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Nowadays, sleep is the most precious gift we can have. But the modern way of life is not that generous with giveaways. Nevertheless, two sleep tracking apps can present you with a good night’s sleep! Let’s choose the best one: Autosleep vs Pillow.
What is AutoSleep?
AutoSleep is a sleep tracker app that is made specifically for the Apple watch. How it works is that you will first have to download the app in the App store, and then connect it to your Apple watch.
You also don’t have to press any button in the app to signal that you’re about to fall asleep or wake up, as it does it automatically once you have set a default time in your settings.
The heart rate that comes from your Apple Watch to your iPhone is analyzed by the app and gives you information about your sleep. The report will inform you about:
- How long you’ve slept
- Time of falling asleep and waking up
- Time of deep and light stages of sleep cycle
- Tips on making your sleep better if it’s not sufficient
Key features of the AutoSleep App
Some of the key features of the AutoSleep app include:
Smart alarm clock
Track total sleep duration and time spent asleep
Sleep score
Sleep apnea detection
Sleep blood oxygen and respiration rate measurement
Sleep analysis
Is the AutoSleep app accurate?
According to AutoSleep’s website, it seems to be highly accurate to a certain extent. It has an inbuilt actigraphy report for sleep validation and is used by sleep clinics and millions of users globally.
They are also listed as the best app from 2018 to 2024, with over 200k+ user ratings and an average score of 4.7/5 stars.
The app also allows you to calibrate the settings to ensure that your sleep patterns are being detected properly if it doesn’t work well for any reason.
AutoSleep Advantages
- Automatically tracks sleep: No need to press any buttons to track your sleep. All you need to do is to wear your Apple Watch.
- Provides comprehensive sleep data: You will receive a detailed sleep report each night on sleep duration, sleep quality, heart rate data, and deep sleep data.
- Apple Health integration: Easily sync your data with Apple Health to track your sleep and other metrics in the long term.
- One-time purchase: You only have to purchase it once for $8.99. No monthly or yearly subscription plan.
AutoSleep Disadvantages
- Requires an Apple Watch: This sleep tracking app is built for Apple Watch users, so if you don’t have it, you may not be able to use it properly.
- Can cause battery drain: Having to wear the watch overnight means that you will not be able to charge it. Running the app throughout the night will also cause the battery to drain faster.
- No sound recording: The app is not able to capture any sleep sounds such as snoring or sleep talking made at night.
What Is The Pillow App
The Pillow App is yet another sleep-tracking app to help you analyze your sleep cycle and sleep habits. Similar to AutoSleep app, the Pillow App is only available for iOS users and Apple Watch users. It offers insights into sleep patterns, heart rate monitoring and also records the sounds you make while sleeping.
Key features of the Pillow App
Some of the key features of the Pillow App include:
- Advanced sleep cycle analysis
- Detailed sleep stages tracking (light sleep, deep sleep, REM sleep) and sleep score
- Audio recordings
- Personalized insights on bedtime and chronotype
- Customizable alarm presets
- Nap settings
- Mood tracking and note taking
Is the pillow app accurate?
There aren’t really many details found on Pillow’s website in terms of accuracy. However, according to an FAQ, the Pillow app assesses your sleep quality by sensing your body movements with your device’s accelerometer and gyroscope and noise level using your device’s microphone.
The data is then processed by a scientifically backed algorithm to determine how well you slept. The App has been chosen as an editor’s choice by many news outlets and also chosen as the ‘App of the day’ by the Apple app store. Its rating is also around 4.3, with 90K+ feedback.
Pillow Advantages
- 3 Options to track sleep: You can use either an Apple Watch, iPhone or an iPad to track your sleep.
- Sleep stages analysis: The app offers a detailed breakdown of the sleep stages that you are in at night, whether it is light, deep, or REM sleep phase.
- Record sleep sounds: The app also captures snoring, sleep talking, and other noises in your environment through your device’s microphone.
- Apple health integration: You can also sync your sleep data with Apple Health to have a better overview of your sleep health.
Pillow Disadvantages
- Limited features in the free version: To receive advanced analytics and insights, you’ll need to subscribe to their premium plan.
- Requires phone to be placed on a flat surface: Placing your phone away from you may sometimes cause inconsistent readings.
- Cost of subscription: The premium plan can be quite costly, depending on whether you get a monthly or annual plan.
- May drain battery: Using the app overnight on your iPhone or Apple watch can drain battery life quickly. You’ll need to make sure that you have charged it fully prior to using it or leave it charged throughout the night for iPhone.
Autosleep vs Pillow: Which is the best sleep tracker?
It is always hard to judge, choose and make decisions. So instead of jumping to conclusions, I recommend you try these 2 apps and see which one fits you the most. We are all individuals and tastes differ, as they say.
The most important thing in our AutoSleep vs Pillow competition is that they have free features available to try.
Here is a quick comparison table to help you form your decision:
| Feature | AutoSleep App | Pillow App |
| Platform | iOS (Apple Watch required for full tracking) | iOS (Works with Apple Watch or iPhone) |
| Tracking Method | Automatic tracking | Manual tracking |
| Sleep Stage Analysis | Tracks light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep | Tracks light sleep, deep sleep and REM sleep |
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Smart Alarm | No | Yes, wakes you at the optimal time |
| Sleep Sound Recording | No | Yes |
| Apple Health Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Usage | Low (runs in background) | Can drain battery if using iPhone for tracking |
| Cost | One time purchase ($8.99) | Subscription-based ($9.99/month or $39.99/year for premium) |
| Best For | Apple Watch users looking for automatic, detailed sleep tracking | Users who want sound recording and a smart alarm feature |
Alternative Sleep Tracking App To Try
Another app that is worth considering if you find that Autosleep or Pillow app may not be the best for you, would be the ShutEye® app.
ShutEye® is a sleep tracking app that uses a patented sleep tracking technology and scientifically backed algorithms to recognize, calculate, and produce your sleep data. It also records any sleep sounds that you make throughout the night.
The team also conducts comparative tests with the medical PSG (polysomnography) method, ensuring that sleep results are consistently accurate and reliable.
Currently, it comes with a free and premium version for both iOS and Android devices. It is also highly rated, with 4.8/5 stars and over 320k+ user feedback.
Join 40 million+ users who are tracking their sleep today!
Key features of ShutEye App:
- Advanced sleep tracking
- Detailed sleep analysis
- Extensive collection of sleep sounds and bedtime stories
- Smart alarm clock
- Customizable sound mixes and playlist
- Nighttime sound recording
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing the best sleep tracker, both AutoSleep and Pillow have their strengths. AutoSleep is ideal for Apple Watch users who want seamless, automatic tracking with a one-time purchase. On the other hand, Pillow is a great choice for those who value sleep sound recordings and a smart alarm, even though it requires a subscription for full features.
However, if you’re looking for a comprehensive sleep tracking solution that combines accurate sleep analysis, sound recording, and personalized insights, consider trying ShutEye®. Download FREE for 7 Days.
