Endel: Focus & Sleep Sounds Reviews

by Heidi Walters

I got this initially because I’ve always wanted an atmospheric album by grimes, and I wanted to try a new ai music generator since I’d found another one, Mubert, interesting.

I like Endel well enough, but the trial is waaaaaay too short, I don’t mind paying for content, but the price level for somthing like this is absurd. It doesn’t matter that it’s algorithm based, it’s still a soundscape app at the end of the day. You can’t charge more than people are willing to pay. This thing costs nearly as much as an overpriced meditation app for christssake.... and there’s very little content.

On top of that, you took out the grimes music dec 10. I stopped using before that date because if this doesn’t have her music I’m not interested. Plain and simple. Put it back and give a longer trial or reduce the price, give a discount to somebody coming back to Endel , SOMTHING, and I’d be willing to try it again.

by Roxbello

The sounds are NOT personalized. I would rate 5 if it didn’t falsely advertise. The sounds are really nice, soothing, and I think they might work. But they are not customizable or personalized. There are four, period. When you first sign on, the first screen gives you the illusion of personalization with some tags you can choose for what you’re doing, but there is no way to bring it back up and edit the tags. Other people Im the room chose the opposite settings and we all have the same four sounds, and no one can go back to the screen we saw when it first opened.

I also noticed someone else call3d this out and was given a longwinded answer that doesn’t address the lie and distracts from feedback, misleading the reader to think the review is referring to something else. Just sell it for what it is. It is four lovely sounds, with a gorgeous interface. 5 stars. But if you’re selling me personalized sounds that is just a gross lie. And if I’m wrong, there’s something very wrong with Endel . Your promise is not accessible, and the first screen seems to be just for show. You know, a mock-up.

by Doug Funnie

Ok, I've had the free trial for a week now, and I feel I can safely say that Endel isn't some algorithmic genius, it's simply a pleasing ambient album. For example, there are two distinct tracks on the sleep channel, and that's it, no matter if sometimes a somewhat ancillary ticking clock is playing instead of a white noise filter sweep mimicking the ocean.

There's no shame at all in making a good ambient album. They've done that. But the description of Endel is truly misleading and tries to represent Endel as something more. And on top of that, it charges an ongoing subscription fee that is not equivalent to the market price of an album, which, again, is what this is. Sorry, but I'm not gonna subscribe and have to renew $25 every year for the latest Carly Rae Jepsen album either. The lack of promise of future updates/material, on top of it all, makes this whole enterprise seem very dishonest. Pretty good album, though.

For something truly ambitious and algorithmic, see Brian Eno's Scape app for iPad. Relatively expensive for an iPad app, but a one-time purchase and filled with at least 10x the material of Endel.

by Skxh99

Beautiful sounds and layout but lacking the personalization they keep hyping up. There’s nothing on this that seems to be “adapting” to me specifically. Sounds like they just created sounds to seamlessly transition into each other on timed loops. I get that these sound compositions have been “scientifically” inspired but where is the personalization to me specifically? The free trial was nice but I feel misled and would not recommend purchasing. I couldn’t find anything online in regards to how this is personalized to an individual. They say it’s based on “circadian rhythm” and “location based” and this study says that while that study says this, but I’m left thinking ok but how, what about this makes it AI? What makes this personalized? They say it’s location based ok but that’s a lot of people in one spot getting the same sounds. How does this personalize on the individual level? Maybe I’ll check this out again in the future when it’s more advanced and they’ve figured out to personalize it to the individual person, not just groups of people.

