5 Best CBT Insomnia Apps For iOS And Android

Published: May 05, 2022
Updated: Sep 24, 2024
5 Best CBT Insomnia Apps For iOS And Android
In this article
    Reading time
    9 min

    According to studies, one in three Americans doesn’t get enough sleep or are insomniacs. The daily chores have made our sleep take a back seat and rest. But nothing to be tense about as, luckily, we have the best CBT Insomnia Apps for you to be proactive and regulate your sleep hygiene without making many changes.

    5 Best CBT Insomnia AppsWhy we chose itApp Store Rating
    ShutEye®Best Overall4.7/5
    CalmBest Meditation4.8/5
    Sleep GeniusBest Technology4.1/5
    PzizzBest Sleep Guide4.8/5
    Sleep SoundBest Melody
    Key Takeaways
    Chronic insomnia is a common issue affecting a significant portion of the population, but CBT Insomnia Apps can offer a solution.
    CBT Insomnia Apps can effectively address sleep problems, and five top options include ShutEye, Calm, Sleep Genius, Pzizz, and Relax Melodies.
    These apps offer various features, such as sleep tracking, guided meditation, soundscapes, and personalized sleep plans, making them effective tools for improving sleep quality.

    What are CBT Insomnia Apps?

    Chronic insomnia is a poor sleeping disorder affecting nearly 10 to 15 percent of adults presently, and nearly 25 percent suffer from acute insomnia—days of inadequate sleep lead to frustration, dizziness, and migraine.

    As we are living in the era of technology, how can you think that it can lag behind in this matter? So, with more and more people becoming Insomniac, the trend of CBT insomnia Apps is also increasing by many folds.

    These Apps have incorporated various technologies to not only monitor your sleep pattern but also help you kick back and catch the peaceful zzzs.

    5 Best CBT Insomnia Apps

    The effectiveness of CBT Insomnia Apps can be well justified by the fact that the American College of Physicians claims Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for insomnia CBT to be the first-line treatment.

    But the problem comes when there are hundreds of thousands of different CBT insomnia apps in the global store, and finding the legit app is only possible for those born with the silver spoon.

    So, after fishing about and doing detailed research, we ended up with the following list of the five best CBT apps to help with insomnia.

    Now, let’s blow by blow, move into the details of each one separately.

    1. CBT Insomnia App– ShutEye

    If you persistently have trouble sleeping, and a peaceful sleep has become a blue moon for you, then the ShutEye app® got your back.

    Providing the 90th percentile, the ShutEye App uses an artificial intelligence algorithm to detect your sleeping time, the time taken to sleep, and the patterns you opted for.

    ShutEye App is a CBT insomnia app using an artificial intelligence algorithm to detect your sleeping time

    Features

    A few features that make ShutEye mobile app as one of the best CBT Insomnia Apps are:

    1. Sleep Tracker

    The prime feature is the sleep tracker that eyes on your sleep, voices, and movements you make during sleep, analyzes the data, and displays the whole in the form of graphs and recorded voices.

    2. White Noise and Sleep Aids

    Moreover, it comes with white noise that not only blocks the disruptive sounds but has a library of mind-soothing sounds and tracks that will help you sleep faster, like the sound of a clock’s ticking, and chirping sound. These all act as sleep aids.

    Apart from that, various other features like a smart alarm, dream analysis, personal coach, and guided prescriptions act as a cherry on the top.

    CBT I Treatment Program 

    Apart from the features described above, another perk you enjoy while using the ShutEye app is its 3-week CBT I sleep plan with 8 min daily time. This plan guides you through the routine of positive sleep and provides structured strategies to alleviate symptoms of Insomnia.

    In this plan

    • You learn how to establish healthy sleep habits.
    • A coach re-evaluates your thoughts in both rational and practical ways.
    • A doctor provides you with a detailed prescription along with tips on sleep efficiency and hygiene. 

    And the best part is that you aren’t forced to follow a CBT I plan previously designed. Instead, a new personalized plan will be made just for you.

    Subscriptions

    Where most of the apps are either available on Android or iOS phones, the CBT Insomnia App is present in both. The basic version of the ShutEye app is available for free.

    However, to unlock all the features of this app, you need to buy a premium version that provides you with quality sleep at only $59.99 annually. What can be a better bet?

    ShutEye@3x
    Explore sleep sounds from ShutEye and start relaxing now


    Try For Free

    2. CBT Insomnia App– Calm

    The second CBT Insomnia App that acts like the avatar of a real therapist is Calm.

    Acting as a meditation App, Calm provides various sections focusing on guided and unguided meditation. Where most apps focus on religious or spiritual methods, Calm uses mindfulness-based stress reduction.

    The second CBT Insomnia App that acts like the avatar of a real therapist is Calm.

    Features

    A few features that this CBT Insomnia App provides you with are:

    1. Daily Calm and Meditation

    In this section, different meditation sessions like “PANIC SOS”, and “CALMING FIGHT ANXIETY” are given by speakers. These sessions focus on work, stress, and anxiety, resulting in the betterment of Insomnia symptoms.

    Interestingly, the NIH has also proved that meditation results in the reduction of insomnia.

