Endel: Focus & Sleep Sounds

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1. ★★★★★billing trap

   You will get charged $120 without being asked to confirm. It’s such a shame yall are using these scheisty practices when you actually have a good product that helps people. Stop the trial after seven days and ASK if someone wants to pay to subscribe. I will happily buy this and rate it 5 stars if/when you make this change.

2. ★★★★★other

   Absolutely BS. Don't waste energy

3. ★★★★★billing trap

   Unauthorized $119.99 charge, refund process failed. I downloaded Endel through the App Store where my purchase history shows the app as Free / Total $0.00. I canceled the trial the same day, and Endel does not show under my Apple subscriptions. Despite that, my debit card was charged $119.99 by Endel Sound USA Corpor / Endel. I received no receipt, no subscription confirmation, no trial reminder, and no billing notice. I contacted Endel support, and their automated response sent me to a refund link. That refund link then said “Refund conditions not met” and told me to contact support again. I submitted a support ticket, and it was immediately marked “solved” even though nothing was resolved. This is a terrible billing/support experience. Users should be extremely careful before downloading or starting any trial with this app. I am now having to dispute the charge with my bank.

4. ★★★★★billing trap

   App has crashed…. I literally just downloaded the app and everything seemed to be working fine, but as soon as I triggered the free trial with a yearly subscription to follow, the app crashed and I can’t even cancel the subscription because it doesn’t appear as a purchase or a subscription in my Apple account! I deleted it and will try downloading it ONE MORE TIME, and if it works, I will update my review.

5. ★★★★★advertised content not in app

   False Advertising. Your advertising is a lie. The only reason why I downloaded your app Was because of the ad featuring the song That shifts from left or right, in the ad telling you to turn your phone sideways to experience it. it was a great demo. Then I paid for a full year, search for that exact song. And it’s not available. it’s not in the app at all!! So you used content that paying customers cannot access to sell subscriptions. That is textbook false advertising. It feels like I was deliberately baited into buying something under false pretenses. Every time I see the ad now, it just reminds me that your marketing is built on something you never planned on delivering. I am requesting a refund because I’m not getting what your advertising promised.

6. ★★★★★upsell ads for paying subscribers

   Prompts for Money Each Boot. Even though I ALREADY subscribe it prompts me to upgrade and pay for Lifetime membership any time I open the app. Talk about greed. Easily annoyed me from resubscribing in the future.

7. ★★★★★billing trap

   Takes over your phone by default. Everytime I get in the car it starts on its own. I have to open and turn it off manually. No place to fix in settings. Cancelled subscription. Fat oof.

8. ★★★★★billing trap

   Loved it, Until I had to pay them for the rest of forever.. This app was about to be perfect, just as im truly experiencing the awesomeness of real-time music adaption to my movement the music all stops and a "Pay $10 a month to keep going more than 10 minutes" message pop ups. No amount of time extensions are going to change the awful nature of subscriptions. Make a "One-Time Payment" option like everything used to be in the old days or this app belongs in the "Run by a greedy group of jerks" category.

9. ★★★★★billing trap

   Feels More Focused on Revenue Than User Experience. This was recommended by a ADHD youtuber, so I tried the Endel app after his recommendation. Unfortunately, my experience was the opposite of what I expected. The subscription model was the first red flag. Even though I downloaded it through the App Store, I had to enter my credit card directly instead of subscribing through Apple. If someone forgets to cancel the 7-day trial, they’re charged $119 for a year. I only used the app for a few minutes before deciding it wasn’t for me and canceled right away, but the whole setup felt intentionally designed to make it easier for people to end up paying. Before I even had a chance to understand what the app actually did, it was asking me to invite three friends. That immediately gave me the impression that getting new users is a higher priority than letting people experience the product first (which also hints that the developers are not very confident in the product itself, because if the product was great, people would recommend it to friends and family without prompting) The app is also marketed for people with ADHD, but I found the interface overwhelming rather than helpful. There are lots of menus and options to click through without much guidance. I tapped “Anxiety Relief,” expecting some explanation or immediate experience, but it simply asked me to set a timer. Then I was looking at a black screen with a few dots and, at least in my case, no sound at all. I was left wondering whether I had missed something. Instead of feeling supported, I felt confused. Overall, the app felt like a basic library of ambient sounds with very little explanation of what makes it worth $119 a year. The black screen with gray and white elements also felt claustrophobic to me rather than calming. I kept wondering what I was paying for that I couldn’t get elsewhere. What I found most ironic is that this app was recommended in a video about doing less and avoiding unnecessary additions to your life. To me, this app is exactly that another subscription, another account, another thing to manage, without offering enough value to justify it.

