Best Free Sleep Tracking Apps (2025 Review)

If you’ve ever woken up groggy and thought, “Did I even sleep last night?” — a sleep tracking app might be your new best friend. These apps monitor how long and how well you sleep, helping you understand your sleep habits and what might be causing poor rest.

Sleep tracking can be particularly useful if:

• You’re trying to improve sleep quality or consistency.

• You suspect you’re not getting enough deep or REM sleep.

• You want to monitor the impact of new sleep habits, like a new bedtime or reduced caffeine.

While wearable tech like the Oura Ring or Apple Watch offers advanced insights, many free apps offer surprisingly accurate data — just by using your smartphone’s microphone or motion sensors.

Best Free Sleep Tracking Apps in 2025

Below are the top-rated sleep tracking apps available for free (iOS and Android), reviewed based on accuracy, features, ease of use, and UK user availability.

1. Sleep Cycle

Best for: Smart alarm and gentle wake-up

Sleep Cycle uses your phone’s microphone to analyse sounds and vibrations while you sleep. It tracks your sleep phases and gently wakes you in your lightest sleep phase — reducing grogginess.

• Platform: iOS, Android

• Free features: Smart alarm, basic sleep analysis, sleep notes

• Premium upgrade: Yes (for in-depth analytics and snore detection)

Standout: Smart wake-up is genuinely useful if you struggle with harsh alarms.

2. SleepScore

Best for: In-depth sleep analysis without a wearable

Developed using science-backed algorithms, SleepScore analyses breathing and movement to deliver sleep insights and personalised tips.

• Platform: iOS, Android

• Free features: Sleep stage tracking, sleep score, sleep trends

• Premium upgrade: Yes (for long-term trends and goal setting)

Standout: Used in peer-reviewed research and validated against polysomnography.

3. Pillow

Best for: Apple users who want beautiful UI

Pillow integrates seamlessly with Apple Health and uses audio analysis and motion sensors for sleep tracking. It’s ideal for iPhone or Apple Watch users.

• Platform: iOS only

• Free features: Sleep session tracking, heart rate data with Apple Watch

• Premium upgrade: Yes (audio recordings, detailed trends)

Standout: Excellent for Apple Watch users who want a sleek, intuitive interface.

4. Sleep as Android

Best for: Android users who want customisation

Sleep as Android is a powerful app with a huge range of features. It uses your phone’s sensors to track cycles and integrates with wearables like Galaxy Watch and Fitbit.

• Platform: Android

• Free features: Sleep tracking, smart alarm, noise recording

• Premium upgrade: Yes (after trial period for advanced analytics)

Standout: Lots of third-party integrations and snore recording features.

5. PrimeNap

Best for: No-frills Android sleep tracking

If you want a lightweight, easy-to-use sleep tracker without in-app purchases and clutter, PrimeNap is a strong choice.

• Platform: Android

• Free features: Sleep duration, cycles, statistics

• Premium upgrade: None — it’s free and straightforward

  
  

Standout: Completely free, minimalistic design — ideal for data lovers.

6. Sleep Monitor

Best for: Snore tracking

Sleep Monitor uses your phone’s microphone to record sounds during the night, tracking snoring, sleep talking, and other audio indicators.

• Platform: Android

• Free features: Snore analysis, sleep trends, noise recording

• Premium upgrade: Yes (for more detailed recordings)

Standout: Great for people who want to explore their snoring or strange noises at night.

7. ShutEye

Best for: Relaxation sounds and sleep tracking combo

ShutEye is popular for combining ambient sounds with basic sleep tracking. The free version includes a sleep diary, dream journal, and noise detection.

• Platform: iOS, Android

• Free features: Sleep tracking, snore detection, sounds

• Premium upgrade: Yes

Standout: A great all-in-one app for mindfulness, audio, and sleep data.

How Accurate Are Free Sleep Tracking Apps?

Free sleep apps can’t match the gold standard of sleep labs, but many offer surprisingly useful data. They use microphones and accelerometers to infer sleep phases — and while they may not differentiate sleep stages perfectly, they do reliably track:

• Sleep duration

• Consistency

• Wake-ups

• Nocturnal disturbances (snoring, movement, sounds)

Apps like SleepScore and Sleep Cycle have been independently validated and show strong correlation with clinical-grade tools. That said, use sleep trackers as trend tools — not medical diagnostics.

Should You Upgrade to a Paid Plan?

Most free apps are very functional, but if you want:

• Long-term sleep trend graphs

• More accurate REM/deep sleep data

• Exportable data

• Advanced coaching or reports

…then a premium version might be worth it.

For example, Sleep Cycle Premium offers audio analysis, while Pillow Premium offers full waveform views and journaling.

Final Thoughts

The best sleep tracking app is the one you’ll actually use. If you want a simple, free tool to help improve sleep, Sleep Cycle, SleepScore, and Sleep as Android are excellent places to start. Combine tracking with healthy bedtime habits, and you’re on your way to better, more restorative nights.