While some people usually prefer total silence while working, others are more creative and productive while having noises around. Mind you, we’re not talking about annoying sounds such as those that can be heard near construction sites or places where protests are held regularly.
Ambient sound apps (or noise apps) have gained massive popularity over the past decade, and are a perfect solution for those people who don’t prefer silence while working or relaxing.
And thankfully, there are tons of noise apps out there for all sorts of devices, and most of them are really awesome offering well over 50 ambient sounds and the ability to mix and match them however you please.
Relaxator – the simplest noise app out there
When we say “simplest,” we really mean it. While we usually like to start out reviews by pointing out the positives, and then maybe say what might make the app better, if need be.
In the case of Relaxator, we feel it’s relevant to do the complete opposite, meaning first pointing out what Relaxator DOESN’T have.
Here’s what’s missing
For starters, it’s worth noting that Relaxator doesn’t boast an impressive collection of ambient/background sounds. In fact, you only get four (yes, you read that right): the sound of the forest, the sound of the surf, the sound of rain, and the sound of the night (with crickets and all that).
In terms of features, well, there are NONE. Relaxator doesn’t offer a shuffle function, a sweep function (to mix up the volumes over time), no status bar integration, doesn’t allow you to load your own noise recordings, and no way to change the volume (so, you’ll have to rely on the system sound slider).
Here’s why you might consider Relaxator
Ok, so words like “minimalist” or “stipped-down” seem a bit of an overkill in the case of Relaxator. Nevertheless, we’re talking about a free and open-source app.
It may not have many features, but at least it doesn’t charge you a premium just to get a couple of sounds, and it doesn’t bombard you with ads if you choose not to (like some online noise apps do).