10. ★★★★★overwhelming interface and onboarding

    Asks intrusive questions. Stop with the questions Just give me the sounds

11. ★★★★★billing trap

    Fraudulent. I may have looked at this app but I didn’t intend to sign up for a year. I can’t see anyway to contact endel to request a refund, but I would like one.

12. ★★★★★billing trap

    App never works and feels like a scam. I downloaded this app and tried the free trial. The app crashes every time I try to open it. Customer support was no help when I contacted them. And then I was charged for a subscription even though it was not showing up in my settings as an active subscription. Save yourself the hassle and skip this one.

13. ★★★★★upsell ads for paying subscribers

    Great but so triggering I’m done with it. Developer response to me is nonsense. They offer a discount at all times. Downgraded to 1 star for lying. I have never not gotten offered a discount since subscribing and opening the app. It’s a straight up racket. I really like the app and am apparently a top user but I find it incredibly frustrating that I paid for a year subscription and still get bombarded with advertisements of discounts for renewed membership or paying for it in full. It drives me absolutely nuts to the point that I’ve started closing the app instead of closing the ad and starting the soundscape. I cannot take it anymore.

14. ★★★★★technical bugs

    Disgusting and greeedy. The worst app ever for what it claims to do. Apple already has fantastic built in sleep aids. Stopped working on AirPlay. The developers are manosphere loving pricks.

15. ★★★★★advertised content not in app

    bait and switch.. The ad plays a specific type of music in order to get you to download the app. Once it’s downloaded, nowhere on the app can you find that specific sound or song . The app contains a lot of calming music and sounds that you can actually find on many other apps..

16. ★★★★★other

    Regret buying. Bought a subscription but there’s just not enough on here to keep it interesting if I were to use it every day. Also I don’t love all the sounds. You can do better just curating a playlist on SoundCloud and then getting the algorithm to suggest stuff.

17. ★★★★★billing trap

    Can’t cancel app!. While I enjoyed the free trial, the app does not show up in the apple subscription and there’s no way to cancel or request a refund. I’m angry I was charged $119.99 and have no way of canceling via Apple as the FAQ’s state since it doesn’t show up on any apple subscription page

18. ★★★★★overwhelming interface and onboarding

    Shameful app that takes advantage of ADHD people. It uses a tree where you shake your phone to get things. That’s like a slot machine for dopamine. It costs $119/yr It makes ADHD people spend more time on their phones instead of disconnecting. Shame. Shame.

19. ★★★★★advertised content not in app

    Misleading advertising. The ad I saw had an 8d thing that isn’t even available in the premium. Wish I had read the 1 star reviews before going to premium. How scammy of you. Your response to others on this issue is garbage too. Hope karma gets you.

20. ★★★★★upsell ads for paying subscribers

    Paying for Non-Stop Advertising. This app is annoying I am paying for “Premium” membership and yet I am constantly bombarded with ads to upgrade or purchase an annual membership. The UI is kind of clumsy. It’s not the worst I’ve seen, but if you find a sound you like you should remember exactly how you got there. Honestly, I have to admit, once you get it going it can be very helpful in staying focused while reading. It’s good for finding and maintaining creative focus. If it was just the clumsy AI I’d give this 4 or 5 stars, but as long as I feel hounded to pay more money this app will remain in the one star range until it stops or 0 stars becomes an option.

21. ★★★★★overwhelming interface and onboarding

    Too many pop ups and options and questions. As the title says. Too many options and variables. Too many clicks, too many little toggles. Easily overwhelming.

22. ★★★★★overwhelming interface and onboarding

    Worst UX EVER. The music is good. The UX is like a puzzle… using the app for a long time BUT still have to realize how to navigate every time.

