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Bad sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling tired. It affects your physical health, mood, relationships, and even earning potential . The good news is technology has made it easier than ever to catch issues early on.
We’ve partnered with sleep science expert, Dr. Daniel Gartenberg, PhD, to discuss the role sleep health apps play in the fight against sleep apnea. While these apps cannot diagnose sleep disorders, their main benefit is to help you know when it’s time to talk to your doctor about getting tested for sleep apnea.
Today we'll explore how sleep apps track sleep health, plus discuss data trends to keep an eye out for. We will also go over features to look for when choosing an app and review some of our top picks for best sleep apnea apps. Finally, we’ll cover the next steps if you have concerns about your risk for sleep apnea.
Can sleep health apps detect sleep apnea?
The best sleep apnea apps provide valuable insights into your sleep patterns, but it's important to remember that they cannot replace a sleep apnea test.
Downloading a sleep health tracker is a good first step if you suspect you have undiagnosed sleep apnea or some other sleep disorder. These apps usually log changes to your basic sleep patterns over time, which can help your doctor determine whether a sleep test is appropriate for you.
Although sleep app technology is limited, evidence suggests that it will continue to improve over time and will continue to help people identify when they are at risk for sleep apnea. This is especially true for apps that work with a smartwatch or other wearable device, like the newest Apple Watches which are FDA-approved to alert people to signs of potential sleep apnea.
Best sleep apnea apps
SleepSpace - The best comprehensive sleep support
What it is: Combines sleep tracking, sound therapy, and coaching to optimize sleep quality.
How it works: Tracks sleep using phone sensors or wearables. Also uses sounds dynamically to enhance deep sleep.
Where to get it: iOS App Store | GooglePlay
Cost: 30 Days Free Trial and Then $99 / year
Key features:
Comprehensive sleep tracking
Sleep reports
Dynamic sleep sounds
Meditations
Personalized programs
Snore recording (iPhone only)
Sleep diary
Intelligent alarms
Dr.Snooze AI chatbot
Details: This is the most comprehensive sleep app on the market with multiple integrations and solutions to help you navigate almost every sleep challenge. It includes proven interventions based on cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBTi), plus customizable sleep programs with sleep tracking to keep you up-to-date on your sleep health. The results have been backed by peer-reviewed research, plus it has received more than 3.5 million in grant funding from the National Institute of Aging.
SleepScore - The best sleep reports
What it is: Tracks overall sleep trends and provides personalized, science-backed recommendations to improve sleep.
How it works: Relies on sonar technology from your phone for sleep tracking, making wearables unnecessary.
Where to get it : iOS App Store | GooglePlay
Cost : Free for basic, $9.99/month for premium features
Key Features :
Advanced sleep tracking
Sleep cycle analysis
Personalized insights
Sleep reports
Environment monitoring
Gentle wakeup alarm
Health challenges
Sleep sounds
Details: SleepScore is a leading app for those seeking accurate, non-invasive sleep tracking paired with actionable recommendations. It uses sonar-based technology, validated by 14 scientific studies, and provides reliable data without the need for wearables. Features like environmental monitoring, sleep reports for medical discussions, and guided challenges make SleepScore an ideal tool for improving your sleep hygiene.
SnoreLab - The best snore tracking
What: Measures snoring intensity and tracks trends to help identify effective remedies.
How : Focuses on snore detection and analysis using your phone’s microphone.
Where to get it : iOS App Store | GooglePlay
Cost : Free for basic, $7.99+ for premium features
Key Features :
Snore detection
Snore score
Trend analysis
Audio samples
Lifestyle tracking
Remedy diary
Records sleep statistics
Details: SnoreLab is an excellent tool for understanding and managing snoring. Its user-friendly interface and scientific insights have helped millions uncover solutions for quieter sleep. With features like trend analysis, Snore Score tracking, and compatibility with health apps, it’s ideal for those looking to explore their snoring patterns or discuss concerns with healthcare providers.
Sleep Cycle - The best all-in-one sleep app
What it is: Tracks sleep stages and wakes you gently during the lightest sleep phase with a gentle, smart alert.
How it works: Monitors snoring, sleep talking, and other sounds, providing detailed analysis and trends.
Where to find it: iOS App Store | GooglePlay
Cost : Free for basic, $39.99/year for premium features
Key Features :
Smart alarm
Sleep tracking
Sound recording
Detailed sleep analysis
Sleep sound library
Sleep diary
Customizable sleep goals
Compare results locally and globally
Integrates with Philips Hue for sunrise wakeup
Details:
Sleep Cycle is a versatile app for improving sleep hygiene and monitoring sleep patterns. Its Smart Alarm Clock is particularly effective for waking up refreshed, and features like snore tracking and environmental analysis make it a holistic sleep solution. With its detailed insights and user-friendly interface, it’s perfect for anyone looking to optimize their rest.
myAir by ResMed - The best for CPAP users
What it is: A companion app for ResMed CPAP users, designed to track sleep therapy progress and provide personalized coaching.
