Sleep apps

Nearly everyone has difficulty getting to sleep from time to time, but for some people this can be a regular ongoing problem. Just over half of Kiwis say they never wake up feeling refreshed, while 25% report having ongoing sleep problems. There's a variety of mobile apps available for use on your smartphone or tablet that can be helpful if you have sleep problems. Some apps enable you to track your sleep habits, similar to a sleep diary, and help you develop good sleep routines, while others try to assist you to fall asleep by using calming visual graphics and relaxing music. 

App name Features Clinical Review

Sleepio
  • Online 6-week programme
  • CBT lessons
  • Goal setting
  • Build an individualised programme  
  • Available from website and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Sleepio

CBT-i Coach app 

CBT-i coach app icon
  • Sleep tracker
  • Education and information
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy-based
  • Reminders (to change sleep habits)
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about CBT- i Coach app

Insomnia Coach
  • Diary and tracking
  • Goal setting and reminders
  • Graphs, data exports, and reporting
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Insomnia Coach

Sleep as Android
  • Sleep tracker
  • Alarm clock
  • Graphs to create a sleep record
  • Snore recording
  • Available from Google Play
  • Cost: free(basic); paid upgrade
  • Read more about Sleep as Android

Free version: 
Two out of five stars



Paid version:

Pzziz app

Pzizz app icon
  • Audio sleep aid
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free(basic); paid upgrade
  • Read more about Pzziz app

Free version:

Paid version:

Snore Lab app

Snore lab app icon
  • Snore recording
  • Calculates snore score 
  • Lifestyle tracking 
  • Available from Google Play and iTunes
  • Cost: free
  • Read more about Snore Lab app

Learn More

  1. Koffel E, Kuhn E, Petsoulis N, et al. A randomized controlled pilot study of CBT-I Coach: Feasibility, acceptability, and potential impact of a mobile phone application for patients in cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia. Health Informatics J. 2016 Jun 27.
  2. Kuhn E, Weiss BJ, Taylor KL, et al. CBT-I Coach: A Description and Clinician Perceptions of a Mobile App for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia. J Clin Sleep Med. 2016 Apr 15;12(4):597-606.
  3. Camacho M, Robertson M, Abdullatif J, et al. Smartphone apps for snoring. J Laryngol Otol. 2015 Oct;129(10):974-9.
  4. Ko PR, Kientz JA, Choe EK, et al. Consumer Sleep Technologies: A Review of the Landscape. J Clin Sleep Med. 2015 Dec 15;11(12):1455-61.
  5. Sands SA, Owens RL. Does my bed partner have OSA? There's an app for that! J Clin Sleep Med. 2014 Jan 15;10(1):79-80.

Disclaimer: Health Navigator’s app library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

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