5 Best Apps for Sleep Tracking

Published: May 15, 2021
Updated: Sep 24, 2024
5 Best Apps for Sleep Tracking
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    A good night’s sleep is difficult to come by these days, whether it’s due to snoringinsomnia, or sleep apnea. Many people are looking to improve their sleep quality through a bunch of ways. One of them is by using apps for sleep tracking purposes.

    Sleep tracker apps can help you work on your sleep by analyzing your sleep cycles, sounds, movements, and sleep habits. Through this, you will be able to discover personalized insights to help you fall asleep faster.

    5 Best Apps For Sleep Tracking

    Sleep Tracking AppWhy We Chose It?App Store Rating
    ShutEyeBest overall & most accurate4.8/5
    Sleep CycleSmart Alarm4.7/5
    PillowApple Watch compatible4.3/5
    Prime Sleep RecorderTrack sleep with Apple Watch4.7/5
    AutoSleepMonitor sleep recording4.5/5

    These applications will also assist you in determining how many times you are awakened during the night and identify conditions of sleep-related disorders. That’s why we would like to share with you 5 of the best apps for tracking your sleep. 

    Do Sleep Tracking Apps Really Work?

    “The tracker will give you something to reflect on,” says Alan Schwartz, M.D.director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center – often with user-friendly graphs or reports that make it easy to spot trends.

    Typically, you view the collected sleep data in an app. The report includes total sleep time, how often you wake up in the night, and what times you wake up. Some devices also include a summary of your sleep stages — light sleep versus deep sleep.

    Sleep trackers are accurate at tracking total sleep time, so you can feel fairly confident about using a sleep tracker to determine whether you’re getting the recommended amount of sleep at night.

    How Does Sleep Tracker Work?

    Features of sleep-tracking apps vary, but some common capabilities include:

    1. Sleep duration

    By tracking the time you’re inactive, the devices can record when you fall asleep at night and when you stir in the morning.

    2. Sleep quality

    Trackers can detect interrupted sleep, letting you know when you’re tossing and turning or waking during the night.

    3. Sleep phases

    Some tracking systems track the phases of your sleep and time your alarm to go off during a period when you’re sleeping less deeply. In theory, that makes it easier for you to rouse.

    4. Environmental factors

    Some devices record environmental factors like the amount of light or temperature in your bedroom.

    5. Lifestyle factors

    Some trackers prompt you to enter information about activities that can affect sleep, such as how much caffeine you’ve had, when you’ve eaten, or whether your stress level is high.

    Can You Track Sleep Without A Watch?

    Yes, most of the apps for sleep tracking could track sleep without a watch.

    The best apps for sleep tracking should be useable with or without a wearable device and have measurable data on how long and how well you slept. That’s why we looked at a variety of sleep tracker apps to find the best ones for identifying problems and improving sleep quality.

    Anyone wanting to monitor their sleep and create a plan to improve it can use the apps mentioned in our article. We hope you will have better sleep quality in the future.

    5 Best Apps for Sleep Tracking

    1. ShutEye: Sleep Tracker, Sounds

    shuteye sleep tracking app

    ShutEye® recognizes, calculates, and analyzes the files recorded by the microphone through artificial intelligence algorithms to produce your sleep status information. The more times you use ShutEye to record your sleep, the better accuracy you will get!

    In order to verify ShutEye’s accuracy, dozens of tests have been performed, comparing against popular competitors and smart hardware. Results showed that ShutEye’s accuracy was in the top 90th percentile.

    Not only that, ShutEye® also features sleep sounds, bedtime stories and a smart alarm clock so that you can go to sleep and wake up gently.

    Rating: 4.8/5 Stars

    Download ShutEye for Android and iOS.

    ShutEye@3x
    Discover ways to start sleeping peacefully with ShutEye! 
    Try For Free

    2. Sleep Cycle

    sleep cycle app

    Sleep Cycle analyzes audio recordings of snoring and talking to provide a condensed view of sleep patterns. This app graphically monitors your sleep cycle and overlays audio recordings to help you figure out what’s going on during different stages of sleep. The tracking feature is also patented like ShutEye.

