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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

BetterSleep

10
User verdict / 100 High confidence In trouble

BetterSleep, an app with a long history of positive user experience, has recently implemented significant paywalls, leading to widespread user dissatisfaction and a sharp decline in its perceived value, despite its previously acclaimed sound quality and mixing capabilities.

4.7★ lifetime (390,518) Free + in-app purchases since 2009 by BetterSleep Health, LLC updated 0.6 mo ago recent negative 90% 50 reviews across 1 regions
Paywall/Subscription Loss of Free Content Subscription Management Issues App Quality/Effectiveness
5★0
4★2
3★3
2★4
1★41
recent reviews across 1 regions, vs the 4.7★ lifetime average

BetterSleep, an app previously lauded for its extensive free sleep sounds and mixing features, has recently shifted to a subscription-based model, locking most content behind a paywall. This change has alienated long-time users who feel the app is no longer usable without payment, despite its high lifetime rating reflecting past satisfaction.

What users like

  • Offers a wide variety of sounds and the ability to mix them for personalized sleep aidR7R13R25R26
  • Effective in helping users fall asleep and manage anxietyR12R23

What users complain about

  • Most sounds and features are now behind a paywall, requiring a subscription for accessR1R2R4R6
  • Existing custom sound mixes are now locked behind a subscription for long-time usersR25R26R31R32
  • Users report issues with trial cancellation and unexpected chargesR3R14R46
  • The app is perceived as greedy and no longer offers value compared to its previous free modelR2R4R33R34
  • Some users experienced their previous one-time purchases or subscriptions becoming invalid, requiring new paymentsR5R29R45R49
  • The app is glitchy and crashes for some usersR13
  • Lack of an option to turn off white noise at a specific morning timeR23

Latest update · v26.11

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

Gentle fixes for a more soothing bedtime routine.

Recurring themes

Paywall/Subscription negative
The overwhelming majority of recent reviews criticize the app for moving almost all its content, including previously free sounds and user-created mixes, behind a mandatory subscription paywall. Users feel betrayed, describing the change as 'greedy' and rendering the app 'useless' without payment. This directly contradicts the app's history as a largely free service.R1R2R4R6
Loss of Free Content negative
Many long-time users express deep disappointment that sounds they have used for years, some even for a decade, are no longer free. This includes basic white noise, rain, and thunderstorm sounds, as well as their personalized mixes. This change has led many to delete the app and seek alternatives.R1R4R8R9
Subscription Management Issues negative
Several users reported problems with the subscription process, including not receiving trial expiration notifications, being signed up for annual service instead of a trial, and being charged after cancellation. Some also noted that previous one-time purchases or existing subscriptions became invalid, requiring new payments.R3R5R14R29
App Quality/Effectiveness mixed
While the core functionality of providing sleep sounds and meditations is generally praised for its effectiveness in helping users sleep and calm anxiety, some users note the app can be clunky or glitchy. One user also wished for a specific morning shut-off timer.R3R12R13R23

Who it's for

This app is for users who are willing to pay a monthly or annual subscription for a wide variety of high-quality sleep sounds, meditations, and the ability to mix custom soundscapes R7R13. It might appeal to those who prioritize a dedicated sleep app over free alternatives like YouTube R34. It is NOT for users seeking a free sleep sound app, as nearly all content is now paywalled R1R2R6. It's also not for those who expect their previous purchases or long-standing free access to be honored R5R29R45.

Evidence note: The recent reviews are overwhelmingly negative, focusing almost exclusively on the new paywall and subscription model. While the lifetime rating is high, the recent sentiment indicates a significant negative trajectory due to a fundamental change in the app's monetization strategy. The developer's notes about 'gentle fixes' do not address the core user complaints about paywalls or subscription issues.

Frequently asked

Is BetterSleep free to use?
No, BetterSleep is no longer primarily free; while the download is free, almost all sounds, mixes, and features are now behind a mandatory subscription paywall, with only a handful of free sounds available R1R2R6R10.
What happened to the free sounds and mixes in BetterSleep?
Many long-time users report that sounds they have used for years, including basic white noise, rain, thunderstorms, and their custom mixes, have been moved behind a 'premium' paywall, requiring a subscription for access R13R24R25R31.
Are there issues with BetterSleep's subscription or trial?
Yes, some users have reported issues such as not receiving notifications before trials expire, being automatically signed up for annual subscriptions instead of trials, and being charged unexpectedly after canceling R3R14R46.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 50 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.