How it works: Syncs with your CPAP machine via Bluetooth to record therapy data for each session.
Where to find it: iOS App Store | GooglePlay
Cost : Free
Learn More About myAir by ResMed
Key Features :
Daily myAir score
Personalized coaching library
How-to videos
Detailed therapy reports
Set therapy goals
Notifies you of therapy issues
In-depth FAQ library
Pairs with AirSeries 10 and 11 machines
Details:
myAir is an intuitive app for ResMed CPAP users, offering clear insights into sleep therapy performance. With its focus on personalized coaching and actionable data, myAir helps you stay on track and optimize your treatment. Its user-friendly interface and motivational tools make it an essential resource for achieving better sleep with CPAP therapy.
Are you at risk for sleep apnea?
Find out your level of risk with our sleep apnea quiz. Answer just 5 questions and we’ll give you a score between 1-10, along with advice for the next steps.
How apps measure signs of sleep apnea
Sound analysis
Apps can record and analyze breathing sounds and snoring patterns using your phone's microphone. While helpful for identifying snoring intensity and frequency, this alone cannot diagnose sleep apnea.
Motion detection
Using your phone's accelerometer, apps can track movement during sleep. However, movement patterns alone aren't sufficient to identify apnea events.
Heart rate monitoring
When paired with compatible wearables, apps can track heart rate variability. With wearable integration, this data becomes more reliable but is still only about 80% accurate at measuring sleep stages.
Oxygen saturation
While some apps claim to measure oxygen levels, they cannot accurately do so without specialized external sensors. Phone cameras are not capable of medical-grade SpO2 measurements.
"Sleep tracking apps use a variety of technology methods to gather data. Some mine your Apple health data so they can estimate your sleep. Others use the accelerometer and sound recorder built into your smartphone to estimate sleeping and breathing data. Some apps also use radar waves to estimate your breathing rate."
Signs of sleep apnea on a sleep tracking app
As Dr. Dan explains, different apps collect different types of sleep data. So there is no one-size-fits-all approach to knowing whether the app you are using is picking up on signs of sleep apnea.
Data type |
Trends to watch for |
Snore tracking |
Nightly episodes of loud snoring |
Breathing patterns |
Low breaths per minute |
Amount of sleep |
Feeling tired after a full night’s sleep |
Sleep stages |
Reduced time spent in REM (deep) sleep |
Oxygen levels |
Dips in blood oxygen levels |
Heart rate |
Heart rate slows down then speeds up |
Body movement |
Increased body movement |
While this information is helpful, it shouldn’t be the ultimate decider in whether or not you seek out the advice of a medical doctor. Dr. Dan suggests evaluating how you actually feel and comparing your impressions against your results.
It’s always best to side with caution, so if your results look fine but you feel exhausted all the time, go see a doctor. On the other hand, if you feel okay but your snore detector says you snore loudly every night and you keep being startled awake, it’s probably time to be evaluated for sleep apnea.
"Your perceptions of sleep can often be the most meaningful metric for evaluating how you are sleeping. That is why apps or wearables that include the consensus sleep diary are the best tools if you want to consult with your healthcare provider."
Things to know before using a sleep apnea app
Sleep health tracking apps are a really useful tool, they are not perfect, nor do they take the place of an actual sleep apnea test. If you believe you may have sleep apnea, make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the next steps.
Concerns about accuracy
Dr. Dan explains that while sleep-tracking apps effectively measure when you're awake versus asleep, they don't track time spent in each sleep stage. Wearable technology improves accuracy but it isn’t perfect. This matters because sleep apnea often disrupts deep sleep, so some people may not realize how much sleep apnea affects their sleep quality because the app overlooks or underestimates significant issues.
"Sleep tracking apps can be highly accurate at measuring sleep versus wake, which is a key metric of sleep quality. But unless they pair with a wearable, I would take the data with a grain of salt. Even if you use a wearable, these algorithms are only about 80% accurate at measuring sleep stages."
A sleep apnea app cannot replace a diagnostic test
While sleep health apps are convenient and may help you understand your sleep patterns, a diagnostic sleep test is necessary if you think you have sleep apnea. Apps are a great first step, but they cannot replace the accuracy and medical insight of a professional sleep study.
Sleep apnea apps rely on indirect measurements and algorithms to monitor general sleep health and flag potential risks.
