White Noise alternatives
Users seek alternatives to White Noise due to bugs, confusing pricing, and outdated design. Alternatives like Calm and BetterSleep offer guided meditations and sleep stories, while other white noise apps focus on sound quality or specific features like fan sounds.
Why users look for alternatives to White Noise
- Users report frequent app crashes and bugs, including freezing at startup, sounds cutting out on the lock screen, and the app randomly shutting down.R10R16R19R21
- The app's pricing structure is confusing, with users paying for a 'regular' version only to find a 'pro' version, and some paid versions still displaying pop-up ads.R4R6
- The user interface is described as old, clunky, and messy, with issues like difficult swiping between sounds and an inaccessible recording feature for VoiceOver users.R3R7R12
- The app can drain battery quickly and cause phones to get warm, indicating inefficient processing.R9
- Recent updates have introduced unwanted changes, such as a large image on the lock screen that makes the clock tiny, and changes to original sounds.R1R15
- Some features, like the Apple Watch app, do not work independently from the phone, and users are forced to download separate apps for more sounds.R7R13R18
The alternatives
No reviews were provided for Calm, so its offerings cannot be detailed based on user feedback.
Better for: There are too few reviews to judge who this app suits better.
Head-to-head: White Noise vs CalmNo reviews were provided for BetterSleep, so its offerings cannot be detailed based on user feedback.
Better for: There are too few reviews to judge who this app suits better.
Head-to-head: White Noise vs BetterSleepNo reviews were provided for White Noise Lite, so its offerings cannot be detailed based on user feedback.
Better for: There are too few reviews to judge who this app suits better.
Head-to-head: White Noise vs White Noise LiteWhite Noise Deep Sleep Sounds offers a wide variety of high-quality sounds, including fan sounds, and allows users to mix two sounds together R64. The free version is considered good and useful by users R54R55. It is effective for helping both adults and children sleep, and some users appreciate that sounds can play simultaneously with other content like Audible .
Better for: This app is better for users who want a good selection of free sounds and the ability to mix them R54R55R64. It is also suitable for those who need specific fan sounds or want to play white noise alongside other audio content . However, users should be aware that many sounds are behind a subscription paywall and the app can cause battery drain and phone overheating R51R53R57.
Head-to-head: White Noise vs White Noise Deep Sleep SoundsNo reviews were provided for Bedtime Fan, so its offerings cannot be detailed based on user feedback.
Better for: There are too few reviews to judge who this app suits better.
Head-to-head: White Noise vs Bedtime FanYou should stick with White Noise if you value a wide range of customizable sounds, including the ability to edit pitch, volume, and sound location, and create custom mixes R8R14R25R27. It is particularly effective for tinnitus masking and helping babies and children sleep R11R17R30R33. Many long-term users find it to be the best value and most effective app for their needs, often using it daily for years R5R8R33.
Evidence note: Calm, BetterSleep, White Noise Lite, and Bedtime Fan have too few reviews to draw conclusions about their features or suitability.
Frequently asked
Is White Noise a paid app?
Does White Noise help with tinnitus?
Can White Noise be used for babies?
Does White Noise have custom sound options?
What reviewers actually said
Built only from these 64 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.
- [R10] White Noise Too clunky will only resume randomly: Crashes a lot
- [R16] White Noise Crashes after latest update, not happy - pls fix :(: please please fix !!!!!
- [R19] White Noise Mix won’t make: I downloaded but everyone I make a new mix it sends to main menu of iPhone and rejects them, I tried again and it does it again, I want this bug fixed so I make new mixes, the new copy mix button is here and generator costs $0.99 now, I want to makes mixes and It still won’t work, PLEASE FIX THIS
- [R21] White Noise Does the job but a little buggy: Decent selection of sounds and the ability to make your own mixes is nice, but, it’s quite buggy with frequent freezes at startup and updates have a nasty habit of deleting favourites and mixes. Needs work on the UI and stability
- [R4] White Noise Paid version with ads: This app is good, but the paid version still has popup ads
- [R6] White Noise Good app/ scam at it’s finest: Downloaded the light version not knowing there is another one, then paid for the”regular” version, just to have to pay for a pro version. Deleting the app immediately and sticking with MyNoise. #annoyed
- [R3] White Noise Swiping speed: It’s a great app with a good market of sounds, but they refuse to fix the swiping speed between sounds. It is almost impossible to move to the correct sound as the slightest swipe moves backwards or forwards by several sounds.
- [R7] White Noise Old and lots of bugs: This app still looks like it’s 16 years old like something from 2009. I have had this app now for over 6 years. It used to work great but now a lot of things are broken and the layout is a total mess. Another negative is that the developer has forced its users for no reason at all to download a separate app after you have this one, just to be able to add in extra sounds to th
- [R12] White Noise App is completely inaccessible when trying to record a your own sound using VoiceOver.: The app is brilliant aside from one really annoying problem! When using VoiceOver to read the screen, you cannot record your own sounds as it is completely inaccessible so is therefore useless to a blind person. It’s even more infuriating being as I’ve bought the app. And if a user is paying for the premium fe
- [R9] White Noise Good but uses a lot of battery: This is a decent app with lots of sounds. However when the white noise is playing it clearly uses a lot of processing power as the phone gets warm and the battery goes down very fast. Would be good if the devs could make it more efficient.
