Baby monitor gadgets are pretty expensive, which is why using an app on a spare iPhone or Android device is a great alternative. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a baby monitor, you can pay a small monthly fee and get a similar experience.
Below, you'll find the best Android and iOS apps that you can use to monitor your baby. Some of them offer a free trial, so you can try them out first-hand before spending your hard-earned money.
1. Annie Baby Monitor
Annie Baby Monitor allows you to connect your child-monitoring phone to multiple devices. If other family members want to help you monitor the baby, you can connect and install Annie Baby Monitor on their devices too.
This app has a night light feature that you can use on the monitoring device to help you monitor the child when it's dark. If your baby wakes up in the middle of the night, you don't always have to go to their room. You can soothe your child by simply turning on your mic and speaking to them.
When you use the Annie Baby Monitor app, you don't even need to be using the same type of phone. The Annie Baby Monitor app works on different phone platforms, you can find this app on iOS and Android. In order to enjoy this app, you need a subscription. You can choose between a weekly plan for $5.99, a monthly plan for $10.99, a yearly plan for $59.99, or a lifetime plan for $149.99.
Download: Annie Baby Monitor for iOS | Android (Subscription required)
2. Luna
Your iPhone can be used as a gadget to make parenting easier for you. The Luna app allows you to watch your baby while you do other things on your iPhone. The app runs in the background and sends you notifications when your child wakes up.
If you're not busy with other apps on your phone, you can watch the live stream footage of your baby or listen to the audio. Luna's unique eco-mode allows you to monitor your baby without using too much battery or data. Luna is only available on the iOS and iPadOS App Store for iPhone and iPad devices.
Download: Luna for iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)
3. BabyCam
BabyCam can be used as a secure baby monitor for your home. BabyCam doesn't require a complicated process to connect your devices. All you have to do is ensure that your devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
BabyCam includes features that allow you to soothe your baby even when you're not in the room. You can play a lullaby or turn on your mic to speak to your child. If the connection is ever lost between the child-monitoring device and the parent device, the parent device will send you a notification.
BabyCam is only available on the Google Play Store for Android devices.
Download: BabyCam for Android (Free, in-app purchases available)
4. Baby Monitor Teddy
If you're looking for a quick and easy way to monitor your baby, this app is for you. You can use Baby Monitor Teddy by simply downloading the app and connecting your devices, no registration required.
Baby Monitor Teddy allows you to live steam from anywhere, even if you're out for a quick errand. You can also hear any sound made in the room monitoring your child, and if you need to attend to something on your device, the app will run in the background as an audio monitor.
If you'd like to try the app without any commitments, luckily, you can use the free trial to get an experience of the app. This app is available on both Android and iPhone.
Download: Baby Monitor Teddy for iOS | Android (Subscription required, free trial available)
5. Baby Monitor Nancy
Baby Monitor Nancy allows you to monitor and take care of your child no matter where you are. This app has a night mode option that you can access by either using your phone's flash or brightness. This allows you to monitor your baby when there isn't much light at night.
This app also offers HD video and audio quality, meaning you'll be able clearly see and hear your baby's movements. You can also talk or sing to your baby to calm them down when they're fussy.
You can access a free trial on this app and connect your device using a five-digit code that you'll receive in the app.
Download: Baby Monitor Nancy for iOS | Android (Subscription required, free trial available)
Find Ways to Make Parenting Easier
Letting your child sleep on their own is an important step towards their development. However, because they are so young, you still need to make sure they're okay. Fortunately, you have the above-mentioned apps to help you do that.
Now that you're able to watch your child as they sleep, you should find other tools to ease your parenting load.