by Buenasterism

I am using an Apple Watch and have health data stored to the extent that I believe there should be an adequately suited soundscape right away. I need to sleep and I saw this ad and thought it would help. However the music made me feel more awake and has eerie vibes. The way the sound waves are visualized when I press the screen in sleep mode seems too active for the sleeping state and the sound produced does not feel intuitive but more randomly generated. Like I could not play the screen like a hand pan if I wanted to, the notes would just change and I’d be lost. Read some other reviews. Honestly feels like a soundscape to me but I’m just playing devils advocate and a healthy skeptic. Trying something different now, thank you for the opportunity but I felt mislead and shall take my journey for sleep elsewhere. Maybe pull a safe last resort which I do not want to have to do... to help me fall asleep 😴 Best of luck, you seem like a cool, genuine dude. ✌️

by Joseph_Mancha

I enjoy this app, particularly the Deeper Focus program by Richie Hawton. It seems this app will evolve Endel further. I sincerely hope They improve the adjustability of all features but none so urgently as the alarm. I find the wake up feature is quite nice but the fall asleep mode is very irritating and does not seem to be promoting good rest, I’m writing this review after a failed attempt to fall asleep to these new age massage room themes in the alarm function. Why you wouldn’t be able to have a couple sliders to the effect the result seems like a big missed opportunity for something as personal as sleep preferences. When the alarm and sleep modes are improved (which should be easy enough) Endel value will improve by ten fold. Still Rating 4 stars as I hope the team can take this constructive feedback and implement a patch. 💤🙏🏼

by JetMan{007}

Don’t get me wrong. App is great, really. I loved trial period of using it. However I think it’s a bit overpriced for alpha-gamma-.... whatever type of random generated sounds, that you can download all over an internet free of charge. I know it won’t be randomly generated with AI, deep learning etc... But, common, at the end of the day if I have tons of these samples downloaded, I barely could recognize any of them being repeated once in 1-2 months. That is just certain frequency level noise, that doesn’t make much different whether it was generated by this AI or by random frequency tone generator for free.

Other than that Endel is beautiful, well designed UI and UX is very intuitive and easy to use. If price is not your main concern than this is probably the best app in this field.

by Calamity Cate

I love it, I use Endel all the time throughout parts of my day. Mostly to sleep or nap though. Sends me straight out and I feel like I sleep deeper. If that’s just in my head, who cares, it works. Just one complaint, and it’s enough that I nearly deleted Endel yesterday. The VOLUME FLUCTUATIONS. A lot of the time I wake up and the volume is so low I can’t hear it even though I set it higher. But yesterday, I needed a nap, set it to the power nap function, added a timer, put it on my nightstand. Just as I was drifting off the volume went up to 100% and nearly scared me to death. I clicked it back down to normal, tried to fall asleep and about 2 minute later it turned the volume up all the way. Soothing sound isn’t so soothing when it’s being screamed into your face. Even after pausing it the music came back on. I had to fully quit Endel to make it stop. PLEASE fix it or at least have fluctuating volume be an option.

by Kdelno

I wasn’t a soundscape person before downloading Endel, but I can certainly say that I am now. I first downloaded Endel after seeing it on Apple’s App of the Day and was especially excited when I saw Grimes had contributed to Endel . I did not expect Endel to have such a profound affect on my everyday life. I have become accustomed to using the AI Lullaby soundscape when I study (hoping Grimes x this app will be back soon!) and I use the Sleep soundscape when I sleep. The corresponding visuals are soothing. I really can’t express how Endel has changed my life, both in helping bring joy when I study and helping me sleep better. Thank you, this app!

by Furthest Left

For me, 7 days was not long enough to be sure about Endel. But I’m not disappointed because I suspected this would be the case. So I waited for the 1 yr subscription to start and then canceled it so that I’d have a year to work with it. It takes a while to fully learn how to work Endel into your life but I’m getting there. It’s not a magic wand, you have to do your part as well... at least in my case it takes practice and experimentation. For example finding the most effective volume for various soundscapes was a big help for me.

I’m pretty sure I’ll restart the subscription at the end of my year. Just don’t want to forget to stop it just in case.

