Best Free White Noise Apps 2026: 5 Sound Machine Apps Compared
Disclosure: The team behind this guide makes Slo. The ranking below covers free app downloads; Slo’s free surface is the browser players and mixer at slonoise.com, so it opens the answer but takes no place in the ranking. We checked the linked official pages and US store listings on September 13, 2026. Calm’s free-content help page did not load that day, so Calm’s free-tier line relies on our July 31, 2026 check. Free limits can change.
Slo’s free browser players at slonoise.com are the fastest way to play white noise at no cost: nothing to install, no account, no ads. White Noise Lite by TMSOFT is the strongest verified free white noise app to download, and it suits a traditional noise-machine workflow. Apple’s Background Sounds is the simplest built-in choice on Apple devices. Dark Noise, Noisli and Calm also provide limited no-cost access, each with a different limit on sounds, streaming time or library. If you would rather not install anything, a browser player handles plain playback and a timer; an app earns its place when you need offline sound, alarms or saved mixes.
Free options at a glance
| Pick | Free without paying | Paid option | Platforms | Offline | Mixing | Timer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Noise Lite | 50 sounds, Mix Pad, recorder, alarms; shows ads | One-time Full and Pro editions | iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Windows | Yes, sounds play from the device | Yes | Yes, with fade |
| Apple Background Sounds | Built-in soundscapes with volume and EQ | None | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro | Not stated by Apple | No | Yes, from iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe |
| Dark Noise | 8 sounds and a fade-out timer | Dark Noise Pro in-app purchase | iPhone, iPad, Mac | Yes, sounds stored on the device | Pro only | Yes |
| Noisli Free | 16 sounds, 1.5 hours of web streaming a day, 3 Playlists, 5 Favorites | Pro subscription on the web; the iOS app is a paid download | Web; iPhone app; Android app listed | Mobile app only | Yes | Simple timer |
| Calm Free | Selected meditations, one Sleep Story, background Scenes | Calm Premium subscription | iPhone, iPad, Android, web | Downloads exist; Calm doesn’t say if free users get them | No layer mixer | Not verified |
| Slo in a browser (not ranked) | White, pink and brown noise players and a mixer, no account | App: check the current store listing | Any modern browser; apps for iPhone, Android, Mac | Not claimed | Yes, a volume per layer | Yes |
“Free” can mean ad-supported, built into the operating system, limited by time, or a small unlocked catalog. For paid white noise apps with larger libraries, see the best white noise apps compared.
How we picked
On September 13, 2026 we read each app’s official site, help pages and US App Store or Google Play listing, and recorded what the free tier includes without a trial or payment. We did not install and test the apps, measure sound quality or count star ratings. An app made the list only if its own pages describe no-cost access clearly enough to quote.
That check removed BetterSleep, which earlier versions of this guide listed. Its help center now says it moved from a free tier to a subscription model in 2025: new users get a free trial, and after it ends only “a very limited selection of content” stays open.
1. White Noise Lite by TMSOFT: best overall free app
TMSOFT’s comparison lists 50 standard-definition sounds, a Mix Pad, an advanced recorder, five alarms and background audio in White Noise Lite, free on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows. The app displays ads. TMSOFT says every sound plays from your device, so it works without a network connection, and its App Store listing describes a timer that fades audio in and out.
Best for: People who want a real noise-machine app with mixing and offline sounds.
Know before downloading: TMSOFT also sells Full and Pro editions as one-time purchases, with no subscription. Compare its table because sound quality and included tools differ.
2. Apple Background Sounds: best built-in option
Apple includes Background Sounds in supported versions of iOS, iPadOS, macOS and visionOS. Its support page documents ambient soundscapes and volume and equalizer settings, and on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, visionOS 26 and macOS Tahoe a timer that stops the sound. There is nothing extra to install.
Best for: Apple users who need one steady sound and basic controls.
Know before using: It isn’t a layered mixer and does not offer the broader catalogs found in dedicated apps.
3. Dark Noise: best free tier on iPhone and Mac
Dark Noise added a free tier in version 3.0.0, released April 2, 2023. Its App Store release notes list 8 free sounds and a timer that fades the noise out. Dark Noise says all its sounds are stored on the device, so they play without an internet connection.
Best for: Apple users who want one noise sound, offline, with a proper fade-out.
Know before downloading: The other 50+ sounds and custom mixes need Dark Noise Pro, an in-app purchase. There is no Android app.
4. Noisli Free: best for short browser sessions
Noisli’s Free web plan lists 16 sounds and 1.5 hours of streaming per day. It also includes three curated Playlists, up to five saved Favorites, a simple timer and a simple text editor. You can set each sound’s volume and combine sounds. Noisli’s apps page links iOS and Android apps, and says offline sounds need the app.
Best for: Work or study sessions that fit the daily limit.
Know before signing up: Unlimited streaming and all 28 sounds require Pro on the web. Noisli’s support page says the web app and mobile app have different feature sets, and the iOS app is a paid download on the US App Store.
5. Calm Free: best for a small mix of sound and guidance
Calm’s help center says non-Premium users can access selected meditation tools, one named Sleep Story and many background Scenes that include nature sounds and ambient music. Locked items display a padlock.
Best for: Someone who wants a few guided options beside background audio.
Know before downloading: The full Sleep Stories and music libraries are Premium features, and pricing varies by region. Calm lets you download most sessions for offline listening but doesn’t say whether that includes free content.
What to check before relying on a free app
- Ads and interruptions: An app can be no-cost but still add visual ads. Check whether ads appear during playback.
- Offline playback: If travel or poor connectivity matters, confirm that the app stores your sounds on the device.
- Timer behavior: A fade-out timer is different from an alarm. Test the control before bedtime.
- Trials that look like free tiers: A “free download” can open a trial that becomes a subscription. Read what stays unlocked after the trial ends.
The browser white noise player is useful for a quick sound check. Read the current store listing for Slo app pricing and entitlements. We do not call the whole Slo library free.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a completely free white noise app?
TMSOFT describes White Noise Lite as free on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows, with ads. Apple includes Background Sounds in supported devices. Both have clear limits compared with paid apps.
Which free option works without internet?
TMSOFT says all White Noise sounds play from your device, and Dark Noise stores its sounds on the device too. Noisli offers offline sounds only in its mobile app, not on the web. Test offline mode before a trip instead of assuming it works.
Is BetterSleep still free?
No. BetterSleep’s help center says it moved from a free tier to a subscription model in 2025. New users get a free trial, and after it ends only a very limited selection of content stays open.
Can I get white noise without installing an app?
Yes. A browser player can cover simple playback and a timer. Noisli also offers a browser service, though its Free plan has a daily streaming limit.
Sources checked September 13, 2026
- TMSOFT White Noise plans and features and White Noise Lite on the App Store
- Apple Background Sounds support
- Dark Noise on the App Store and working offline
- Noisli plans, features, apps and Noisli on the App Store
- Calm free-content guide (last loaded July 31, 2026) and using Calm offline
- BetterSleep: is BetterSleep free?
Related guides
- Best white noise apps
- Best free sleep apps
- Why white noise may help mask sound
- White, pink and brown noise compared
Explore more sounds in Slo
Stack two or three sounds, keep the blend, and let the timer stop it. Slo, on iOS, Android and Mac.
