a holographic audio app, makes it a valuable tool for getting a great night’s sleep. Some of the sounds use binaural recording, which is a recording technique that uses two microphones arranged to create a 3-D stereo sound sensation that makes you feel like you’re within the space.

Naturespace comes with six free tracks, all of which were recorded in nature and play in an infinite loop. Even better? It supports multitasking on your phone and there are no ads.

Get it on iOS or Android

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Relax & Sleep Well

Relax Sleep Well

Relax & Sleep Well has hypnosis recordings from the UK’s best-selling self-help audio author, Glenn Harrold. Harrold takes you on a relaxing journey into a deep state of self-hypnosis, accompanied by background sounds at frequencies proven to enhance the meditation effect. He uses a post-hypnotic affirmation technique and even-toned suggestions that stay with you in your everyday routine.

Get it on iOS or Android

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BetterSleep

Relax Melodies

BetterSleep provides personalized relaxation and sleep assistance. Extremely user-friendly, the free sleep app offers over 100 different selections to help you tap your way to the exact sound that resonates with your mood.

BetterSleep offers ambient and binaural beats, giving you the option to simply relax or tell your brain that it’s time for sleep. Reviews even reveal that some parents use the app to help soothe their babies. Use the alarm clock to wake up on time and save your favorite sounds to play again another night.

Get it on iOS or Android

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Apple Books

Apple

You probably already had this one downloaded, but yes, it doubles as one of the best free sleep apps for iPhone users. Reading before bed may calm your mind so that you fall asleep easier, but only if you choose the right book. Go with a book you’ve already read and therefore know the ending to, so you don’t find yourself up all night thinking, “just one more chapter.” With Apple Books, you can download all of your favorite books, read a free sample of any new titles, and browse what’s on your bookshelf by title, author, or category.

Get it on iOS

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Penzu

Penzu

Even before you climb into bed, you get that familiar feeling…worry, stress, doubt that you actually finished everything on your to-do list. Soon your body begins to train itself to stay awake in bed, over-analyzing every little problem. Been there.

Writing in a journal before bed can help you process emotions, solve problems, and get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper (or pixels?), so you can wake up in the morning and pick up where you left off. Penzu is an online diary and personal journal that you can access anytime, anywhere. Once you download it, you’ll never want to rely on a basic notes app again.

Get it on iOS or Android

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Sleep Orbit

Sleep Orbit

Sound is a useful tool for falling asleep, and Sleep Orbit offers a unique aural experience. The app has hundreds of sounds in categories such as rain, whispers, binaural beats, and positive affirmations that are recorded to sound like they’re orbiting your head. Mix and match each to create a personalized soundtrack for falling asleep, then set a timer so that it will automatically shut off.

Get it on iOS or Android