The best sleep apps for iPhone, honestly compared
Stories, meditation, tracking or a schedule: sleep apps work in very different ways. Tap what sounds like you and the list re-sorts to show your best fit.
What sounds like you? Tap all that apply
The list below re-sorts to put your best fit first.
Calm
Best for: You fall asleep best to stories and soothing audio, and it's the best-known sleep app.
Headspace
Best for: You want to learn meditation step by step with expert courses, and it's hugely trusted.
Rise
Best for: You want sleep-debt numbers and an energy schedule, and it's an established, well-reviewed app.
Sleep Cycle
Best for: You want detailed overnight tracking and a smart alarm, and it's one of the best-known sleep apps.
SleepwardMade by us
Best for: Your sleep starts going wrong before you're even in bed, and you want a calm routine to fix that.
At a glance
| App | Price to start | App Store ratings |
|---|---|---|
| Calm | Free download, optional subscription | 4.8 from about 2 million ratings |
| Headspace | Free download, optional subscription | 4.8 from about 974,000 ratings |
| Rise | Yearly subscription | 4.7 from about 74,000 ratings |
| Sleep Cycle | Free download, optional Premium | 4.7 from about 32,000 ratings |
| Sleepward (ours) | Subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase | Newer, fewer ratings so far |
Facts from each app's App Store listing, November 2026. Apps marked "made by us" come from Honest Little Apps, the studio behind this page. We list them last on purpose: the picker decides, not us.
Sleepward: Bedtime Routine gives your day a clear ending with a guided wind-down routine. No accounts, no ads, and your records stay on your device. Subscription or one-time lifetime purchase.
Free on the App StoreQuestions
What is the best sleep app for iPhone?
Calm suits people who fall asleep to stories, Headspace people learning to meditate, Sleep Cycle people who want tracking and a smart alarm, and Rise people managing sleep debt.
Why are your own apps on this list?
We make them, so we say so on every card. We list them last and let the picker, based on your answers, decide which app fits.
Where did these facts come from?
From each app's App Store listing in November 2026. Prices and features change, so check the listing before you decide.
Updated November 12, 2026.
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