One recommendation to the development team. The fade in/out in the latest upgrade is good. Fade out should also be added to the timer setting when a sound alarm is not set. This way when you fall asleep the abrupt volume drop doesn’t wake you up.

by Peeeeesh

I have tried so many ambient sound apps, albums, radio stations, but never found any that have the ethereal and surreal quality I’d been craving. I’m a huge Grimes fan and was interested to see what an ambient collab would be like and I feel like I finally found the ethereal ambient sound! Happily subscribed to Endel but disappointed that AI lullaby is only available for a limited time. Please keep it available on Endel ! I’d buy a lifetime subscription if that were the case.
That aside, this is certainly the most well designed user experience I’ve come across in a meditation/sleep app. The concept of live mixing that matches your heart rate and surroundings? So innovative. I also LOVE the Apple Watch companion mode.

by KahnieG

I have actual immediate results from Endel, it’s amazing how well it helps me to focus! I have 3 main options I listen too that have tremendously helped me! The “deep work” option helps me focus when I’m working, I love how I can set the timer and focus on my tasks until I complete it. I also love the “read” option, because I can now read for hours without my brain wandering or without getting distracted. Then I also frequently use the “meditation”option, and this one helps me to stay in a meditative state of mind the entire time I set for meditation, it’s amazing! I truly do believe the science behind these sounds on Endel is absolute. Thank you so very much to the makers of Endel, it’s life changing! 🙏❤️💯

by Ash294

With everything going on in the world today, I’m too distracted to listen to podcasts and have always been unable to focus if music is on because I’m too enraptured in the music composition itself. Needless to say, I certainly can’t tune into the news and television just sounds like junk.

this app is a Godsend. The sounds and rhythms chosen for each mood state are impeccable. They genuinely give whatever state of mind I’m trying to achieve an instant boost.

I’m confident that the this app team must be using science and algorithms to understand how to give the brain exactly what you’re looking for. This is one of those applications that makes you realize you’re living in an incredibly innovative world - take advantage of it!

by Just A Faery

I love Endel so much. Best sleeping/sound scapes. Grimes drew me in, she is my fAvourite artist. Also, i love sleep sounds and ambient sound scapes~& use solfeggio frequencies aka binaural beAts mostly from you tube. i love how it this app tailors the soundscape specifially to your environment and body rythms. I want to get an apple watch to sync my heart rhythm! I used the power nap function and literally woke up feeling like I had been put under a magic spell!! Like, in the best way~Im not much of a napper lol too so totally cool... I had healing dreams && everything.... seriously blew me away. Kind of feels like it was made just for me, and I hope Everyone who uses it feels this way too :) I look forward to future updates && new artists, also i hope the AI lullably can stay around forever 💖🧝🏽‍♀️🧜🏽‍♀️ thank you 🙏🙏🙏💙🙏🙏🙏

by Elleoneiram

Oh no!! I really liked the Recovery soundscape, but I am mostly disappointed in the recent changes to the Focus music. I even sent a message asking if it had changed before almost accidentally finding out it and Relax had cut out “the energetic parts.” Those energetic parts were really helpful in helping wake me up, keep me focused, and keep track of time. Now it’s fairly boring ambient noise. I had been impressed at how the Focus music was fairly energetic but not distracting, as in I stopped noticing it but was able to read and focus on other things.

Many apps claim science in music helping with focus etc, but the ones I tried didn’t help that much and seemed based less on practical experiments and more on theoretical science. I was surprised at how well this app DID work. I’m writing this in hopes the creators will see this and take my comments into account!

Even if you keep focus and recovery as boring, can you introduce a similar mini soundscape of your previous Focus? And add the recovery again even if it’s mini? Not sure what to rate for now because I do love Endel , but this change is enough to second guess whether I’m willing to pay for it.

