Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

White Noise vs BetterSleep

White Noise 4.8★ · $0.99 75
Winner White Noise
BetterSleep 4.7★ · Free + IAP 50

White Noise is the better choice for users seeking a simple, dependable background noise app, especially if they value a one-time purchase over a subscription model, despite some recent technical issues.

Full reviews: White Noise · BetterSleep

White Noise, a paid app, is generally praised for its reliability, sound variety, and mixing features, though recent updates have introduced bugs. BetterSleep, a freemium app, has a much larger user base but no reviews were provided for comparison.

Head to head

Features & Sound Variety edge: White NoiseR5R11R15R23
White Noise White Noise offers a good selection of sounds, including unique options like 'airplane' and 'crickets,' and users appreciate the ability to create custom mixes and download sounds from a market R5R11R15R23. Users also like the ability to pick the pitch of white noise and use brown noise .
BetterSleep No reviews were provided for BetterSleep to assess its features or sound variety.
Ease of Use edge: White NoiseR2R4R6R7
White Noise White Noise is generally considered easy to use and dependable R2. However, recent updates have caused issues with volume controls, requiring users to recalibrate or turn up their phone volume significantly R4R6R7. Some users also report problems with AirPods controls and the app taking over the lock screen .
BetterSleep No reviews were provided for BetterSleep to assess its ease of use.
Reliability & Performance tieR1R2R3R9
White Noise Historically, White Noise has been described as dependable, working flawlessly for years, and playing consistently through the night R2R3R9. However, recent updates have introduced significant bugs, including sound cutting out, sputtering, crashing, and stopping playing periodically R1R3R24. One user also reported an alarm setting issue .
BetterSleep No reviews were provided for BetterSleep to assess its reliability or performance.
Price & Value edge: White NoiseR16R29R40R50
White Noise White Noise is a paid app at $0.99, and many users consider it worth every penny, especially given its long-term utility and lack of pressure from ads R29R40R50. However, one review mentioned seeing ads in the paid version, which is a concern R16.
BetterSleep BetterSleep is a freemium app (Free + IAP). No reviews were provided to assess user perception of its value or IAP model.
Support tieR20R24
White Noise One user mentioned being unable to report a problem with White Noise R24. Another noted that the 'upgrade' button was broken, preventing purchase R20.
BetterSleep No reviews were provided for BetterSleep to assess its support.
Pick White Noise if

You are looking for a simple, one-time purchase app for background noise to aid sleep or concentration, and you appreciate a wide variety of sounds and the ability to create custom mixes R40. You are willing to overlook recent update issues in hopes of a fix R3R4R6.

Pick BetterSleep if

You prefer a freemium model and are looking for a sleep app with a potentially broader range of features beyond just white noise, assuming its IAP offers good value.

Evidence note: Evidence for BetterSleep is entirely absent, as no reviews were provided. The comparison for BetterSleep is based solely on its app store listing (Free + IAP) and general knowledge of freemium models. White Noise's reviews are heavily skewed by recent negative feedback regarding bugs and volume issues, despite a strong history of positive reviews.

Frequently asked

Does White Noise have a free version or trial?
Yes, White Noise has a free lite version, and users have reported upgrading to the full version after finding the free version satisfactory R49R50. The full version costs $0.99.
What kind of sounds does White Noise offer?
White Noise offers a variety of sounds including brown noise, airplane, crickets, rain, thunder, waves, rivers, waterfalls, and even dishwasher sounds, with options to mix sounds and adjust pitch R5R11R15R23.
Are there any known issues with White Noise?
Yes, recent updates to White Noise have caused several issues, including sound cutting out or sputtering, reduced or broken volume controls, problems with AirPods controls, and the app taking over the lock screen R1R3R4R6.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 60 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. [R5] White Noise 5/5 · US Solid Sleep Ambient App: Good selections…Perfect aid when needing some shut eye.
  2. [R11] White Noise 5/5 · US Airplane and me - many years: I must admit I am addicted to AIRPLANE. It helps me to concentrate when reading and in a way centers me.
  3. [R15] White Noise 5/5 · US Been using this for years: Great app. Love the variety of sounds and the timer. I’m a fan of the plane noise and the air conditioning.
  4. [R23] White Noise 5/5 · US Best Sleep Sounds: This is the only sound machine with an airplane sound that I’ve found. I use it every night at!
  5. [R2] White Noise 5/5 · US Dependable & Easy To Use: Dependable Always Available! And Always Easy To Use !!
  6. [R4] White Noise 2/5 · US Volume broken: Latest update completely messed up the volume levels. Put it back!
  7. [R6] White Noise 2/5 · US Volume reduced: You ruined the app in the most recent update. The overall volume is half of what it used to be.
  8. [R7] White Noise 4/5 · US Bad change: Making users recalibrate sound levels is really inconsiderate. Plus, forcing users to turn up the volume can lead to overheating, reduced battery life and other headaches. Please “Ctrl-Z” that change ASAP.
  9. [R1] White Noise 2/5 · US Noise ‘glitches out’ every 30 seconds: Seems like it’s a .wav file restarting? Very 90s. Note: this is on brown noise, also seeing others with this issue.
  10. [R3] White Noise 3/5 · US Bug in update causes cutting out: Has worked flawlessly for years and been my go-to solution for white noise, but the most recent update on ios26 causes the sound to cut out and sputter, especially when connected to my Sonos system. This was not a problem before, but as soon as I updated, it became an issue. I've tried uninstalling, updating everything, disconnecting and connecting....still no sol
  11. [R9] White Noise 5/5 · US Best app for sleeping!: I’ve been using this for years! I love this app!!
  12. [R16] White Noise 2/5 · US Shows ads in paid version: No way to turn them off 😥
  13. [R29] White Noise 5/5 · US Good selection and reliable: This app has a good selection of sounds and is reliable to use. They do not pressure with ads, but have better things if you want to purchase them. It will play through the night consistently with no problems - which for some reason - I find to be a problem with other apps. I’ve used this one for 3+ years now. Highly recommend.
  14. [R40] White Noise 5/5 · US One of the best apps out there: I’ve had this for years and it’s honestly one of the best apps out there. Worth every penny. The ability to record a cozy or relaxing sound whenever you encounter one is just great, and the fact that the UI and features have stayed exactly the same for years is a HUGE plus for me, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. I also like how you can get other people’s sounds a
  15. [R50] White Noise 5/5 · US My new go-to sleep app: I was using a different app for years when they jacked up the price. The free version of this app is so good I paid for the upgrade just to support the project. I only recently found the mix feature, which was what I was really missing from before. That makes it pretty close to perfect in my book!
  16. [R20] White Noise 1/5 · US Can’t purchase! It’s broken.: Upgrade takes you to the App Store to get it, not buy it. Dah! iPhone 12.
  17. [R24] White Noise 2/5 · US Used to love: Not much to say this has been awesome and bullet proof since I bought it my only complaint no backup for mixes or anything. Now it just stops working and crashes within the last month and I have already deleted it and reloaded and it continues to crash or just stop playing. This is new behavior I use it every day and night this has never happened until very recently yay I CANNOT R
  18. [R49] White Noise 5/5 · US Great app: I have been using this app for years to help me sleep better and for meditation/quiet time. I first used the free lite version and then purchased the full version. I love being able to combine sounds and there is an extensive library from which to choose from. I have even contributed a couple of sounds. My go-to sound is a mix of ocean and windy beach grass. I keep the app on both my ph

Synthesized from 60 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store