This might sound strange. But today I want to recommend an audio app -- more specifically a sleep audio app -- to writers. It's called BetterSleep (formerly Relax Melodies), from Ipnos Software. And it's available on both Android and iOS devices.
I've long struggled with falling asleep, and I've used this app for at least 10 years to help with that. The custom sound mixes alone are great for this, but you can also listen to meditations and stories if that's more your thing.
That's not why the BetterSleep app is such a great app for writers though.
Let's go back to those custom sound mixes.
How the BetterSleep App Can Help Writers
When you create a custom sound mix in the BetterSleep app, you can transport yourself to any environment you'd like.
A busy cafe.
The seaside.
A train ride.
Sitting inside as the rain pours down outside.
I'm a fan of that last one, especially in summer when it's hot, bright, and I don't necessarily want to be at my desk. A bit of "rain on window" combined with "rain on roof," maybe a bit of "thunder" tossed in for good measure...
I can close my curtains, turn on the app, and I don't feel like I'm missing much anymore. (Plus, I just love listening to the rain.)
Not able to leave the house, but miss the background noise of working on freelance writing jobs in a café? There's a mix for that too. Start with "coffee shop," then add some light "city ambience" you might hear when sitting by a window.
Did I mention you can control the volume of each sound separately?
It's so customizable, letting you amplify or quiet each sound to find your perfect mix.
While, as freelancers, we can work pretty much anywhere, that doesn't mean we have the luxury of working from our favorite places all the time. And when we can't, using an audio app like BetterSleep can help transport us into that better work environment, or just give us a change of pace.
BetterSleep for Writing Fiction
Do you also write fiction? You can create similar sound mixes to put yourself in different places or scenarios your characters might experience while you write.
For example, let's say you're writing a children's book about a child who goes camping for the first time. You might combine sounds like "night" and "owls," maybe throw in some "rustling leaves" and some "campfire" sounds.
Close your eyes. Listen to the kinds of things your character would hear on their first night camping. Imagine how it would make them feel.
Or maybe you're a horror writer and you want to hear what your characters might hear to get a better feel for their emotions.
For example, maybe it's night and they're being pursued in the woods. You might combine some "creaking branches," bats screeching in the distance, the sound of someone approaching "walking on leaves," and a low pounding "heartbeat."
There are so many sounds in the BetterSleep app, it would be tough to find a setting you couldn't represent.
Using BetterSleep to Tune Out Distractions
Maybe you don't care about sound mixing. BetterSleep can also help you tune out distractions without that.
You'll find several colors of sound that can simply help you tune out background noise and focus more. (I find brown noise works better for this than traditional white noise, but find what works for you.)
BetterSleep currently incudes:
- white noise
- green noise
- blue noise
- pink noise
- grey noise
- violet noise
- brown noise
- deep brown noise
- layered brown noise
And you'll find other sounds with a similar affect, like air conditioner, airplane, waterfall, and fan sounds.
What Else Does the BetterSleep App Offer?
There is so much more in the BetterSleep app than what I'm introducing you to here.
- There are the meditations and bedtime stories I mentioned briefly before.
- There's also plenty of music you can listen to, from classical music to jazz.
- There are pre-designed sound and music mixes, from "gothic library" to "yellow brick road."
- And you can find mixes created by other BetterSleep users.
- There are sound-guided breathing exercises.
- And there are a wide variety of tones in different frequencies (binaural beats, isochronic tones, etc.).
How Much Does the BetterSleep App Cost?
I've had a lifetime license to the app for many years (starting before they rebranded from Relax Melodies to BetterSleep). And I'm happy to say Ipnos is one of few companies I've dealt with that actually honors its lifetime licenses and doesn't look to screw over grandfathered users. So much has been added since I bought my lifetime license, and they've never tried to up-sell like so many companies do. Props to them for that.
They do still over lifetime licenses, currently at $249.
But I know not everyone wants to lay out that much cash for an app.
The good news is, there are some free features to give you a feel for things to see if the app is something you'd actually use. The sound options are limited on free plans, and you won't get access to many of the newer features. But it's still a good way to test out the app.
Plus, they offer annual ($59) and monthly ($9.99) plans as well. So there's an option for everyone.
Note: You can access these pricing options from their website. I also checked my husband's app with a free account, and there was a different yearly offer in there, so I highly recommend checking both the website and the app to find the best current offer.
BetterSleep is quite possibly my most-used app. It helps me sleep. It helps me focus. And its flexibility makes it one of my favorite non-writing writing tools. If you give it a try, I'd love to know what you think!
Note: This post was originally published on May 21, 2015 about the original Relax Melodies app. It was significantly updated in 2025 to reflect the brand change, current pricing, and the many new features added since the original review.
Very interesting! I’m going to give this a try. I could definitely use the background noise as I work, but music is often too distracting for me.
It varies a lot for me. Classical music is great for certain tasks. But for others I need something a bit “steadier.” That’s when the rain sounds come in handy. And the app has several options of those. 🙂
On another note, if anyone has a baby with trouble sleeping, I’ve read in the reviews that people have had luck with this app instead of a sound machine to lull the little ones to sleep. I think they even advertise that advantage for one of the versions. They also have at least one add-on app (maybe more in iTunes), so check out some of the other options, like the relaxing oriental one. 🙂
I’ll try this! It’s a good way to add variety to Mozart and Pachelbel.
Pachelbel’s Canon is even in the app. 🙂
Jenn, I really like this concept. I use a fan for white noise, and so far it works well. However, it’s not always convenient for traveling, and I like that the app has so many possibilities.
That it does. 🙂 Hopefully they’ll continue to grow that list, either through the main app or other specialized apps. I’d love to see someone create something like this specifically for writers with even more setting-related sounds that we could mix together and take with us to “get inside” our stories a bit more. That would rock for fiction at least. But the white noise and nature sounds are fantastic for any kind of writing. I have a feeling I’ll be depending on it even more as I get a better handle on the sound combos.