The Tide Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about Tide in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
Tide
The Insider’s Guide
Nature soundscapes with a focus timer, sleep and meditation
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among focus apps, read from Tide’s own pages.
Made by Guangzhou Moreless Network Technology Co., Ltd. · checked Oct 6, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from Tide’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on Tide’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.8
GPA, above 41 of the 65 other focus apps we grade
Tide is a mobile app that pairs nature soundscapes with a Pomodoro-style focus timer, sleep and nap modes, guided meditation and breathing exercises. Sounds such as rain, ocean and thunder can be mixed with your own music. The app is free to download, and a Tide Plus subscription is sold as an in-app purchase.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about Tide, taken from its own pages and our grades.
Pick a sound, start the timer, that's it; the listing shows nothing to set up first.
- 1
Best for a focus timer, sleep sounds and meditation in one
Tide puts a Pomodoro timer on top of rain, ocean and thunder, with sleep sounds, naps, meditation and breathing in the same app.
- 2
Paid plans start at $5 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store).
- 3
There is a free plan
Free to download with in-app purchases. The site's sound catalog has a Free filter, but the store listing does not spell out which features need Tide Plus.
- 4
It runs on 3 platforms
iOS, Android and macOS.
- 5
Focus timer
A Pomodoro-style timer that plays nature sounds while it runs. Timer lengths can be customized, and an immersive mode is meant to keep you off your phone.
- 6
Nature soundscapes
A library of recorded scenes such as rain, ocean and thunder, filed under Nature, Urban, Melody and other categories. A music fusion mode mixes your own music with the sounds.
- 7
Sleep and nap modes
Sleep sounds for the night and a nap mode for daytime, with light wake-up alarms and a sleep analysis report.
- 8
A 2.8 GPA, above 41 of 65
That is against the other focus apps we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
The plain part of Tide you could make: Pomodoro timer. What surrounds it you could not. The 4 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
Tide at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store)
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- The App Store subscription terms mention a free trial; its length is not stated
- Runs on
- macOS, iOS, Android
- Made by
- Guangzhou Moreless Network Technology Co., Ltd.
- Category
- Focus Apps
- Our grade
- 2.8 GPA, good
- Store rating
- 4.8 on the App Store, 8,334 ratings
The report card
Best for a focus timer, sleep sounds and meditation in one
Tide puts a Pomodoro timer on top of rain, ocean and thunder, with sleep sounds, naps, meditation and breathing in the same app. It blocks nothing. Tide Plus is $11.99 a month, prices appear only in the App Store alongside several unexplained items, nobody lists what Plus unlocks, and there's no Windows or web version.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | C | $11.99 a month puts it in the dearest quarter of focus apps, where the middle is $3.99. The year at $59.99 works out at $5 a month, which is ordinary. What stops it going higher is that nobody says what Plus unlocks. |
| Free plan and trial | C | Free to download, but you only get part of the sound library, and nothing itemises which sounds and features need Plus. The store terms mention a trial without saying how long it runs. |
| Features | B | It covers the whole calm-and-concentrate job: a timer that plays nature scenes, sounds you can mix with your own music, sleep and nap modes with light alarms, guided meditation, paced breathing and a session diary. It blocks nothing, mind. |
| Ease of use | A | 4.8 from about 8,300 App Store ratings. Pick a sound, start the timer, that's it; the listing shows nothing to set up first. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Both phones plus a Mac app, with Apple Health sync and Siri Shortcuts on iOS. No Windows or web version, and the Chrome extension the site links to no longer has a store page. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who Tide is for
- Fits if you work or study to rain, ocean and other nature sounds
- Works for people who want a focus timer, sleep sounds and meditation in one app
Who it is not for
- Pricey if you pay monthly, at $11.99 against $59.99 for the whole year
- Not for you if you want to know what's free before you download, since nobody itemizes it
- Too light for you if the problem is the apps you keep opening, because Tide blocks nothing
- Skip it if you work on Windows, as no Windows or web version is listed, and the Chrome extension's store page is gone
- Watch out: the App Store lists Membership items at $1.99 to $15.99 and a $9.99 Plus item, none explained, and no trial length
Good to know
Good for
- People who work or study to rain, ocean and other nature sounds
- Anyone who wants a focus timer, sleep sounds and meditation in one app
- iPhone and Apple Watch users who want sessions synced to Apple Health
Worth knowing
- 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.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$5
A month to start, paid by the year. There is a free plan too
Tide has a free plan. Paid plans start at $11.99 / month, or $59.99 / year (US App Store).
