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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Rain Rain Sleep Sounds vs Calm

Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 4.8★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 85
Winner Rain Rain Sleep Sounds
Calm 4.8★ · Free + IAP 60

Rain Rain Sleep Sounds is the better choice for users primarily seeking ambient sounds for sleep and focus, offering a strong free tier and high-quality soundscapes, while Calm struggles with customer service and paywall complaints.

Full reviews: Rain Rain Sleep Sounds · Calm

Rain Rain Sleep Sounds excels in providing effective, high-quality ambient sounds, with many users relying on its free tier for years to aid sleep and focus. Calm, while offering a broader range of wellbeing content, faces significant criticism regarding its customer service, aggressive paywalls, and difficulties with subscriptions and cancellations.

Head to head

Features and Content Variety tieR3R7R11R15
Rain Rain Sleep Sounds Rain Rain Sleep Sounds offers a wide variety of rain and ambient sounds, with users appreciating the ability to mix and layer different options to create custom soundscapes R15R28R34. Many users find the free selection sufficient and effective for sleep and focus R20R32R46R48. Some users, however, note a shift where more sounds are now behind a paywall, which is disappointing R3R7R11.
Calm Calm provides a broader range of content including sleep stories, meditations, and work focus music, which users find valuable for managing anxiety, stress, and improving sleep habits . However, a significant portion of content is paywalled, leading to frustration among users . There are also complaints about misleading claims regarding EMDR content and a perceived decrease in new sleep stories .
Ease of Use and Interface edge: Rain Rain Sleep SoundsR12R27R28R34
Rain Rain Sleep Sounds Users generally praise Rain Rain Sleep Sounds for its simplicity and ease of use, highlighting that nothing is overcomplicated and sounds are easy to find R28. The ability to layer sounds and set sleep timers is also appreciated R27R28R34. However, some recent reviews indicate the interface has become too feature-rich and complicated compared to its original clear and simple design R12.
Calm Calm receives criticism for its user interface and discoverability, with users finding it difficult to navigate and locate specific content, such as EMDR tracks or saved favorites . Despite valuable content, the poor design can lead to frustration .
Effectiveness for Sleep and Relaxation tieR5R11R13R17
Rain Rain Sleep Sounds Rain Rain Sleep Sounds is highly effective for sleep and relaxation, with many users reporting falling asleep quickly R5R13 and using the app for years to manage conditions like tinnitus and ADHD R11R17R30. Users consistently recommend it for its ability to block out external noise and provide a peaceful environment .
Calm Calm is also effective for improving sleep and reducing anxiety, with users reporting better sleep habits and feeling calmer . It's recommended by mental health professionals for managing stress and anxiety .
Price and Value edge: Rain Rain Sleep SoundsR3R4R6R7
Rain Rain Sleep Sounds Rain Rain Sleep Sounds offers a strong free tier with many useful sounds, which users appreciate R20R32R46. However, there are significant complaints about premium sounds being moved behind an expensive paywall, with some users feeling charged excessively after a free trial R3R4R6R7.
Calm Calm faces widespread criticism for its pricing model. Many users express frustration over the extensive paywall, stating that most of the app's content is inaccessible without a subscription . There are numerous complaints about being charged immediately after signing up for a 'free' trial, or being charged without warning after a trial ends, with annual subscriptions costing around £49-50 R58R70R74.
Customer Service and Subscription Management edge: Rain Rain Sleep SoundsR1R4R51R58
Rain Rain Sleep Sounds There is one review for Rain Rain Sleep Sounds mentioning a creepy experience with personal questions and heavy breathing sounds, which made the user feel unsafe R1. Another user reported being charged £34.99 for a free trial R4. However, there are no widespread complaints about customer service or subscription cancellation difficulties.
Calm Calm receives overwhelmingly negative feedback regarding its customer service and subscription management. Users report no response to messages, inability to cancel subscriptions, and being charged despite cancellation attempts R51R58R70. The process of canceling is described as frustrating and intentionally difficult, with hidden options and multiple pop-ups .
Pick Rain Rain Sleep Sounds if

you primarily need high-quality ambient sounds, especially rain and nature sounds, to aid sleep, focus, or manage tinnitus, and appreciate a robust free tier R17R28.

Pick Calm if

you are looking for a broader range of wellbeing content, including guided meditations and sleep stories, and are willing to pay for a subscription despite potential customer service and cancellation issues .

Evidence note: Calm's reviews are heavily skewed towards negative experiences with billing and customer service, overshadowing its content quality. Rain Rain Sleep Sounds has fewer negative reviews overall, but recent complaints about paywalls are notable.

