6 Best White Noise Apps for Focus and Concentration in 2026
White noise and ambient sounds can mask distracting noises and help you enter a flow state. Research shows that consistent background sound improves focus for many people - especially in open offices, cafes, or noisy home environments. We tested 14 apps to find which deliver the best sound quality, customization, and focus-enhancing features.
Endel uses AI to create personalized soundscapes that adapt in real-time. Connect your Apple Watch and it adjusts based on your heart rate. The app considers time of day, weather, and your current activity to generate unique audio. The result is sound that feels alive and responsive, not just a looping track. The minimal interface stays out of your way while the AI does the work.
Starting price$5.99/mo
Strengths
AI creates truly personalized soundscapes
Adapts to biometrics and activity in real-time
Beautiful minimal interface
Apple Watch integration
Multiple modes: Focus, Relax, Sleep
Never sounds repetitive
Limitations
Subscription required for full features
Best experience requires Apple Watch
Less control than manual mixing apps
Some prefer curated over AI-generated
Who it's for: Perfect for people who want personalized, adaptive soundscapes without manually mixing sounds. The Apple Watch integration makes it uniquely responsive.
Brain.fm was designed with neuroscientists specifically to affect brain activity and induce focus states. Their patented technology embeds rhythmic pulses into music that influence neural oscillations. Unlike regular ambient music, Brain.fm claims (and has some research to support) that it actually changes your brainwaves to promote concentration. The sound is musical rather than just noise.
Starting price$6.99/mo
Strengths
Designed with neuroscientists
Patented focus-inducing technology
Actual research on effectiveness
Different modes: Focus, Relax, Sleep
Musical rather than pure noise
Offline listening available
Limitations
Subscription required
Music style may not suit everyone
Claims are bold and debated
Limited customization options
Who it's for: Ideal for people who want science-backed focus enhancement and prefer music over pure white noise. Worth trying if you're skeptical but curious.
Noisli gives you a palette of ambient sounds that you can mix together with individual volume sliders. Layer rain on top of a crackling fire, add some birds, and save that combination for later. It's simple and intuitive - perfect for people who want control over their soundscape. The web app, desktop app, and mobile apps all sync your favorites.
Starting priceFree/$10
Strengths
Simple and intuitive mixing interface
Save favorite combinations
Works on web, desktop, and mobile
Built-in focus timer
Offline mode with downloads
Text editor built-in for writing
Limitations
Monthly subscription for full features
Sound library smaller than some alternatives
Less sophisticated than AI-powered tools
Some sounds feel more synthetic
Who it's for: Best for people who want to create their own custom soundscapes. The mixing interface is the most intuitive of any app we tested.
myNoise is a passion project with over 200 unique sound generators, many created from field recordings around the world. The calibration feature adjusts sounds to compensate for your specific hearing loss. Many sounds are completely free, with donations unlocking the full library. The sheer variety is unmatched - from Tibetan bowls to spaceship engines.
Starting priceFree
Strengths
Over 200 unique sound generators
Calibration for your hearing
Many sounds completely free
Incredibly diverse sound types
High-quality field recordings
Active community and regular updates
Limitations
Dated website design
Navigation can be overwhelming
No dedicated mobile app
No offline mode
Less convenient than dedicated apps
Who it's for: Great for audiophiles and people who want maximum variety. If you want sounds beyond typical nature and white noise, myNoise delivers.
Dark Noise is designed specifically for Apple users who appreciate native design. It uses Widgets, Shortcuts, and Siri for quick access. The sound mixing is excellent, and iCloud keeps your presets synced across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The one-time purchase is refreshing in a sea of subscriptions.
Starting price$5.99
Strengths
Beautiful native Apple design
Widgets, Shortcuts, and Siri integration
iCloud sync across devices
One-time purchase, no subscription
50+ high-quality sounds
Mix and save custom presets
Limitations
Apple ecosystem only
Smaller sound library than some
No web version
No focus timer built-in
Who it's for: Perfect for Apple users who want a premium native experience. The one-time purchase and deep iOS/macOS integration make it excellent value.
Coffitivity does one thing: recreates the ambient noise of a coffee shop. Research suggests that moderate noise levels boost creative thinking, and Coffitivity specifically targets that sweet spot. It's dead simple - pick a coffee shop atmosphere and listen. The free tier is generous, and premium just adds a few more locations.
Starting priceFree/$9
Strengths
Based on research on noise and creativity
Simple with no distracting features
Generous free tier
Works in browser instantly
Cheap premium upgrade
Multiple cafe atmospheres
Limitations
Only coffee shop sounds
No mixing or customization
No offline mode
Can feel repetitive over time
Limited features compared to alternatives
Who it's for: Ideal for people who miss working in coffee shops and want that specific atmosphere. Simple and effective for its narrow purpose.
We used each app during real focus sessions, testing sound quality, effectiveness for concentration, and overall user experience.
Sound Quality (30%) — Audio fidelity, naturalness, and no repetitive loops.
Focus Effectiveness (25%) — Does it actually help you concentrate?
Customization (20%) — Ability to mix, adjust, and personalize sounds.
Features (15%) — Timers, offline mode, sync, and integrations.
Value for Money (10%) — Pricing relative to features and alternatives.
How to Choose
Choose Endel if you need Want AI-personalized sound.
Choose Brain.fm if you need Believe in neuroscience.
Choose Noisli if you need Want to mix your own.
Choose myNoise if you need Want maximum variety.
Choose Dark Noise if you need Apple user, one-time price.
Common Questions
For many people, yes. Research shows that consistent background sound can mask distracting noises and help maintain concentration. The optimal noise level is moderate - too quiet or too loud both hurt performance.
White noise has equal energy across all frequencies (like static). Pink noise emphasizes lower frequencies (like steady rain). Brown noise is even deeper (like a low roar). Many people find pink or brown noise more pleasant than pure white noise.
Instrumental music or ambient sounds work better for most people than music with lyrics. Apps like Brain.fm create music designed for focus, while others like Noisli provide pure ambient sounds. Experiment to see what works for you.