Data collected:
Sleep duration
Snoring sounds
Heart rate
Intermittent oxygen levels
Body movements
Estimates sleep quality
Sleep tests use highly accurate measurements that are recorded and read by trained experts who identify and calculate sleep apnea episodes to determine type and severity.
Data collected:
Breathing patterns
Oxygen levels
Body position
Sleep stages
Heart rate
Cost comparison
- Sleep Apps: $0-30/month
- Home Sleep Test: $200-400
- Lab Sleep Study: $1,000-3,000
"Apps do not have the sensor capacity to accurately detect sleep apnea events. Based on the current technology available, it is necessary to wear a device to accurately detect sleep apnea events."
Sleep apnea apps vs diagnostic sleep tests | ||
Feature/Capability |
Sleep Health Tracking App |
Diagnostic Sleep Test |
Purpose |
For general awareness or to prompt further medical evaluation. |
For accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. |
Accuracy |
Estimates only |
Highly accurate |
Detects sleep apnea events |
No |
Yes |
Measures brain activity |
No |
Yes (only in in-lab sleep studies) |
Monitors sleep stages |
Estimates only |
Highly accurate |
Diagnoses sleep apnea |
No |
Yes |
Cost |
Low-cost or free |
Higher cost |
Next steps |
Consult a doctor if you’re at risk |
Develop an actionable treatment plan |
Choosing the right sleep apnea app
Dr. Dan points out that selecting an app to track your sleep patterns isn’t just about flashy new technology or your budget. It’s important to do your research before trusting an app, as some are not backed by science, which can lead to inaccurate reports.
"Not all apps are created equal. You should make sure that the app developer has conducted peer-reviewed research to [validate their] accuracy, such as is the case with the SleepSpace app. This is the only way to evaluate how accurate these devices are."
Remember, the goal here is to simply alert you to the potential for undiagnosed sleep apnea. Your doctor can take care of the rest. While an app with several features and in-depth sleep tracking is nice, it isn’t a must.
Up to 94% of people with obstructive sleep apnea have a snoring problem and many of them seek out a diagnosis after hearing complaints from their partner. So if all you want is an app that tracks how loud and how often you snore, that’s okay!
Helpful app features for tracking sleep apnea | ||
Symptom diary |
Ability to record daytime fatigue, sleep quality, and other relevant factors |
Symptom diaries help you track how your sleep patterns correlate to sleep apnea symptoms |
Overnight recording |
Look for apps that can record 8+ hours while running in the background |
Gives a fuller understanding of how sleep patterns change throughout the night, rather than just during periods of deep sleep |
Snoring detection |
Provides a detailed analysis of snoring patterns and intensity overnight |
Routine episodes of loud snoring is a sign of sleep apnea |
Sleep position tracking |
Monitors your body position as it changes throughout the night |
Sleep apnea episodes are associated with an increase in body movement |
Data export |
Options to share reports with healthcare providers |
Makes it easy to share evidence of poor sleep with your doctor |
Pulse monitoring |
Looks for changes to your heart rate |
If your heart rate suddenly slows down and then speeds back up, it could be a sign of sleep apnea |
Blood oxygen tracking |
Measures your average blood oxygen levels while you sleep |
Moderate to severe cases of sleep apnea can result in lower blood oxygen readings |
Detailed reports |
Shows how your sleep behaviors change over time |
Helps you and your doctor decide whether you’re just getting bad sleep or if you are truly at risk for sleep apnea |
Pairing with wearables |
Makes it possible to track a wider variety of sleep behaviors and vital signs |
Gives access to more data points and understand how they impact your sleep health |
Could you have sleep apnea?
If you are experiencing signs of sleep apnea, what you do next matters. A home sleep apnea test makes it easy to get the answers you’ve been looking for, with the help of a licensed healthcare provider.
Our HST takes just 5 steps!
Book a virtual doctor’s appointment
Visit with one of our healthcare professionals
Get a sleep apnea test delivered straight to your door
Wear the HST device for one night
Send it back for a full report
Final thoughts
Ready to take the next step? Take our free sleep apnea quiz to assess your risk level, or learn more about affordable home sleep testing options .
Remember: While apps can be valuable tools for tracking sleep patterns and identifying potential concerns, they should be used as screening tools that may indicate when it's time to seek professional medical evaluation - not as replacements for proper sleep studies or medical diagnosis.
Kenzie Dubs - Sleep Health Educator
Written and Edited by Kenzie Dubs. Kenzie is dedicated to educating the public about the hidden effects of sleep apnea and the importance of early treatment. Using her professional and educational background in biology and healthcare, she specializes in writing easy-to-understand, science-based content that guides readers through each stage of their sleep apnea journey.
