The Best Free Sleep Tracking Apps for the Apple Watch in 2025
Key Findings
The best free Apple Watch sleep apps go beyond basic tracking, offering insights that help you sleep better and wake up refreshed. Apple Sleep provides a seamless, built-in option for beginners, while Pillow adds detailed sleep stage analysis and even audio recordings of disturbances. Sleep++ keeps things ultra-simple with a minimalist, battery-friendly design, and AutoSleep delivers automatic, in-depth reports with useful readiness scores for planning your day.
We all know how much better life feels after a good night’s sleep. Clearer focus, better mood, and more energy to tackle the day: it all starts from the moment your head hits the pillow.
But getting consistent, high-quality sleep isn’t always easy, especially when balanced against the demands of an active lifestyle. That’s where today’s sleep technology comes into its own.
The best free sleep apps for the Apple Watch do more than just tell you how long you slept. They can track your sleep stages, monitor your heart rate overnight, gently wake you at the right moment, and even highlight habits that might be keeping you from deep rest.
With so many applications to choose from, we have compiled this list of some of our personal picks for the very best apps for tracking sleep. All designed so you can start turning your nights into better days.
5 Best Free Sleep Apps for Apple Watch
These are our top picks for the best free sleep tracker apps to help you make the most of your nighttime routine:
1. Apple Sleep (Built-In)
Key features: Apple Sleep is fully integrated into WatchOS and the Health app, ensuring seamless tracking without needing third-party downloads. It automatically records your time in bed, total sleep duration, and time spent awake versus asleep.
Users can set a sleep schedule, track consistency over time, and take advantage of “Wind Down” features like reducing notifications and dimming screens before bedtime. Data is stored securely within Apple Health for a complete wellness overview.
Best for: People who want a simple, reliable, and built-in solution without extra costs or apps. Perfect for beginners.
2. Pillow
Key features: Pillow is one of the best free sleep apps for Apple Watch if you are looking for more detailed insight and analysis than provided by the inbuilt tool. Pillow divides your sleep schedule into REM, light, and deep sleep phases. It uses motion and heart rate tracking to build a full picture of your sleep quality and efficiency.
The app also offers smart alarms, designed to gently wake you during a lighter stage of sleep, making mornings feel easier. An added standout feature is the optional audio recording, which captures snoring, talking, or disturbances during the night, helping users identify sleep disruptors.
Best for: Apple Watch users who want more depth in their data, including sleep stages and possible disturbances. Great for those curious about how their habits or environment affect sleep quality.
Download: Pillow on the App Store
3. Sleep++
Key features: Sleep++ takes a minimalist approach, focusing on efficiency and ease of use. It provides automatic sleep tracking, along with straightforward reports showing total sleep duration, restfulness, and wake times.
Its simple interface makes it easy to check progress at a glance, while still syncing data seamlessly to Apple Health. Because it avoids unnecessary frills, it is extremely lightweight and battery-friendly.
Best for: One of the best apps for tracking sleep for anyone who wants a no-fuss, reliable, and completely free tracker. Ideal for users who value simplicity, minimalism, and direct Apple Health integration.
Download: Sleep++ on the App Store
4. AutoSleep
Key features: AutoSleep specializes in effortless, automatic sleep tracking—there’s no need to tap a button before or after bed. It monitors deep sleep, light sleep, sleep efficiency, heart rate, and readiness, giving you a comprehensive daily sleep report.
The main reason AutoSleep has been chosen as one of our best free sleep tracking apps for the Apple Watch is its “readiness scores”. These help you understand how well-rested you are for the day ahead so you can plan and adapt accordingly. Despite being highly detailed, the app is designed to be intuitive, with easy-to-read dashboards.
Best for: Users who prefer a set-it-and-forget-it approach with automatic tracking and robust insights. Great for those who want deeper analysis of recovery and daily readiness.
Download: AutoSleep on the App Store
5. Sleep Cycle
Key features: Sleep Cycle is frequently touted as one of best free Apple Watch sleep apps thanks to its smart alarm technology, which monitors your sleep stages and wakes you during your lightest phase, helping you feel less groggy.
It also tracks long-term sleep trends, such as average duration, consistency, and quality. Optional audio analysis detects snoring and disturbances, providing helpful feedback for improving sleep hygiene. Sleep Cycle’s emphasis is not only on tracking but also on making mornings more pleasant and energy-boosting.
Best for: People who struggle with groggy mornings and want a smarter alarm clock. Ideal for those looking for both sleep tracking and a better wake-up experience.
Download: Sleep Cycle on the App Store
Final Thoughts: Finding the Best Free Apple Watch Sleep App for You
Finding the right sleep app can make a real difference in how rested and energized you feel each day. Some people just want the basics, while others enjoy diving into detailed sleep stage reports or using smart alarms for gentler mornings.
Whether you stick with Apple’s built-in Sleep app, try something simple like Sleep++, or experiment with advanced tools like AutoSleep or Pillow, the key is finding what fits your lifestyle best.
Better sleep is about so much more than the amount of hours you manage to pillow down for. The best paid-for and free Apple Watch sleep apps recognize that you need access to deeper insight into the quality of your sleep, as well as duration.
FAQs: Best free Apple Watch Sleep Apps
Curious about sleep tracking on your Apple Watch? With so many apps available, it’s normal to have questions about what’s free, what works automatically, and whether it’s safe to wear your watch overnight. This FAQ clears up the essentials so you know exactly how to get the most out of your Apple Watch for better sleep
Article FAQ
Can I track my sleep with an Apple Watch?
Yes. Every Apple Watch running watchOS 7 or later can track sleep through the built-in Sleep app. It records how long you sleep and, on newer models, even breaks down your sleep stages.
Is there a completely free sleep app?
Absolutely. Apps like Sleep++ offer a basic package that is completely free with no hidden costs. Apple’s own Sleep app is also free and preinstalled on every Apple Watch.
Does Apple Watch track sleep automatically?
It can. Apple’s Sleep app tracks sleep based on the schedule you set, while third-party apps like AutoSleep and Sleep++ can detect sleep automatically without any input.
Is it safe to wear an Apple Watch while Sleeping?
Yes. Apple Watches use safe, non-ionizing sensors and Bluetooth, so wearing one overnight is generally considered safe. The main concern is comfort. Using a soft, breathable band helps.
What are the best Apps for tracking nutrition AND sleep patterns?
For an all-in-one view, Apple Health combines both nutrition and sleep data. MyFitnessPal and Lifesum are also excellent choices for nutrition, and when paired with sleep apps like Pillow or AutoSleep, you’ll get a complete picture of your daily wellness.
