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Alternatives · Focus

Tide alternatives

Tide compared with 6 alternatives: Endel, Noisli, Brain.fm, Forest, Portal and 1 more.

Tide has a free plan. Paid plans start at $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store). 4 of the 6 alternatives are free or have a free plan. 2 more offer a free trial.

6 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
TideThis toolFree plan · from $11.99/moYesmacOS, iOS, Android
EndelFree plan · from $6.99/moYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
NoisliFree plan · from $10/moYesWeb, iOS
Brain.fmFree trial · from $99.99/yrTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
ForestFree plan · from $5.99/moYesiOS, Android, Browser extension
PortalFree plan · from $2.99/moYesmacOS, iOS
focus.musicFree trial · from $3.33/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android

How each one differs from Tide

  1. Endel

    Adaptive soundscapes for focus, relaxation and sleep

    • Endel starts at $6.99 / month, or $39.99 / year (web checkout, US-dollar list). Tide starts at $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Endel lists a web app.
    • Only Endel lists a Windows app.
    • Endel can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Tide also covers Pomodoro timer.

    Suits: People who work or study better with background sound than silence

    Endel vs TideEndel pricing and details

  2. Noisli

    Ambient sound mixer with a session timer and text editor

    • Noisli starts at $10 / month billed yearly (Pro); the iOS app is $1.99 once. Tide starts at $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Noisli lists a web app.
    • Only Tide lists Android and macOS apps.
    • Noisli also covers Markdown.

    Suits: Masking office, traffic or household noise while working

    Noisli vs TideNoisli pricing and details

  3. Brain.fm

    Functional music for focus, relaxation, sleep and meditation

    • Brain.fm starts at $99.99 / year, billed annually. Tide starts at $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store).
    • Tide has a free plan. Brain.fm does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Brain.fm lists a web app.
    • Only Brain.fm lists a Windows app.

    Suits: People who find lyrics distracting while they work

    Brain.fm vs TideBrain.fm pricing and details

  4. Forest

    Focus timer that grows a virtual tree while you stay off apps

    • Forest starts at $5.99 / month, or from $32.49 / year (US App Store). Tide starts at $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Forest lists a browser extension.
    • Only Tide lists a macOS app.
    • Forest also covers site & app blocker.

    Suits: People who respond to a visual reward for staying off their phone

    Forest vs TideForest pricing and details

  5. Portal

    Nature scenes with spatial audio for focus, sleep and calm

    • Portal starts at $2.99 / month, or $29.99 / year (US App Store). Tide starts at $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store).
    • Only Tide lists an Android app.
    • Portal can be bought with a one-time purchase.

    Suits: People who focus or sleep better with nature sounds than music

    Portal vs TidePortal pricing and details

  6. focus.music

    Human-made instrumental music for timed focus sessions

    • focus.music starts at $3.33 / month, billed yearly ($39.99), or $4.99 monthly. Tide starts at $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store).
    • Tide has a free plan. focus.music does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only focus.music lists a web app.
    • Only focus.music lists a Windows app.
    • Tide also covers Pomodoro timer.

    Suits: People who work best to instrumental music without vocals

    focus.music vs Tidefocus.music pricing and details

Limits worth knowing in Tide

  • Tide publishes no prices on its website; the figures here come from its US App Store listing.
  • The App Store also lists Tide Membership purchases at $1.99, $4.99 and $15.99 and a $9.99 monthly Plus item without explaining them.
  • Neither the site nor the store listing itemizes which sounds and features are free and which need Tide Plus.
  • No Windows or web version is listed, and the Chrome extension the site links to no longer has a Chrome Web Store page.
Tide pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Tide?

The alternatives to Tide in this directory are Endel, Noisli, Brain.fm, Forest, Portal and focus.music. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Tide.

Is there a free alternative to Tide?

Yes. Endel, Noisli, Forest and Portal have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Tide alternatives work on Windows?

The Tide listing does not include a Windows app. Endel, Brain.fm and focus.music list one.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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