Oh, that infernal alarm clock. We need it, but we hate it. And we hate it even more when it doesn't wake us up properly. If you need to guarantee that you'll wake up on time, you need one of these evil alarm clock apps.

Let's face it: some of us are heavy sleepers. We love that snooze button. But it all contributes to our downfall, as we end up being late. That's why we need alarm apps that will make any heavy sleeper get up.

1. Loud Alarm Clock

If typical alarm clocks don't work for you, Loud Alarm Clock may be the best alarm clock app if you're a very heavy sleeper. The app plays a volume boosted alarm sound and uses your phone's maximum volume.

When you set the alarm, you can also tell the app how many times to let you hit the snooze button. If you hit the snooze limit, the app warns that it will play a "diabolically annoying sound" to ensure you can't escape your alarm and have to wake up by then.

Besides the app's default alarm sound, you can also get voices like Hermione or Mr. Bond to wake you up in the morning. These costs in-app currency called Espressos, which are rewarded to you once every day when you successfully wake up to an alarm you set.

Download: Loud Alarm Clock for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

2. Alarmy

Everyone has a morning routine. What's the first thing you do after your alarm goes off? Maybe you head to the bathroom or hop to the kitchen to brew a pot of coffee.

Whatever your routine destination is, mark it in Alarmy. It's one of the simplest ways tech can help you build a better morning routine because the only way to dismiss the alarm then is to take a photo of you in that place.

In a way, the Alarmy alarm clock app is making sure you aren't only awake but have started doing the morning tasks you need to. Alarmy recommends choosing a place that is far from your bed and where the lighting is consistent. The bathroom usually works best for this.

Try out the app a couple of times before you start using it. You don't want to be stuck with a blaring alarm in the morning after you're wide awake.

Alarmy also offers other modes, like solving math problems, shaking the phone, or walking a certain number of steps to disable the alarm.

Download: Alarmy for Android | iOS (Free, subscription available)

3. Motion Alarm Clock

Motion is another alarm that doesn't stop until you move for a specific amount of time. It won't shut off even if you turn your phone on silent or stop the app from running in the background.

Worse, if you snooze and stop moving mid-alarm, the count will climb back up. The good thing, though, is it doesn't need vigorous shaking. The app registers the slightest movement, so just moving your phone around would do the trick.

Since the app will still run in the background, the best way to cheat your way is to simply close the app. But it won't give up easily. The app will send you notifications to tell you to return to the app and turn off your alarm.

It also has a Don't wake my spouse option that turns off the alarm sound for 10 seconds—just enough for you to run outside your room and turn your noisy alarm off without causing your partner to wake up. So if you're looking for an alarm that forces you to wake up by annoying you, this one's it.

Download: Motion Alarm Clock for iOS (Free, premium version available)

4. Shake-It Alarm

In the world of Android alarm clock apps, Shake-It Alarm makes you shake the phone to dismiss the alarm. Other missions to dismiss the alarm include touching the screen and blowing into your phone's microphone.

If you're concerned that the tasks are too simple, there are three difficulty levels to choose from. This way, you can ensure that you can't dismiss the alarm conveniently and fall back to sleep so easily.

Another feature of the app is its adorable cartoon characters. Having to drag ourselves up from the comforting bed is annoying enough, so the addition of a cute character on your screen to greet you when you turn off an alarm helps a little with the morning blues!

Download: Shake-it Alarm for Android (Free, in-app purchases available)

5. I Can't Wake Up!

If you don't like any of the methods mentioned above, check out I Can't Wake Up! It has multiple tasks to annoy you into getting out of bed—both mental and physical. It's an alarm app that makes you do math, but it also doubles up as an app that can help you improve your memory!

You can shake the phone, scan a barcode, and write some words. One of the best is the "repeat this sequence," which shows you a sequence and you have to repeat it, forcing you to wake up and pay attention to the screen.

I Can't Wake Up! is also supremely customizable. You can set ringtones, record your voice, and even wake up to your favorite songs. Plus, you can set different tasks for different days and alarms so that it doesn't get repetitive.

Download: I Can't Wake Up for Android (Free, premium version available)

6. Barcode Alarm Clock

Barcode Alarm Clock is another interactive alarm clock app that requires you to move around. This app's alarm only turns off after you scan the barcode you've added during setup. It also gives you a Plan B to type in the numeric code for your barcode instead of scanning it.

The catch? The code disappears and comes back every second, giving you enough adrenaline kick to officially start your day. The only way you could cheat this app is to have the item with the barcode accessible, although having toothpaste on your bedside table looks weird.

But even if you could cheat the app, a few seconds of trying to focus the camera on the barcode should be enough to get you up and about.

Download: Barcode Alarm Clock for iOS (Free)

Wake Up on Time With Unique Alarm Apps

If the default clock app on your smartphone isn't waking you up effectively with its alarms, try replacing it with one of the third-party alarm clock apps above.

Heavy sleepers should opt for Loud Alarm Clock, as its blaring sound can make its way into dreams and wake one up in a jiffy. But if your problem is staying awake right after you open your eyes, alarm apps that offer missions will force you to physically get up, focus, and shake off the sleepiness.