1. F.lux
2. Sleep Cycle
Probably one of the best-known sleep apps, Sleep Cycle tracks your sleep patterns throughout the night. Then, using a 30 minute alarm window, Sleep Cycle will wake you in your lightest sleep phase. You can then view the data and see how well you slept, and if you can change any outside factors to have a subsequent better night's sleep.
Available on iOS (£0.69) and Android (£0.99). For a more high-tech version, try MotionX: 24/7 Sleeptracker. Or for Android-only, try Sleep as Android.
3. Sleepio
Created by Colin Espie, Professor of Sleep Medicine and Professor at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Oxford , Sleepio follows an evidence-based CBT sleep improvement program.
Once a week, you log on for a personalised twenty-minute session with 'the Prof' (see the cartoon above), and learn a range of cognitive and behavioral techniques to help you sleep. You then practise those techniques during the week. You can also import your tracked sleep data from Jawbone or Healthkit.
Users can get unlimited free help from the Prof for seven days. You can then pay £14.99 a week for weekly course sessions (with the option to cancel anytime), or pay £99 for the full CBT course and 12 week's support. Alternatively, you can pay £149 for a full CBT course and a year's support. It's pricey, but it's worth noting it has excellent reviews through the NHS's health apps library.
The app is available on iOS.
4. Sleep Genius
Developed following research to help astronauts fall asleep, Sleep Genius aims to train you fall asleep, without depending on white noise or similar. It claims to be especially good for sleep deprivation.
Available on iOS (£2.99) and Android (free to download but with in-app purchases).
5. Sleepy Time
6. Simply Being
A simple guide to slow, meditative breathing, based on the principles of yoga.
A basic version is availble on Android for free, but an upgraded version is available for a fee.
This app is cool, as it uses real rain noises. It might also be well suited to young children who have difficulty falling asleep. Even while you're asleep, your brain is alert to sounds that might mean danger. Research has shown that "white noise or nature sounds" can drown out noises while you sleep.
Available free on Android.
10. Sleep Pillow
11. Pzizz
A combination of soothing music and voice to help you nod off. Pzizz's USP is that it creates a new track every time you listen, to fit the length you select. This means that your relaxation soundtrack is uniquely tailored to your needs.
There's a slightly confusing combination of apps. Use Pzizz Engergiser (£2.99) for power naps. And Pzizz Sleep (£2.99) to help you fall asleep at night. Pzziz itself (free) has a combination of both Energiser and Sleep. Pzizz is currently iOS only.
13. Relax Melodies
If you're a deep sleeper and have trouble getting up, then SpinMe could help. It's an alarm clock that can only be turned off it you get up from bed and spin around. They add, "think you can cheat and simply spin the device while still in bed? Try and see for yourself!"
Available on iOS (£1.49) and Android (free to download but with in-app purchases).
15. Alarm Tunes
Use your own music as an alarm and create alarm playlists with this music alarm clock.
Available on iOS (£1.49).
16. Power Nap
Power Nap is a basic nap scheduler. You can set your timer for 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes, and choose from a range of sounds to accompany it. Android only at present.