Frequently asked

Is Rain Rain Sleep Sounds truly free?
Rain Rain Sleep Sounds has a strong free tier with many useful sounds, which users appreciate, but some premium sounds are now behind a paywall R20R32R46R48.
What are the main complaints about Calm?
The main complaints about Calm revolve around poor customer service, difficulties canceling subscriptions, and being charged immediately or without warning after a free trial, with annual subscriptions costing around £49-50 R51R58R70R74.
Which app is better for tinnitus relief?
Rain Rain Sleep Sounds is highly recommended by users for tinnitus relief, with many using it for years to reduce symptoms and aid sleep R17R30R33.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 100 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. [R3] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 3/5 · GB Rain rain: Should be able to buy separate sounds like before, disappointing it’s been took off
  2. [R7] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 1/5 · GB Used to be free sounds, now it’s all paywalled: They ruined it
  3. [R11] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 4/5 · GB Lovely but one problem: I find it hard to sleep because I have ADHD so it is hard for me and these sound help me relax and calm down The problem is some people my find it very difficult and hard to go to sleep and maybe the sounds they are looking for are for money and people may not have a lot of money so they can’t get to sleep well so maybe don’t make the sounds for money MY OPINION
  4. [R15] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Sleep inducing…..: The best app’ for bad sleepers! My custom rain, thunder and storm selection gently sends me off to sleep. Highly recommended 😴
  5. [R12] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 3/5 · GB Excellent sounds, but interface has become too complicated: I have used this app a great deal over a number of years to help with focus and relaxation. The basic, original sound is the best I know of in terms of tonality and effectiveness in blocking out external sounds. However, in my opinion, the app has grown to become too feature-rich and complicated to use, where once it was reasonably clear
  6. [R27] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Gets me to sleep: This app works like a charm. It gets me into a deep sleep quickly. I’ve been using this app for about 8 years and regularly use it between 4-5 times a week. My favourite is thunderstorms, rain on window and 3D rain all playing at once and I place my phone on the windowsill for an extra effect.
  7. [R28] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Untouchable: The only app I have ever used and I need to use! A huge catalog of sleep aid sounds which can be mixed together for your own perfect aid. Personally I go for rain on tent and thunder cracks. Just like camping out! The simplicity of the app is one of its key features, nothing is over complicated and easy to find. The sleep timer fades out sound over time. Many a times I have woke t
  8. [R34] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Simple, Relaxing, Good Quality: Can’t say much more than that. I’ve been using this app for about three years now. The sounds are varied and high quality. I especially like the function where you can layer different options to create custom soundscapes.
  9. [R5] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Great to get you off to sleep: Fall asleep in moments with these in the background, would recommend
  10. [R13] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Rain rain: It’s so good the first night that I used this was soo good I really think that if u can’t sleep at night use this app I fell asleep in 3 minutes
  11. [R17] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Danny: I was told there was no cure to the tinnitus I had been diagnosed. They were correct. Three very long weird years struggling to sleep killed me. Then I found this app. Truth. Several years later, this app still shines! Couldn’t recommend it highly enough 🙏 Thank you ☔️ 🌧️ . Personal recommendation: Mississippi, log fire, and Thunder (turned up).
  12. [R4] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 1/5 · GB Watch out: Have been charged 34.99 for a free trial . Shockingly expensive for something I’ve used once
  13. [R6] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 3/5 · GB My favourite: Don’t really like it bc it like technically Like some of them this year or monthly chill and I’m not gonna pay for an app who would like it’s a waste of money you don’t even know if it is and I am seven year old okay? So like I don’t know if it will cause I don’t have this thing called a partner I just sleep by myself. my sister sleeps in a different room so I only have one sister so
  14. [R1] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 1/5 · GB creepy: asked me loads of questions about my sleeping patterns, whether i wake up in the night, whether i sleep with anyone else near me or in bed with me, i thought ok weird but i answered them. so i go to put some rain and thunder sounds on and i can hear some guy breathing heavily. those two things together really creeped me out and i don't feel safe lol.
  15. [R51] Calm 1/5 · GB No customer service: Be careful. This app seems to be the opposite of what it purports to be about - no human involvement at all. I was overcharged for my subscription and messaged via the two methods suggested on two separate dates and got no response to either message. I’m worried about trying to cancel and obtain a refund as I doubt the bots would return my money and I would lose the use of the
  16. [R58] Calm 1/5 · GB Appalling customer service.: I saw a Calm ad on Instagram & paid for a 3 month subscription which I can’t access. That was a week ago, I have had three emails telling me their customer services are extremely busy & someone will get back to me. No one has, despite me contacting them several more times. I have asked for a full refund but still no reply. This is not my idea of ‘Calm’ & I would reco
  17. [R20] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 4/5 · GB Free app is worth it: Great app to fall asleep to. You used to be able to buy premium sounds as well, but these days they are all behind a paywall with a ludicrously expensive monthly fee so I don’t bother with the premium sounds these days.
  18. [R32] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Great app: Lots of great free sounds.
  19. [R46] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Really recommend so relaxing😌: I have been using this app for about three years now and I have also bought premium but even without it it feels so nice to get a good night sleep. I highly recommend this if you struggle to sleep ever since COVID-19, I’ve been having a lot of restless nights, so I decided to download this app and there’s so many sounds for free and it helped me so much especially th
  20. [R48] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Amazing to help sleep !: Very great app, would highly recommend, amazing free selection and more for purchase! Helps me sleep at night (can’t sleep without this app 😭)
  21. [R70] Calm 1/5 · GB Beware - took money despite a cancellation: Wish I could do zero stars. I subscribed and cancelled my subscription via Apple on the same day. Despite charged me )49.99 which I am now fighting to get back nearly a week later. Query response times are slow. I’m going to flag this as a fraudulent transaction with my bank if they don’t pay up. It’s not Apple’s fault either. They need to rename their a
  22. [R74] Calm 1/5 · GB No warning when free trial ends: I had no warning when my free trial ended and was automatically charged £49! I specifically started the trial because it said they will warn me before it expires!!! I did not like the app that much to spend that much on it especially in January!!!! DO NIT START FREE TRIAL UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO SUBSCRIBE FOR A YEAR!!!!
  23. [R30] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Very Rekaxing: Really enjoy this app, great for when I get tinnitus at night.
  24. [R33] Rain Rain Sleep Sounds 5/5 · GB Love this!!: I have this on all night to reduce the tinnitus that I suffer from - i Bluetooth it to my eye mask and it helps me so much! Defo recommend this!

Synthesized from 100 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store