    2. Sleep Stories

    Additionally, a section on fiction, naps, and sensory meridian responses is available to help settle the person’s mind. In fact, 97% of the children sleeping patterns improved by listening to it.

    In addition to that, check-ins, yoga, and breathing exercises are also available.

    Subscriptions

    It comes in both paid and free versions. So, to avail all the features, opt for the paid version that comes with free pricing plans:

    1. $14.99 per month
    2. $69.99 per year
    3. $399.99 for lifetime

    3. CBT Insomnia App– Sleep Genius

    Next in the line of CBT INSOMNIA APPS comes Sleep Genius. Its algorithm aids you to sleep with the power of science. Developed by NASA scientists, it comes with the following perks:

    • Helps the user calculate perfect bedtime according to astrology and earth orbits.
    • Includes space, environment, and soothing music
    • Revive Cycle Alarm to raise you from sleep with a refreshing mood slowly

    Subscriptions

    The subscription to Sleep Genius comes for $4.99. So, buy it, and enjoy dozing.

    Sleep Genius aids you to sleep with the power of science

    4. CBT Insomnia App– Pzizz

    Pzizz is undoubtedly one of the best CBT INSOMNIA apps that provides you with ways to improve and regulate your sleeping pattern, insomnia symptoms and a sleep guide.

    Features

    It plays during the entire length of your sleep session and claims to have:

    • Dreams capes crafted with sounds
    • Tracks made in the presence of audio engineers
    • Voice-overs that reduce the racing thoughts of your mind

    What can be better proof of its efficiency than the report in which the NHS recommends it as the best CBT app to overcome insomnia?

    Subscription

    Pzizz comes in both free and paid versions. However, the paid version comes with some extra features and perks to enjoy with. The paid costs:

    • $9.99 per month
    • $99.99 per year
    Pzizz cbt insomnia app

    5. Relax Melodies- Sleep Sound

    Last but not least comes the relaxation melodies App, whose plus point is that it comes free.

    It works by combining several sounds of brain wavelength and pitch under guided meditation to help you lull, unwind, and enjoy the ease of sleep.

    Moreover, it has:

    • Various sessions
    • 5-day sleep-inducing programs
    • Meditation and guided exercises

    And this ends the list of best CBT Insomnia Apps to buy. Undoubtedly, these apps are helping people all over the world to overcome insomnia and related issues. So, why shouldn’t you also take the most out of it?

    Sleep Sound works by combining several sounds of brain wavelength and pitch under guided meditation to help you lull, unwind

    CBT-i-Coach App for Insomnia

    CBT-i Coach app is designed to assist individuals who are undergoing Cognitive Behavioral Insomnia Therapy (CBT-i) and working with a healthcare professional. This app offers a structured program that teaches proven strategies for improving sleep and managing insomnia symptoms.

    The goal of CBT-i Coach is to educate users about sleep, establish positive sleep routines, and create a sleep-friendly environment. While it can be used independently, it is intended to complement face-to-face care with a healthcare provider and not to replace necessary therapy.

    Developed in collaboration between VA’s National Center for PTSD, Stanford School of Medicine, and DoD’s National Center for Telehealth and Technology, CBT-i Coach is based on the therapy manual, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia in Veterans.

    The Concluding Words of CBT Insomnia Apps!

    There is no second thought that these CBT apps are very much effective in overcoming and dealing with insomnia.

    With this, our topic of concern reaches its end. Now it’s your turn to brace up, choose among these best CBT Insomnia Apps.

    ShutEye@3x
    Say goodbye to sleepless nights and wake up refreshed with ShutEye
    Try for Free
    FAQ

    Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a type of therapy that focuses on changing negative thoughts and behaviors associated with insomnia. It aims to improve sleep habits and address any underlying issues that may contribute to sleep disturbances.

    A sleep diary is a tool that helps track your sleep patterns and habits. It can provide valuable insights into factors that may be affecting your sleep, allowing you and your healthcare provider to identify areas that need improvement and develop strategies to address them.

    Some sleep habits that can improve insomnia include maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, avoiding stimulating activities or substances close to bedtime, and ensuring a comfortable sleep environment.

    Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises, progressive muscle relaxation, and meditation can help calm the mind and body, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Practicing relaxation techniques regularly can promote better sleep quality.

    Sleep efficiency is a measure of the proportion of time spent asleep compared to the total time spent in bed. It is calculated by dividing the total sleep time by the total time spent in bed and multiplying by 100. Higher sleep efficiency indicates better sleep quality.

    While CBT-i Coach App can be used as a standalone treatment for mild to moderate insomnia, it is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional for severe or chronic insomnia. In-person therapy sessions may be required for a more comprehensive approach to treating insomnia.
    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.

    Luik, A. I., Kyle, S. D., & Espie, C. A. (2017). Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (dCBT) for Insomnia: a State-of-the-Science Review. Current sleep medicine reports3(2), 48–56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40675-017-0065-4

    National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute (2022) What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency? [online]. Available at: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/sleep-deprivation

    Puzia, M., Laird, B., Green, J., & Huberty, J. (2020). Parents' perceptions of their children's engagement in a consumer-based meditation mobile app: Cross-sectional survey study. JMIR pediatrics and parenting, 3(2), e24536. https://doi.org/10.2196/24536

    You may also like