# N-Back Challenge — user reviews > 93 indexed App Store user reviews of N by Rivuspurus, rated 4.70/5 from 192 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/n-back-challenge/id1524599079/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/n-back-challenge/id1524599079.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 167 · 4★ 15 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 7 ## What do users think of N? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🧠 Effective working memory improvement - 🎮 Excellent gamification and motivation system - 💰 Free to use with affordable payment options - 🎨 Clean, polished, intuitive user interface - 📚 Scientifically-backed with educational articles - 🎯 No ads or distracting interruptions - 🔊 Multiple voice options for letter pronunciation - 📊 Detailed progress tracking and statistics - ⚡ Optimal pacing between sequences - ❤️ Developer focus on user benefit over profit **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent mid-session freezes and crashes - 🔊 Unclear letter pronunciation (some letters sound similar) - 💳 Controversial 'coffee' paywall for missed days - 🔌 Requires internet connection (not offline compatible) - ⚠️ Inconsistent instant feedback on answers - 🔄 Sync issues between devices - ⏱️ Occasional sound generation failures - 🎮 Steep learning curve for new users - 🔘 No penalty for incorrect clicks - ⚡ App crashes on startup sometimes **Commonly reported bugs** - Mid-session freezing and soft locks (most common) - Sound not generating for letters during gameplay - Buttons greyed out preventing interaction - App crashes when accessing stats - Double coffee charge on streak breaks - Sound disabled when button pressed simultaneously with letter - App crashes on startup - Sync failures between iPad and iPhone - Game freezing on specific levels (Level 2, 4) - Countdown ends but first tile/letter doesn't appear **Most requested features** - Single n-back and quad n-back modes - Lock screen widgets for streak reminders - Color-position dual n-back mode - More granular settings (interference, probability, trial count) - Penalty system for incorrect answers - Game Center leaderboard integration - iPad and desktop versions with synced accounts - Offline gameplay capability - Data export for personal analysis - Extended play duration at higher levels ## Newest reviews (14 of 93) ### 4/5 — Fun game, dubious benefits *2026-04-08, version 1.13.3* Been playing it every day for the last two months. Just hit my 1000th round. I really enjoy the game. It’s the right amount challenge where you can get better at it the more you play it. I am skeptical that my IQ has gone up at all. And I’ve not noticed any memory or intelligence benefits in general. But none of that is why I keep playing it. When I play it, I give it my full attention. I get locked in. Focusing on a skill I can see noticeable improvement in is super satisfying. Especially for my ADHD-diagnosed brain. ### 5/5 — Great app *2026-01-08, version 1.13.2* I normally don’t take the time to write these but I think this app deserves a good review. It really does increase IQ. I feel more conscious of my time and aware of things going on in my life. It’s a difficult challenge but that’s the point! ### 5/5 — Beautifully Crafted App *2026-01-05, version 1.13.2* This is a really well made app. It manages to make you want to come back to play every day, and that’s impressive considering how unpleasant n-back is. The design is elegant, the gamification is spot on, and the complementary articles are excellent and well timed. I don’t usually write reviews but the quality of this app inspired me to do so, hats off to the devs. ### 5/5 — So hard but so worth it *2025-12-31, version 1.13.2* I heard about this challenge almost two weeks ago now on YouTube while watching a video on reversing the negative effects of social media usage, and decided to take the plunge. My memory was not the best prior to doing this daily, which I believe to be due to my heavy reliance on social media and the abundance of information I would read, but not store in my brain. I remember when I first tried this app two weeks ago, level 3 felt so difficult and near impossible to do, but looking back now I have reached level 7, and the former challenge of level 3 is now a piece of cake. Remembering small things throughout my daily life has always been a bit of a challenge. But honestly speaking I can set internal reminders and actually remember them now without needing to write them down, like unplugging my laptop after a few hours so it doesn’t overcharge, or