What stops it going higher is that nobody says what Plus unlocks.
Free
$0
Free download with part of the sound library. The listing does not say exactly where the free version stops.
Tide Plus (Monthly)
$11.99
per month, US App Store in-app purchase
Auto-renewing subscription, one of two options named in the listing. The listing does not itemize what Plus unlocks.
Tide Plus (Annual)
$59.99
per year, US App Store in-app purchase
The same subscription billed yearly. The in-app purchase list also shows an annual Tide Plus item at $54.99.
The free plan
Free to download with in-app purchases. The site's sound catalog has a Free filter, but the store listing does not spell out which features need Tide Plus.
Trying it first
The App Store subscription terms mention a free trial; its length is not stated
Read from apps.apple.com on Oct 6, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Annual discount
Annual Tide Plus costs about 58% less than monthly
The US App Store listing gives Tide Plus as $11.99 per month or $59.99 per year, so a year paid annually costs about 58% less than twelve monthly payments.
Stated on apps.apple.com
What the app costs elsewhere
Each country’s App Store price for “Tide Plus (Monthly)”, against $11.99 in the United States, in dollars at the day’s rate. The four cheapest and the four dearest of 11.
| Country | Price there | In dollars | Against the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philippines | ₱ 155.00 | $2.47 | 79% less |
| Indonesia | Rp 45ribu | $2.52 | 79% less |
| India | ₹ 249 | $2.57 | 79% less |
| Brazil | R$ 12,90 | $2.58 | 79% less |
| Canada | $14.99 | $10.54 | 12% less |
| Australia | $17.49 | $12.21 | about the same |
| United Kingdom | £10.99 | $14.53 | 21% more |
| Germany | 12,99 € | $14.56 | 21% more |
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
3
Places it runs: macOS, iOS and Android
Nature soundscapes with a focus timer, sleep and meditation. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: Pomodoro timer, focus music.
Both phones plus a Mac app, with Apple Health sync and Siri Shortcuts on iOS.
- Focus timer
- A Pomodoro-style timer that plays nature sounds while it runs. Timer lengths can be customized, and an immersive mode is meant to keep you off your phone.
- Nature soundscapes
- A library of recorded scenes such as rain, ocean and thunder, filed under Nature, Urban, Melody and other categories. A music fusion mode mixes your own music with the sounds.
- Sleep and nap modes
- Sleep sounds for the night and a nap mode for daytime, with light wake-up alarms and a sleep analysis report.
- Guided meditation
- Mindfulness courses such as Breathing and Body Scan, plus single sessions on topics like falling asleep and study pressure.
- Breathing guide
- Paced breathing exercises, including balanced breathing and the 4-7-8 pattern.
- Tide Diary and Apple Health sync
- A report of your sessions with shareable cards. The iOS app syncs data to Apple Health through HealthKit and supports Siri Shortcuts.
Where it runs
- macOS
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
- Apple Health
- Siri Shortcuts
Tide is made by Guangzhou Moreless Network Technology Co., Ltd.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
41/65
Other focus apps it is graded above
Tide's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 41 of the 65 other focus apps we grade, and level with 9.
It stands best on ease of use (A, above 45 of 65) and worst on free plan and trial (C, above 5).
Its paid plans start at $5 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $2.82 for the category: 30 of the 45 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.3 out of 4. Nothing scores higher for less, though at least one tool matches that score at a lower price.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 66 focus apps we grade, cut by the letter each got. Tide’s own letter is outlined.
