It started at 3AM

Softly was born from insomnia. From lying awake in a too-quiet apartment, brain buzzing, searching for something — anything — to quiet the noise inside.

We tried everything. White noise machines that sounded like broken radios. YouTube videos interrupted by ads. Meditation apps that made us feel worse for not being calm enough. Sleep playlists that shuffled from gentle rain to heavy metal.

So we built what we needed: a curated library of ambient soundscapes backed by actual neuroscience. Not just "relaxing sounds" — specific sound profiles designed for specific cognitive states. Rain sounds tuned for sleep. Coffee shop ambience calibrated for creative flow. Brown noise at the frequency range that masks the most common disturbances.

What we believe

• Sound is medicine. The right sound at the right time can change your brain chemistry. That's not a metaphor — it's peer-reviewed neuroscience.
• Everyone deserves good sleep. Not just people who can afford a $200/year meditation app.
• Science > vibes. Every recommendation we make cites its source. If we can't back it up, we don't say it.
• Simple is powerful. You don't need 10,000 features. You need the right sound, right now.

The team

We're a small team of insomniacs, developers, and neuroscience enthusiasts who believe the world would be better if everyone slept a little more and stressed a little less. We're based everywhere and nowhere — distributed across time zones, connected by the shared experience of lying awake at 3AM.

What's next

We're building Softly into the most comprehensive ambient sound resource on the internet. Not just a player — a complete guide to using sound for better sleep, deeper focus, and genuine relaxation. Science-backed, beautifully designed, and always free to start.