23. ★★★★★billing trap

    Difficult to unsubscribe. No options to unsubscribe. Must contact Apple directly for refund

24. ★★★★★billing trap

    Warning: $119.99 billing trap. I strongly recommend avoiding this app unless you are prepared to risk a $119.99 charge that may not appear under your normal Apple Subscriptions. My issue is not just that the app is overpriced. The issue is the billing flow. I downloaded Endel believing I was starting a free trial. I did not knowingly agree to a paid annual subscription or knowingly authorize a $119.99 charge. After the charge appeared, I immediately checked my Apple Subscriptions to cancel or manage it, but there was no active or past Endel subscription listed there. That matters. Most iPhone users reasonably assume that if they download an app from the App Store and authorize payment through an Apple-looking flow, the subscription will appear under Apple Subscriptions. In my case, it did not. That means I could not cancel, verify, or manage the charge through the standard Apple subscription process. This is especially concerning because Endel markets itself toward people with ADHD and focus difficulties. A confusing trial/payment/cancellation flow is bad for any user, but it is especially harmful when the app is being advertised to people who may already struggle with memory, task-switching, and subscription management. The ads I saw also emphasized special “8D” audio/music content. What I found in the app did not match what was advertised. Other reviews describe similar issues: people expected the advertised 8D tracks or trial experience and instead ended up confused, disappointed, or charged. If you already got charged and cannot find Endel under Apple Subscriptions, this is the dispute language I recommend giving your bank or card issuer: “I am disputing a $119.99 charge from Endel. I did not knowingly authorize a paid annual subscription and did not provide informed consent to be charged this amount. I initially downloaded the Endel app under what was presented as a free trial. After seeing the charge, I immediately attempted to locate and cancel any associated subscription. However, there is no active or past Endel subscription listed under my Apple Subscriptions. Because the subscription does not appear in Apple’s subscription management system, I was unable to cancel, verify, or manage it through the normal Apple subscription process. For these reasons, I believe this charge resulted from a deceptive or unclear billing flow, and I request a full refund.” This app should not be allowed to advertise a simple free-trial experience while using a payment and cancellation structure that many users cannot reasonably understand or manage. Be extremely careful before entering any trial or payment flow.

25. ★★★★★billing trap

    Get a free soundscapes app instead. I wasn’t too impressed with the app on the premium trial. I get the same thing much much simpler on a soundscapes app I have for free. I uninstalled the app and canceled my subscription with my Apple account. Now I’m getting email after email from Endel about failing to renew my membership which I already canceled. I try logging in on the browser and there’s no option for me to cancel my subscription just change payment methods. It’s ludicrous.

26. ★★★★★billing trap

    Such Bad Faith People. Just like many other reviews on here, I too tried this app out on the 7 day free trial and went to cancel it in the Apple App Store and it was not listed there to cancel it! (Now don’t try and say I must have signed up on the website because I absolutely did NOT. Like the gaslighting you’ve done to other bad reviews on here!) I could not get it figured out by the next day to cancel it and when I contacted them about it was told “Oh sorry, we can’t refund you cause you didn’t cancel the free trial.” Sorry about your luck basically. It’s not like they are out anything anyway either. It’s a subscription that I do not want! People are so greedy. Now I’m out $120 bucks for something I’m not using. This review is going to go on every review site I can find! You can count on that.

27. ★★★★★billing trap

    Annoying and deceptive. You might see an ad for this and install it thinking I’m going to listen to the sounds and see if any of it is any good. You will have like 20 onboarding screens and at now point will you understand what this app does or why it’s asking you these questions. Then it will present you with some truly insane subscription pricing options including a free trial that they clearly hope you will choose and then forget about. The real tell is you can’t choose the free trial with the monthly option. Minimum penalty for forgetting to cancel the trial is a $60 charge. No reason to do that unless you are riding in scam money. Maybe the app is cool and good. Who knows. After all that BS I just killed the app and didn’t come back.

28. ★★★★★billing trap

    Total rip off. I tried the “free trial” and I always make sure to cancel right after I sign up just in case. With this app, I checked in the Apple App Store and there was no subscription so I thought it was fine. Instead I got charged $119 TWICE. I sent an email they said I wasn’t eligible for a refund. Will attempt to chargeback my credit card but this is a poor way of doing business. There’s a Reddit thread about this scam too.

29. ★★★★★advertised content not in app

    False advertising. The advertisement shows an “8D” song which is just bilateral audio and a woman singing. The problem is they don’t play songs. They play an assortment of beats that you can adapt. I also selected the “1 week free trial” on May 26th and on May 30th $19.99 for this app went through.

30. ★★★★★billing trap

    Nothing like the ad. I was super excited by the ad on IG that featured a woman singing with a binaural effect. There is nothing like that in the app. There is nothing in this app I can’t find on YouTube for free. It really seems like you’re preying on folks with ADHD by getting them to sign up for the free trial because we’re the demographic most likely to forget to cancel it before being charged the $130+ annual fee.