- CValue for moneyAbove 8 of 65
- CFree plan and trialAbove 5 of 65
- BFeaturesAbove 48 of 65
- AEase of useAbove 45 of 65
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 39 of 65
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 56 focus apps. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. Tide is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
The plain part of Tide you could make: Pomodoro timer. What surrounds it you could not. The 4 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
It costs $59.99 a year.
What you could make
- Pomodoro timer: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A library of sound you would have to license.
- Apps for macOS, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- Hooks into the device itself: Siri and Shortcuts.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. Tide’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Endel, Noisli, Brain.fm, Forest and Portal
The 5 tools Tide is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Endel
Free plan · from $6.99/mo
Adaptive soundscapes for focus, relaxation and sleep.
- Only Endel lists a web app.
- Only Endel lists a Windows app.
- Endel can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.2GPA
Noisli
Free plan · from $10/mo
Ambient sound mixer with a session timer and text editor.
- Only Tide lists Android and macOS apps.
- Only Noisli lists a web app.
- Noisli also covers Markdown.
- 2.0GPA
Brain.fm
Free trial · from $99.99/yr
Functional music for focus, relaxation, sleep and meditation.
- 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.
- 3.0GPA
Forest
Free plan · from $5.99/mo
Focus timer that grows a virtual tree while you stay off apps.
- Only Tide lists a macOS app.
- Only Forest lists a browser extension.
- Forest also covers site & app blocker.
- 2.6GPA
Portal
Free plan · from $2.99/mo
Nature scenes with spatial audio for focus, sleep and calm.
- Only Tide lists an Android app.
- Portal can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
15
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is Tide free?
Tide has a free plan. Free to download with in-app purchases.
How much does Tide cost?
Tide lists 3 plans. Free: $0.
What platforms does Tide work on?
Tide is available on iOS, Android and macOS.
Does Tide offer any discounts?
Tide publicly lists the following: Annual Tide Plus costs about 58% less than monthly.
How is Tide rated?
Tide's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.8 out of 5 from 8,334 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
Does Tide have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Tide is listed for iOS, Android and macOS.
Does Tide have a Linux app?
No Linux app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 6, 2026. Tide is listed for iOS, Android and macOS.
Is Tide open source?
Tide is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 6, 2026.
What does Tide integrate with?
Tide's listing names Apple Health and Siri Shortcuts. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Does Tide have a free trial?
Yes. The App Store subscription terms mention a free trial; its length is not stated.
Who makes Tide?
Tide is made by Guangzhou Moreless Network Technology Co., Ltd.
What are the alternatives to Tide?
The closest alternatives to Tide in our directory are Endel, Noisli, Brain.fm, Forest and Portal.
How does Tide compare with other focus apps?
Tide's GPA of 2.8 is higher than 41 of the 65 other focus apps we grade, and level with 9.
Is Tide good value for money?
ToolGPA grades Tide C for value for money. Its paid plans start at $5 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $2.82 for the category: 30 of the 45 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of Tide?
The plain part of Tide you could make: Pomodoro timer. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from Tide’s own pages on Oct 6, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 10, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from Tide's own site and store listings on 6 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Also tested with a demo account on 2026-03-12.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by Guangzhou Moreless Network Technology Co., Ltd. Prices change, so check tide.fm before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
3,189
Tools graded, in 94 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
3,189
tools graded
94
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- Tide, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/tide
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "Tide: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 6, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/tide
Know someone choosing between focus apps?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/tide/guide
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See our other guides
The best-graded focus apps after Tide, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- Focus Apps Insider's GuideEvery one of the 66 focus apps we grade, compared
- ScreenZen Insider's GuideFree app that delays and blocks distracting apps and sites3.6 GPA
- Flora Insider's GuideFree focus timer that grows trees, alone or with friends3.2 GPA
- Flow Insider's GuideMinimal Pomodoro timer for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch3.2 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what Tide’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Tide is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by Guangzhou Moreless Network Technology Co., Ltd. Prices and plans change: check tide.fm before you buy.