Edit: thank you for the response! I’ll adjust my rating. ^_^ So far, more recognizably zippy at times, heh.

by FerdRom

If you like being in the know on cutting edge technologies and regularity seek self improvement-
or you have ADHD, a sleeping disorder-
or you are a person who is disciplined about a regular routine so you can be on point to meet the demands of a a high pressure job-

Then you should add this app to your routine.
This has been a wonderful tool for me to focus, meditate, decompress on my drive after work, conditioning my brain for good sleep, helps w focus for yoga.
I play it in my classroom and my Autism students request my music if it’s NOT on. My parents are asking about this app for their kiddos at home.

My dog struggles with anxiety and loud noises and he LOOOOVES this app!!! He sleeps like a baby hearing a lullaby as he sleeps. It soothes him when he is stressed.

And most of all my sleep is so amazing- it beautiful to wake up to. If I wake in the middle of the night I am fall right back into beautiful sleep and I wake so refreshed.

I can’t rave enough about the benefits of this beautiful life saving tool. I want to tell everyone about it!!! I it’s just been like a godsend for me in my life.

I joined at the discount first time for one year and I will definitely join again regardless of cost. I could not put a price on all the benefits I have gotten as I sit it line’s waiting for COVID tests or vaccination tests. Long lines at banks ets.

this app! You should go there🕉

by Orangetoday

This is literally the only background music I’ve ever been able to stand for long periods of time and I can’t even begin to describe how much I appreciate it. I have ADHD and a boatload of anxiety and traditional white noise stresses me out to no end (as does closely repeating sounds), but there’s just enough variation in this app’s tracks that I don’t feel like ripping my hair out after several hours.

I have a nice pair of Bose headphones that I wear the majority of my work day (remote desk job) and once I switch on noise cancelling and start playing either Relax or Sleep, I find I am so much more relaxed and productive. My job requires a lot of intense focus and attention to detail so I credit a lot of my improved concentration to Endel.

The line animation is also beautiful and such a lovely visual distraction when I need one. My cat likes to lay on my desk while I work and I often have my iPad propped up with Endel open and she is entranced by the moving lines. Sometimes she’ll bat at it but she mostly just stares until she falls asleep.

I really cannot thank the developers enough for Endel. The closest thing I’ve ever come to with successful background music is Sigur Ros songs, which are absolutely beautiful but I get sick of listening to them on repeat all day. I’ve yet to get sick of this app and I hope it always stays that way.

by Manasota

I am new to Endel , so time will tell, but so far I like it enough to subscribe for a year. I like having it on in the background during the day on Relax or Focus, depending on what I am doing. At night the Grimes AI Lullaby soundscape help me get to sleep and I seem to wake feeling more rested. I keep the volume low at night. “Soundscape” is the perfect description. It is not like music, which I sometimes find distracting. The sound just fills the space and becomes part of my background environment. I play it through HomePod speakers.

At first, I was bothered by the white on black graphics and thought there should be some color. As I use Endel more, I’ve come to appreciate how much the graphics are a visual expression of the sound. It’s the sound that is most important. The graphics could have some color, either by modulating the background, or by introducing color into the line work. But I’m also fine without it now.

by Heftybags

I work overnights and seen that Endel was supposedly updated to use your wake time in the health app to adjust its algorithm to match the users sleep cycles well it doesn't do that. Every time I go to bed between 8am - 9am it plays morning rise energy sounds and when I use it in the middle of the night when my work is in full swing it plays sleep sounds. So unless you adhere to this app's pre conceived notion of what they declare is normal sleep / wake schedules then this will app won't help you in fact it would be a detriment. I guess if you work 8am - 4pm and sleep around 10pm - 6am everyday you might find some use here. I'm rating it one star because for shift workers it is useless.

Not that it matters in my case because I don't use Endel but if I did it's imperative that this type of app allows background play so users can put on sleep stories, podcast, or other ambient sounds while also playing this app.

by TheSwedishChed

I’ve used sound to deep work and sleep for years, but this is just a whole new level.