- [R1] White Noise Latest Update Annoying: In the latest update, the lock screen you get a large image of the sound you’re listening to, which means the clock Is no longer the same large font it normally is and instead it’s tiny and at the top of the screen. This means you have to squint to see it - not great when you’ve just woken up and want to see the time. Change it back please!
- [R15] White Noise Update: No happy about the change to the originals sounds that have been in the app for years now ☹️
- [R13] White Noise Apple Watch app: It does not appear to work independently from a phone, even with Bluetooth headphones connected to the watch. Any sounds played gets played through a phone. Spotify have got it right.
- [R18] White Noise It’s ok but...: I love the app and it’s great for calming! But one thing bothers me. I find it a bad thing to download another app just to get access to more sounds. I mean yes people will download it,but for the people who don’t have enough space and don’t want to delete anything or download anything, it’s annoying.
- [R51] White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds Incredible app… limited by a subscription paywall.: This app has some of the best sounds on the market. However, due to the greedy company who created it, you have to pay monthly in order to use it to its full extent. A one time payment would make sense, however a subscription based model for a white noise app is purely ridiculous.
- [R53] White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds Burns up your phone: This app is very poorly optimized, it kills your battery and overheats the phone. You must leave your phone charging while using the app otherwise it will drain your battery and the phone will shutdown in the middle of the night. However even if your phone is plugged in, it will not charge above 80% because it gets too hot, you’ll see the warning screen, “iPhone will continue
- [R54] White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds Simple and effective: This app has come in clutch when I’m on the go and the baby needs a nap. I really appreciate that the free version is actually good and useful! 5/5
- [R55] White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds Do not recommend: I would like to update AFTER the product developers response. I’ve used the app for a few months now because it does have A LOT of free options. However the issue I have is not with the fact it’s a subscription. It’s the fact that when you find a sleep option that works with your sleep pattern, brain, etc. when you find what you’re looking for in the free options and you use it f
- [R5] White Noise Best sound app: Used the free version for a number of years so thought it was only right to buy full version. Best sound app, thank you Devs.
- [R32] White Noise Awesome App: I downloaded the free version which is fantastic ( it’s so good it shouldn’t be free!) it does exactly what it says on the tin. Was so impressed I paid 0.99 for the upgrade. Many thanks nice app
- [R11] White Noise Best app for tinnitus masking: Highly recommend it!
- [R30] White Noise Tinitus relief and calm: Great app helped me with the offset of tinitus, highly recommended.
- [R42] White Noise Tinnitus Mask: I started using this app and started to sleep! It’s that simple. Generated blue/white noise is the best. 👍
- [R46] White Noise Use this app daily: As a tinnitus sufferer with a baby, I use this app every day to help both of us sleep! I find the paid version is better because I can run white noise for the baby as I use other apps on my phone.
- [R17] White Noise Best Sleeping App For Kids: I’ve had this app for eight years. I have played it to my kids while they were in their mommy’s tummy and now, years later they still sleep to it at night. It quiets their minds and helps them to relax and drift off peacefully. This has been one of my best childcare decisions ever. 😁
- [R33] White Noise Excellent app esp. For babies and toddlers: This is one app I've been using for over 5 years for our son who is now 6 (using it for our second baby too now). Works a charm to help him sleep and not get distracted by outside noises and wake up. Even I use it sometimes. Thoroughly recommended. Subsequent entry - still using this app for 6-7 years collecting soundscapes in different parts of the w
- [R39] White Noise Brilliant for baby: Helps my baby sleep soundly AND I can do other stuff while she sleeps the only downside is I've been meaning to do this review for a year and a half!!
- [R48] White Noise Great App: Have found this fantastic for our 18 month old who has always liked sleeping when there is some background noise. This app is absolutely ideal. Gets him to sleep quickly and he then stays asleep got to be a bonus!!
- [R8] White Noise You’re great, never change, never leave!: I love this app. Hand on heart, I use it every single day when getting to sleep and I’ve used it every day for like 10 years and not just for sleeping, but studying and reading too. It’s not just about the sounds but being able to edit pitch, volume, sound location relative to headphones, vary how the sound moves around your head is really great! You ca
- [R14] White Noise Great and really helps.: I have tried many of these apps and keep returning to this one. Downloadable sounds, high quality sounds, settings to fine tune, it is all just perfect. I can’t recommend it enough.
- [R25] White Noise Perfect Mixes: Allowed me to create the exact mix of sounds I find the most relaxing for sleeping with a couple of easy downloads from the great selection on the Market. Being able to fade in a mix as a gentle wake up is a feature I didn’t know I needed but I’d now indispensable. Worth every penny.
- [R27] White Noise Fantastic white noise app: I love this app. So many sounds available, I can create endless mixes so easily, add my own sounds…what else can one ask for? Thank you 😊
- [R57] White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds Terrible.: You need to purchase to have all the sleep sounds. 0% recommended. What r u guys thinking?!
- [R64] White Noise Deep Sleep Sounds AWSOME!!! AMAZING APP!!! 5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: I LOVE this app the only thing I would change is make more free sounds but other than that this app is amazing the free sounds are fine but if you like a sound that you listened to from the new noises you can put those into your mix because you can mix two together or just one song and just go back and forth on the mix and keep them for free but you can
Synthesized from 64 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store