The Most Accurate and Best Free Sleep Apps in South Africa
Have you been seeking the most accurate and best free sleep apps in South Africa? Then, you should read this blog post carefully to know the top free apps that can track your sleep and present reliable data.
Sleep deficiency (sleep deprivation) is a health challenge faced by people in most parts of the world. This problem tends to affect work performance, relationships, and life. The Stellenbosch Business School article shows that sleep-deprived employees cost South Africa billions.
According to the report, an average of less than seven hours of sleep increased the risk of developing major depression by 22%, coronary artery disease by 73%, type 2 diabetes by up to 18%, and the risk of developing colorectal cancer by 50%.
This imbalance suggests that South Africans need more sleep to lessen the risk of chronic illness and disability.
Fortunately, with advancements in technology today, we have helpful and free sleep-tracking apps to improve sleep.
Best Free Sleep Apps
You can use these sleep apps to promote healthy sleep. However, subscribing to the premium version allows you to enjoy most features.
1. Sleep Number App
Sleep Number allows you to read your sleep score every morning to see the improvement in your sleep. The app enables you to set up a profile to assess personalized sleep tips for healthy night rest. Furthermore, it tracks your sleep with the use of sensors while you lay on the bed.
It’s quite easy to use this app on your Android device, and here’s how. Turn on your location settings to give the Sleep Number app permission to connect to your smart bed.
2. Sleep Wise
The Sleep Wise algorithm assesses the impact of sleep on your daily routine. SleepWise has an automatic tracking mode. So, all you have to do is to ensure the app is compatible with your sleep Watch.
3. Sleep.com App
Sleep.com App supports iOS and Android devices though not all versions. So, if the app does not support your device model, you have to search online for updates from time to time to know if the support has been enabled. At best, get a compatible device to use the app.
Sleep.com App is downloadable on the App Store and the Google Play Store.
| Free | Premium |
| – Tracks sleep and presents a daily SleepScore, plus a free 7-day trial of the premium version | – The Sleep.com app allows you to dive deeper into transforming your sleep challenges into improved sleep. |
| – Explore the app’s weekly report and lifestyle trends and utilize the personalized recommendations from top sleep scientists | – The Sleep.com app allows you to dive deeper into transforming your sleep challenges into improved sleep. |
| – No subscription cost | – It costs $8 to renew a subscription each month |
| – Provides quick tips and smart alarms to users | – Analyzes a 30- Hday sleep data which you can assess as a PDF document and share with your sleep doctor. |
| – The free Sleep.com app has a range of tools to help you sleep better. | – The Sleep.com premium app provides more scientific features that support your sleep improvement journey. |
4. SleepScore – Best Sleep Monitoring App
The SleepScore helps to record your sleep data. It is free to download and use. SleepScore shows a visual representation of your sleep trends and offers advice on how to improve your sleep.
SleepScore is downloadable on the App Store and Google Play Store. However, it is more compatible with the iPhone.
The subject app can track a person’s snoring level for an accurate snore analysis. Additionally, you can wear the best wearable sleep trackers such as the Whoop 4.0 band and Oura ring.
5. Sleep Cycle
Using the Sleep Cycle app on your device helps you to relieve stress and feel better after sleep. The Sleep Cycle has many helpful features such as sleep sound and sleep recorder. SleepCycle is available on both the Google Play Store and the App Store. The subject app provides insight into your sleep duration, sleep stages, and sleep quality.
It’s also worth noting that the features of this app are very remarkable. This is because these features track snoring, sleep talking, coughing, and other sounds that occur during sleep.
| Free Version | Premium Version |
| – Sleep Cycle offers a free trial option with core features | – The paid version of the Sleep Cycle app offers more personalized coaching and sleep report features |
| – You can cancel the free trial anytime within the free trial period without being charged | – Renewable each month. You can also cancel it anytime. |
| – Limits your sleep tracking history | – There is no limit to your sleep-tracking history |
6. Calm
The Calm app has nature-like sounds such as ocean waves and rainfall that induce one to sleep. These sounds create a soothing atmosphere of sleep for the users.
Calm contains sleep stories and music that can lull you to sleep. The app is great and reliable for stress management and mind relaxation. It is available for Android and iOS users.
| Free | Premium |
| – Calm app offers a 7-day free trial | – The premium version is $14.99/month and $69.99/year |
| – The comprehensive features are designed to improve sleep quality. |
Can Sleep Apps Detect Apnea?
Apnea is a sleep disorder caused by breathing difficulty. This disorder is common among obese patients. It occurs when the body has a low oxygen level (hypoxia), thus affecting the brain and leading to heart failure or stroke.
You have to enable the sleep app to access your Apple Watch microphone to record your breathing while sleeping. The app then analyzes the sound picked during sleep. With the record and score, you can know if you have Apnea especially when there is inconsistency in breathing.
If you are using an iPhone, the sleep app measures the body movement using the phone accelerometer. It can also detect the presence of breathing difficulty.
An example of a wearable device that can detect sleep apnea is the ApneaLink Air.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free version of the Sleep Cycle App?
Sleep Cycle has a soothing alarm sound. The app was founded by Maciej Drejak. It has a free version in the same vein as a paid version with extra features.
The premium version for all features costs $39.99 to renew the yearly subscription.
What is the best free app for sleep sounds?
Most apps have conducive sounds that drown out irritating and uncomfortable noises from our environment and are capable of affecting our sleep. A few of the best free apps for sleep sounds include:
1. White Noise Lite
The app has vast categories of sounds on the playlist. It is downloadable on both the Apple Store and Google Play Store. Some of the sounds are like that of a rushing rain, a purring cat, a humming song, etc. This lets you listen to the sound run on your device’s background. You can choose to set the sound as an alarm to wake you up from sleep.
2. Calm
With Calm, you can enjoy a moment of inner peace when you listen to bedtime stories and gentle music that slowly drives you to sleep.
3. Relax Melodies
It has numerous ambient sounds for relaxation and sleep. The app has a feature called SleepMoves which guides you to stretch and move your body around when you wake up.
Is there a free sleep noise app?
One of the free sleep noise apps is SimplyNoise– a Free Mobile App.
It has a blend of features such as white noise, pink noise, and brown noise which display their uniqueness individually.
SimplyNoise is used in various settings like schools, hospitals, and other workplaces to ensure privacy and improve focus. The app helps to block out noise within your environment that can affect your sleep and introduce a soothing sound for more concentration and relaxation.
Conclusion
Now that you have read through this article, we hope you will try any of the apps to have a first-hand experience on which of the free sleep apps ticks the most accurate and outstanding in South Africa.