  1. [R7] 4/5 · US It been enjoyable BUT…: I was able to trial it. It has lots and lots of options but out of my app range. It is the most expensive app and I cannot justify the cost.
  2. [R13] 2/5 · US It COULD be great: Listen, I have been using this app for years. It has the best sounds and ability to mix sounds for sleep. That being said, it is extremely glitchy and often crashes. What’s worse, today I opened it and all of sudden the free sounds I have been using for years are now “premium” and I need to pay an annual fee. I literally do not use ANYTHING else in this app. No meditations, no s
  3. [R25] 1/5 · US App ruined by subscription.: I’ve been using this app for years and it’s been one of the only things that have helped with my sleep. I’ve raved and put so many people on to it, only to open it today and find that mixes i’ve had for years are now behind a pay wall. I even tried to make new mixes but there were only 15 out of the 300+ sounds that were still free to use. Extremely disappointed is an
  4. [R26] 2/5 · US All you want is my money: I opened my app tonight to use it, only to find that every sound on my mic was made premium since the last time I used it. This is incredibly disappointing as I have used this app for a long time. I loved the versatility and ability to edit mixes. I was really looking forward to my mix that I had perfected. And now it feels like there is a very very very slim variety of s
  5. [R12] 3/5 · US PAYWALL??: I’ve been using this app to help my anxiety at night since I tend to have trouble sleeping and the meditations calm me. Now there’s a paywall?? What gives!? The app is barely usable now and for what? Please change it back. We’re begging you; don’t be like other apps these days. I really don’t know of a better white noise app.
  6. [R23] 4/5 · US Good app: Great app that definitely helps me fall asleep fall asleep. I just wish that in addition to the timer to have my White Noise turn off I could have it turn off at a specific time in the morning.
  7. [R1] 1/5 · US Lost my business: Sorry but considering me and plenty of others have used this app consistently for years and now with no warning pretty much everything you have to pay to use? It’s simple sounds that 100+ other apps are offering. Deleting this app for good
  8. [R2] 1/5 · US I was exceptionally happy with this App, until they instituted monthly subscription: This is become pure greed. I understand they benefit from the good ratings, but those ratings are based on prior experiences when the app was free. It is completely necessary to purchase now in order to use. Quite disappointed, will not pay a monthly fee. I’m sorry. Thanks for the years of use.
  9. [R4] 1/5 · US They got greedy!: I’m so disappointed to find that they’re now charging for damn near everything! I’ve been using this app for years and now all of a sudden there’s about 5 sounds that are free. Being mostly free was what made this app different, now they got greedy like everyone else. People can’t even afford gas or groceries, let alone “luxuries” like sleep; so disgusting!
  10. [R6] 1/5 · US Basically no free options: It’s very disappointed that the BetterSleep app put almost every sound behind a pay wall now. There are maybe 23 sounds that you can actually use without without paying. This makes the app utterly useless. I’ve chosen to use the built-in Apple sound generator.
  11. [R31] 1/5 · US Put all of my mixes behind a pay wall: This app used to be great for free users. Now my mixes I’ve been using for months to years are locked behind a pay wall.
  12. [R32] 1/5 · US Subscription Required??: Honestly so sad to even be writing this review as I’ve used this app since I was in college in 2016 and have loved everything about it. I curated my perfect bedtime mix of slow waves and waterfall only to find out tonight that I now have to pay to access these sounds. I’m so disappointed as this was by far my favorite white noise app, but now I will be finding a different
  13. [R3] 1/5 · US The best thing I did for my sleep was cancel this app: I signed up for the 7-day free trial (there’s no free tier) because of the high rating and they said they’d notify me before it expires. The content is decent, but the app is clunky and I only opened it once. What pushed me to write this was trying to leave. They promise a reminder one day before the trial ends so you can cancel. I never go
  14. [R14] 1/5 · US Bait and switch: I told offered 7 day trial. When i signed up it was for a year of service without 7 day trial. Trying to get a refund has been a pain in the a**
  15. [R46] 1/5 · US Watch out!: This app has great content, BUT beware of them taking money out of your account after you cancel your subscription. I canceled my subscription to this app in my settings and never renewed it. They decided they were going to steal my money from me. Watch out.
  16. [R33] 1/5 · US Greedy: They have made pretty much all sounds cost money now. Go find a better option, thank me later. Also can’t wait to see the bs canned response about how this is a paid service when it has not been for as long as I remember it.
  17. [R34] 1/5 · US what for!: why do I have to pay money to gets sounds to sleep. I’d rather just go on YouTube this is pure greed bro
  18. [R5] 1/5 · US Feel Screwed: I paid $5 after already having used the app for my daughters sleep sounds and they all of a sudden wanted payment. Now that payment goes towards nothing? I opened the app again a couple months later and now they’re charging a monthly fee. So my money went towards nothing and I should’ve just found another app already.. because who charges for the sound of rain? Bonkers.
  19. [R29] 1/5 · US Not everything needs to be a monthly subscription…: This used to be an amazing app. If you bought the premium app (one time purchase, for the premium version of the app) you got access to the entire app and features. Then they changed to the monthly plans. This change was done without notification to the user, which goes against the terms and conditions of purchase of the premium version of the ap
  20. [R45] 1/5 · US Garbage app has gotten worse and worse: TLDR: used to be free and good, then required to pay for the app to keep using it, now requiring a monthly subscription to keep using it even though I previously paid. Time to find a new app. I've had this app for a long time, since before it had its current name. I don't use all of the "fancy" features but I do have a custom mix of multiple different wate
  21. [R49] 1/5 · US Love love love!: Update - after this new update my subscription disappeared and now it’s making me pay more for a new subscription to use literally any sound other than like 5 that are free. I’ve been using this for YEARS and already paid for a subscription. This is BS. I don't usually take the time to review apps, but this one really deserves it (and it keeps asking me to rate it lol). I downlo
  22. [R8] 1/5 · US Capitalism wins again: I’ve used this app nightly for years and have loved it. Just went to turn it on tonight before bed to find that they’ve randomly locked it behind a paywall. Just wanted to listen to a fan sound so i could sleep. So disappointing.
  23. [R9] 1/5 · US UPDATED AND NOW NOTHING IS FREE: Took away all free sounds.
  24. [R10] 3/5 · US Ugh: I’ve used this app for many years and it started off free and had optional subscriptions. The free sounds were limited but I was happy with the options and still able to blend them into my own sound. Now I can’t even listen to a limited amount of sounds. I can listen to nothing and only get nonstop offers for upgrading and blah blah. Very bummed by that so I will be finding something else
  25. [R24] 1/5 · US NO THUNDERSTORM SOUNDS: This app was my go to. It was the first one that popped up when I first considered sleep sounds, now THUNDERSTORMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE!!!! I have OCD having my sleep sounds change (I must pay for it??? On top of everything else right now??? Gas prices!!!$??? In this economy?!????!!) You’d think you would be able to sleep for free? NOPE. Been loyal for 5 years to this app, onl

Synthesized from 50 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store