WORK (Focus mode)
This has instantly boosted my focus depth and duration while working. It has replaced the Thunderspace app and my ‘Chill’ playlist I used previously.

WALKING (On the go)
I use it while walking, and I meditate and pray while I walk. I do know how they do it, but the sound is so unique, interesting, rhythmic and beautiful. It really helps me get in the meditative zone very quickly. It has dramatically improved the quality of my meditation through walking.

SLEEP
I’ve used the Pillow app for a few years, as well as the Smart Alarm feature on my Withings/Nokia wearable tracker - mainly to wake up at a good time in my sleep cycle. While Endel doesn’t have that feature, I have begun to use the Sleep feature in place of the sounds of the Pillow app just before bed. Works great, and I like the sounds much better.

RELAX
While I do t use this one very often, it seems to work when I do. I’ll chill out while reading or contemplating, or while making a fire at home.

For me, the killer features are the fact that this is all in one beautiful app that’s a joy to use, and secondarily, that the quality of the sound and features are second to none. This has become one of my top 5 third-party apps, probably forever.

Nice work team!

by Poesidon

I was only offered the annual subscription.
I am frustrated by the lack of transparency that it is a subscription app (1st week free only). Reading through the description it can be found that there is a layered subscription which include a lifetime option.
Endel was interesting enough app that I was willing to pay a one time premium for the lifetime subscription. So I’ve signed up. They then offer a twenty four hour 50% discount for new users. There was no way to get to the lifetime membership option (not at all).
- don’t lie to me, don’t make false offers, don’t not make the product fully available.
It looks like a well made app. Good job to the builders. Someone is sales has convinced you that dishonest practices are acceptable. I am sad for you.

by Muzical84

No idea why Apple promoted this thing in the Today panel.

I let this thing run in the background, all of the permissions it wants, etc., but it doesn’t play audio at ALL. Tap Play and the button icon switches to Pause for just long enough that you don’t doubt that you pushed it. I also got a notice that my first “insight” report was ready, but when I tapped the notification, it just dumped me on the usual non-functional home screen. I tried to go to Insights manually and just got the message about “keep using this app,” etc.

I suppose Endel does do one thing: tapping on the horizontal lines floating across my screen does generate some visual effects, I guess? It’s basically a screensaver otherwise.

by HaleyTheAuthor

I paid for a year of this because there’s a discount if you buy before the 7 free days. I didn’t realize that there are literally no options. You choose from 5 types of sounds, relax/focus/on the go/sleep/season. Thats it. They are good for sure, but the sleep and season one stopped working after 3 weeks, so now it’s onto relax... for the rest of the year? I have bad PTSD, sleeping is hell to begin with, finances are tight. Definitely wouldn’t have purchased had I known it was really well marketed up front with a super basic back end. AND if you want to use this app on ITunes, you need the unlimited iTunes for 9.99 per month... it doesn’t come with the this app subscription. Get a free app.

by JeS1980

I really love Endel...to help me concentrate on work, to just chill out and most of all to sleep. For me, this is where the flaw presents itself. I love using the timer to fall asleep to, however; when the timer is done instead of just fading off leaving me in peace and quiet it makes this weird jarring/beeping/clatter noise that ALWAYS wakes me up after I've fallen asleep. Please get rid of that. I don't need to be alerted that the sounds I am using to fall asleep are now over. I already have a lot of trouble sleeping - that's why I use Endel. Being woken up abruptly after failing gently asleep is annoying and frustrating. Rating would be 5 stars if it weren't weird ending.

by Studiogestalt

This is a beautifully designed app and has one of my favorite sleep modes. I found the sleep sounds very easy to fall asleep to.

My biggest issue so far and what keeps me from giving it a 5 star rating is when using Sleep mode I usually set a timer as I don't need sounds going all night. I usually just want an hour or two to fall asleep and perhaps mask out external noise to get to that state. Also if my phone is unplugged it would drain the battery to keep it going all night.

