Best bedtime story apps for kids on iPhone (2026)
What are the best bedtime story apps for kids on iPhone in 2026?
For most families, Moshi is the established pick, with stories, sleep sounds and meditations and well-known guest narrators; Storynory suits parents who want free audio fairy tales and myths, published weekly since 2005. DREA fits parents who want a focused bedtime audio app: narrated fairy tale and fantasy stories with gentle narration, child and pet profiles that let stories adapt to your child, a library for replaying favourites, bedtime reminders and a Home Screen shortcut to start a story. Calm suits families already using it, with story meditations and music for ages 12 and under. KidloLand's Bedtime Stories is a lower-cost subscription option. DREA is iPhone only and Premium is a subscription with a 3-day trial on the yearly plan. Preview any story yourself to check the tone suits your child.
Disclosure: ODEL makes DREA. We list other apps on their merits, say where they are the better choice, and link our sources. Store ratings and prices are from the public App Store listing on the date shown.
Quick comparison
| App | Best for | Platforms | Price | Store rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moshi Kids | Families who want stories, sleep sounds and meditations in one app | iOS, Android | Free to download | 4.7 (70,511 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Storynory | Free audio fairy tales and myths | Web, Podcast apps | See website | — |
| DREA (ours) | A focused bedtime audio app with fairy tales that adapt to your child | iOS | Free to download | — |
| Calm | Families who already use Calm | iOS, Android | Free to download | 4.8 (1,991,791 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
| Bedtime Stories (KidloLand) | A lower-cost subscription story app | iOS, Android | Free to download | 4.5 (16,915 ratings, 2026-11-02) |
1. Moshi Kids: best for families who want stories, sleep sounds and meditations in one app
Moshi Kids (by Mind Candy) is best for families who want stories, sleep sounds and meditations in one app. Stories, sleep sounds and meditations; Apple Editors' Choice. Guest narrators include Goldie Hawn and Patrick Stewart. Stories slow down and music fades gently. The main limitations: Subscription; some reviewers cancelled over cost and a renewal price increase; A reviewer reports some environmental-themed stories upset young children.
Why we picked it
- Stories, sleep sounds and meditations; Apple Editors' Choice
- Guest narrators include Goldie Hawn and Patrick Stewart
- Stories slow down and music fades gently
Limitations
- Subscription; some reviewers cancelled over cost and a renewal price increase
- A reviewer reports some environmental-themed stories upset young children
Sources: apps.apple.com, educationalappstore.com, ca.trustpilot.com
2. Storynory: best for free audio fairy tales and myths
Storynory is best for free audio fairy tales and myths. A free audio story every week since November 2005. Fairy tales and myths read by professional actors; available on the web and in podcast apps. The main limitations: The podcast feed includes sponsor messages; Not built around a bedtime routine.
Why we picked it
- A free audio story every week since November 2005
- Fairy tales and myths read by professional actors; available on the web and in podcast apps
Limitations
- The podcast feed includes sponsor messages
- Not built around a bedtime routine
Sources: storynory.com, advertisecast.com
3. DREA: best for A focused bedtime audio app with fairy tales that adapt to your child
DREA (by ODEL) is best for A focused bedtime audio app with fairy tales that adapt to your child. Narrated bedtime stories, fairy tales and fantasy adventures with gentle narration. Child and pet profiles let stories adapt to your child. Library for repeat listening, bedtime reminders and a Home Screen shortcut to start a story. The main limitations: iPhone only; Premium is a subscription (weekly, monthly or yearly; 3-day free trial on the yearly plan); Newer app with very few ratings so far.
Why we picked it
- Narrated bedtime stories, fairy tales and fantasy adventures with gentle narration
- Child and pet profiles let stories adapt to your child
- Library for repeat listening, bedtime reminders and a Home Screen shortcut to start a story
Limitations
- iPhone only
- Premium is a subscription (weekly, monthly or yearly; 3-day free trial on the yearly plan)
- Newer app with very few ratings so far
Sources: apps.apple.com
4. Calm: best for families who already use Calm
Calm (by Calm.com, Inc.) is best for families who already use Calm. Calm for Kids has story meditations and sleep-friendly music for ages 12 and under. The main limitation: Its 100+ sleep stories are written for adults.
Why we picked it
- Calm for Kids has story meditations and sleep-friendly music for ages 12 and under
Limitations
- Its 100+ sleep stories are written for adults
Sources: educationalappstore.com
5. Bedtime Stories (KidloLand): best for A lower-cost subscription story app
Bedtime Stories (KidloLand) (by KidloLand Kids & Toddler Games) is best for A lower-cost subscription story app. Free download with a monthly or yearly subscription. The main limitation: Sources conflict on whether ads appear between stories.
Why we picked it
- Free download with a monthly or yearly subscription
Limitations
- Sources conflict on whether ads appear between stories
Sources: apps.appfollow.io, techpp.com
How we chose
- Ready-narrated audio rather than a read-aloud tool
- Calm story tone suited to winding down
- Easy to replay favourites and keep a routine
- Story focus versus a mix of meditations, sounds and music
- Pricing model: free, subscription or one-time purchases
Questions
What is a good free bedtime story option for kids?
Storynory has published a free audio story every week since 2005, available on its website and in podcast apps. Moshi, DREA and KidloLand's Bedtime Stories are free to download but rely on subscriptions.
Which bedtime story app is a cheaper alternative to Moshi?
Storynory is free, and KidloLand's Bedtime Stories has a lower-cost subscription. DREA offers weekly, monthly and yearly Premium plans plus a one-time 5 Extra Adventures pack; compare current prices in the App Store.
How do I find calm stories that won't upset my child?
Listen to a story yourself first and keep a few favourites for replay. DREA has a library for repeat listening, and Moshi reviewers suggest building playlists of stories that suit your child.
Is Calm good for kids' bedtime stories?
Calm for Kids has story meditations and music for ages 12 and under, but Calm's main sleep stories are written for adults. Moshi and DREA are built around children's bedtime stories.