    On top of that, there are also sleep guides and programs that you can select from.

    However, Sleep Cycle’s premium features can be pricey, and the sleep sounds offered may not be the best.

    App Store Rating: 4.7/5

    Google Play Rating: 4.6

    Download for Android and iOS.

    3. Pillow: Sleep Cycle Tracker 

    pillow app

    The Pillow app is Apple Watch compatible. It can also be used manually. We liked that this app allows you to record audio as you sleep, which is useful for those who think snoring or talking in their sleep is interfering with their sleep pattern. A sleep cycle diagram and a heart rate analysis are used in the sleep analysis.

    However, it is worth noting that tracking your sleep via apple watch may not be the most accurate. Especially if you are wearing it while you are asleep. The movements that you make could interfere with sleep analysis and audio recording.

    Another downside is that it is only available for iOS users. Some of the features are also unavailable without matching with an Apple Watch.

    App Store Rating: 4.4/5 Stars

    Download for iOS.

    4. AutoSleep Track Sleep on Watch 

    AutoSleep Track Sleep on Watch

    This app will keep track of your sleep and provide you with valuable data and charts analyzing the duration and consistency of your sleep. It tracks your sleep based on movement, much like other sleep apps, and can be used for nighttime sleep.

    However, this app lacks the sleep sounds feature that can assist you in falling asleep quickly. Unlike its rivals, this app does not have any free functionality for users who want to give it a try before deciding whether or not to purchase the paid features.

    Another huge limitation is that you are required to have an apple watch. So for Android users and non apple watch users, this app is unavailable for you.

    App Store Rating: 4.7/5

    Download for iOS.

    5. Prime Sleep Recorder 

    prime sleep recorder

    Prime sleep recorder analyzes your sleep and gives you detailed information about your sleeping habits. The app tracks your movements during the night and displays personalized data about your sleep cycles in easy-to-understand charts.

    But, this app lacks a lot of the functionalities other apps offer, such as sleep aid sounds and sleep tips. Besides, the user interface is not the easiest to use compared with other similar apps.

    App Store Rating: 4.5/5

    Download for iOS.

    So there you have it! This is our list of apps for sleep tracking in 2024. Of course, there are still plenty of others that are out there.

    If you are interested, check these out:

    10 Best Sleep Talking Apps in 2024

    6 Best Sleep Talk Recording App for Android & iOS

    ShutEye@3x
    Track your sleep cycle and kickstart your journey to better sleep
    Download ShutEye For Free
    FAQ

    Yes, there are many sleep apps available that can help you improve your sleep. These apps use advanced algorithms to monitor your sleep patterns and provide personalized suggestions for better sleep hygiene.

    Sleep-tracking apps use sensors and algorithms to monitor your sleep patterns. While they may not be as accurate as professional sleep studies, they can still provide valuable insights into your sleep quality and help you make improvements.

    When choosing a sleep-tracking app, look for features such as sleep score, sleep goals, sleep coaching, and detailed sleep reports. Also, check if the app is compatible with your device and offers integration with other health and fitness apps.

    A sleep-tracking app can help you monitor your sleep patterns, identify any sleep problems, and provide personalized sleep advice. By tracking your sleep over time, you can make adjustments to your sleep routine and improve the quality of your sleep.

    Some advanced sleep-tracking apps can monitor your sleep environment by using additional sensors or by analyzing data from your smartphone’s built-in sensors. These apps can provide recommendations on creating a more conducive sleep environment.
    About authors
    Jessica Brown, a 29-year-old freelance copywriter passionate about human nature and deeply committed to promoting sleep and mental health awareness. Jessica holds a Master of Arts in Literary Studies from the National University of Singapore and a Bachelor's in Biology from the University of Cambridge.
    Siti Amirah
    Reviewer
    Amirah is a content writer passionate about topics related to mental health and wellness. Recently, she delved into the realm of sleep health, spurred by a personal recognition of her subpar sleep habits and a desire for improvement. Amirah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Communication Studies from the University of Nottingham.
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