But when the timer expires a jarring chime and alternative sound track kicks in. This wakes me up every single time!

It is supposed to be a timer — not an alarm right?

So why would you have a chime go off and alter the sound waves in such an abrupt fashion. Now I am awake again.

Rather than this alarm the sounds should just simply stop or even fade out.

Just a little feedback.

by Alex Am.

At first I was a bit “iffy” about confirming a 7 day free trial, but as I began to use Endel , my mind changed completely. Really simple, easy, and pleasing interface to look at. The sounds and overall listening experience is great, I’m already sold and I’ve only been using it for one day! The “focus” themed soundtrack is surprisingly effective, I found myself focused in almost a trance like state and got so much work done. Looking forward to being able to focus and get some good sleep. Really hope the developers include different soundscapes - even though it seems like the selection on Endel is extensive enough.

by TylerJB2234

Endel is amazing. I’m not a big app guy but lately I’ve been struggling with getting the sleep I need and some stress so I was looking around for help. Tried a couple things but none worked until I found this. Endel is a whole other animal. I love it. I connect my speaker to my phone and play the sleep section while I get ready to try to sleep and since I’ve started using it I have had some incredible sleep. I wake up feeling great. Thank you guys a lot. Keep up the great work and I am excited to see what is to come!

by Steven St. Blaize

On paper Endel is a rapturously good idea I was ready to pay for. After my week trial I was still intrigued so I paid for an additional month.

This doesn’t feel like a curated experience worthy of a subscription, it feels like a 4 song album. Beyond that, the insights are utterly meaningless and provide no additional value to my experience.

I’ll definitely be looking for a place to download these four tracks so I can put them on repeat myself, but to charge a subscription promising a curated personal service for this just seems... misleading. I wanted to love Endel, maybe I’ll check back in a year or two :/

by Jules2793

Rarely do I fall in love with apps as quickly as I did with this app. Since signing up for a paid subscription, I have been able to focus way better at work, and I have been sleeping better too.
I can't recommend it enough.
The one feature that would take this to the next level imo would be shortcuts support. I would love to be able to automate this app to start playing through my HomePod when I start my bedtime scene, for instance.

by Britney Heart

I downloaded Endel and I signed up and everything fast forward to when it’s time to use. I’m trying to go to sleep and i then open Endel . I try to click the “ S “ but it stays on the “ HOUSE “ and it’s not making any wavelenths. It’s just quiet. The lines are moving in straight lines. Nothing like the videos. Am I doing something wrong ? If someone could help that would be very appreciated:) I’m pretty sure it’s a great app I just need to learn how to use it successfully.

by Jessmess443

I’ve tried lots of other similar apps but I love this one the most so far. The personalization is effective and invaluable compared to other free and generic sound apps. The design is beautiful and distraction free. I would say it’s absolutely worth the subscription.
An added bonus - my cats really seem to love the sounds too. I play focus on a portable speaker while doing chores around the house and they love following me around while it’s playing.

by Capitalj

Mere minutes after beginning the seven day trial, I paid for the lifetime option—which was deeply discounted at the time. I use this app daily; it has supplanted several other relaxation and ambient sounds apps.

Although I was hesitant to allow location and motion tracking, it does enhance the experience (somewhat limited, I suppose, by the fact that I don’t wear a fitness tracker or heart rate monitor).

I’m happy to see the problem with disconnecting headphones and Bluetooth speakers is fixed. It was annoying to have to switch modes or quit and relaunch to get sound back.

For those who tend to keep screens dimmer, unselected mode icons can be difficult to see. Otherwise I love the interface. I particularly like the timer. I don’t know why all soundscape apps don’t have one.

Although I like the new winter mode, periodically some the loop transitions are a bit abrupt. (Strings maybe? The sounds have changed and it’s not happening as I write this.) I think it would be nice if it becomes a seasons mode that changes with the calendar.