remembering to give somebody something the next day after they asked me the prior night. With all the scientific research and effort put into this, combined with the user friendly experience this app provides through its coffee system, I can’t recommend it enough. Try it for a week, and you’ll see massive changes to your cognitive ability ### 5/5 — This is the Best. *2025-12-25, version 1.13.2* This is the perfect N-Back app for anyone who seriously wants to start/try the N-Back challenge. Tracks how you do, presents it in a graph, has a number of custom settings, provides articles to read, has a clever incentive system, and has an option to pay to support the developers to gain access to Leaderboards to see how you are doing compared to others, which is great for people who are competitively motivated. Thank you for making this app! I have been talking about it to everyone I know 😂 ### 5/5 — Absolutely amazing app *2025-12-14, version 1.12.0* Actually made this game sorta fun. One crucial flaw - no penalty for clicking wrong. But very very satisfying and visually appealing. Maybe instead of a penalty you can just have a thing that states how many incorrect clicks the person took. Y’all made a fire app ### 4/5 — New bugs in latest update *2025-12-11, version 1.12.0* Last update introduced a bug where pressing a button at the same time the next letter is read would disable sound for that letter. Stats are also inaccessible. Clicking the icon crashes the app ### 5/5 — Incredible game *2025-12-08, version 1.12.0* This game has even greater potential if the developers added some kind of unlock feature in Game Center to encourage higher levels and more leaderboard stats in Game Center would be amazing I would pay monthly ### 3/5 — Sound is not clear *2025-11-12, version 1.11.0* Not sure about the clarity of the sounds . Sometimes C sounds like T ### 5/5 — Very tough, but tough is good for your brain *2025-10-23, version 1.11.0* Scientific and encouraging. Combining the precise science with good gamification and a wonderful blog. Kudos to this team of dedicated researchers and developers who want to make the world a better place and fight the spread of cognitive decline. ❤️ ### 5/5 — App suddenly stopped working *2025-09-28, version 1.11.0* I’ve been loving this app, especially after changing the default voice. However today in my 10th day, the app stopped working, when I try to play a round, the buttons are greyed out so I can’t select anything. Also the squares and audio stopped showing up and playing. Please fix this my streak is in danger! ### 5/5 — Necessary *2025-09-23, version 1.11.0* Extremely challenging and you feel the results gradually impacting your life ### 3/5 — Many of the letters sound the same *2025-09-19, version 1.11.0* This makes it harder than it should be, please improve the quality of the audio recordings for each letter ### 5/5 — I feel a difference *2025-08-25, version 1.11.0* Improving my focus with 20 minutes of daily n back training ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Stuck behind a paywall *2026-04-04, version 1.13.3* I am stuck behind the “0.00$ coffee” paywall. I dont have “coffees” anymore so the game tells me that i can purchase coffee for free. But when i click to buy one, it wants payment. I thought it will be fixed if i wait some days but it never fixes. ### 1/5 — Lies about percentage to make you feel better *2026-03-10, version 1.13.3* I don’t believe the results. It says you get more right than you actually do. ### 1/5 — money grab *2026-01-07, version 1.13.2* This game is very simple to design and implement inside an app, and the concept of the game predates phones. This publisher prevents you from playing if you miss a day, and requires that you pay to re-enable access. Stupid gamification money grab that does nobody any good. ### 1/5 — No instance feedback. I know I am getting it right and it insists I didn’t. *2025-12-21, version 1.13.1* Beta version at best. ### 1/5 — No thanks *2025-12-07, version 1.12.0* Miss me with the coffee extortion. ### 1/5 — Cash grab *2025-08-08, version 1.10.0* Cash grab cause you have a life and other duties will ask for 2.59$ cause you missed a session ### 1/5 — Being asked to pay twice *2025-05-15, version 1.9.0* I previously bought this app. Now I am being asked to pay a subscription. Seems dodgy. ### 1/5 — Beautiful app killed by a stupid pricing model *2025-01-06, version 1.8.3* Hands down the worst way I’ve ever seen an app monetized. I wonder what % of people open this app once and never return ### 1/5 — Worthless *2024-08-16, version 1.6.0* The app doesn't work half the time. And so when I have to skip a day because the app doesn't work, they want me to buy them a coffee even though I paid $7.99 for a lifetime of skipped days ### 2/5 — Good design unbearable pronunciation *2025-08-25, version 1.11.0* The pronunciation of the letters is unfathomably bad. I thought it was using a non-English character initially. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Alhamdulillah *2026-08-02, version 1.13.3* Praise be to Allah for this iq raised I have gotten much smarter and no pay ### 5/5 — Simple but effective *2026-07-20, version 1.13.3* Have been using this app for years now. It’s very simple but it does a great job presenting Dual N Back. I use it every day to test my mental acuity. ### 5/5 — My performance improved a lot! *2026-06-23, version 1.13.3* At first, it was really challenging to complete even 2-back, but after 10 days continuous training, I can steadily tackle 6-back. I’m shocked by the progress myself. I think my trick is to keep a shelf in my brain, it has 2 layers, you can put 3 items on each layer in the case of 3-back. You should put new items in new layers while comparing it to the upper layer, figuring whether it’s position or sound is the same. ### 5/5 — Forensic Utility for High-Stakes Operations *2026-04-18, version 1.13.3* Most users view Dual N-Back as a game, for a Sovereign Operator, it is a Clinical Calibration Tool. I am currently at Level 7, utilizing this training to manage a high leverage trading environment while navigating complex structural transitions. The benefit isn't just 'memory' it is the expansion of Working RAM. It allows for the decoupling of emotional noise from strategic execution. I have found that as my N-Back level increases, my execution becomes automated. I no longer narrate my life, I execute it. Whether it’s auditing a CPG brand’s architecture, or maintaining a trade setup during personal volatility, the N-Back provides the cognitive resolution to see through the world in a different lens. ### 5/5 — Great app *2026-03-29, version 1.13.3* This app is great. I love everything about it. The streaks, the pricing model, the intermittent articles. It like uses dopamine to make you smarter instead of dumb! I’ve also been noticing that my memory has gotten a lot better and I find it easy to listen to audiobooks because I can zone out, but when I zone back in, I will just naturally remember that like 5-7 seconds without having to go back. It’s really great! ### 5/5 — Cool stuff *2026-02-05, version 1.13.3* It’s good mental exercise. You may have to google the rules of the game to get it but once you get it it’s fine. I also like the “free as long as you’re using it” model, very cool and puts a little fire under my butt to keep up the sessions. ### 5/5 — One of the best dual-n-back apps *2026-01-29, version 1.13.3* The makers of this app know how to motivate users to come back. The app is free to use, but if you regularly miss a session during the first twenty days, they ask for the cost of a cheap coffee for you to continue playing. The pace of the game is another bonus - the pause between each square/sound and the next is just enough to help you remember the sequence so far, but not too long that you forget it. A lot of other apps move though the sequence during an n-back session too quickly. All round, a great app for those looking to improve working memory. Though it’s challenging, stick with it, and you’ll slowly notice improvements. ### 5/5 — Fantastic App *2026-01-15, version 1.13.2* I really feel like the developers have the true interest of the users at heart. No ads, no interruptions, easy user interface, and challenges that help you develop habits. If you are interested in truly working on your focus, I’d highly recommend this app. ### 5/5 — Motivational, fun, polished *2026-01-12, version 1.13.2* The best dual n back app I’ve found so far, really like the 20 day challenge and the encouragement and info the app gives you is excellent. ### 5/5 — Fantastic Design! *2026-01-09, version 1.13.2* I was directed to try Dual N-back, and I’ve already been seeing the benefits. This app in particular is SO good at encouraging you to continue, and the companion articles on best approaches, applications and the scientific studies on Dual N-Back are really engaging. Their way of gamifying and challenging the user while maintaining their academic integrity is impressive. I’ve never once left an app review in my life, but this one deserves it. Excellent work! --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-11.*