# TheBrain: Smart Notes & Links — user reviews > 158 indexed App Store user reviews of TheBrain by TheBrain Technologies LP, rated 4.80/5 from 150 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thebrain-smart-notes-and-links/id835873357/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thebrain-smart-notes-and-links/id835873357.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 136 · 4★ 9 · 3★ 1 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 4 ## What do users think of TheBrain? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Seamless navigation - 🔒 Secure cloud sync - 👍 Intuitive interface - 🚀 Powerful features - 👍 Excellent for knowledge management - 👍 Versatile for various use cases - 👍 Impressive functionality - 👍 Fluid and elegant - 👍 Comprehensive data storage **Cons** - 🐛 Crashes and freezes - 🐛 Buggy on iOS 9 - 💰 Expensive subscription - 🐛 Limited functionality on mobile - 🐛 Confusing UI and navigation - 🐛 Syncing issues - 🐛 Lack of offline mode **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes on iOS 9 - Inability to open brains - Freezing after each action - Login and account issues - Sync problems **Most requested features** - Offline mode - Improved mobile UI and UX - Better integration with other apps - More affordable pricing options - Enhanced search and filtering - Split-screen support on iPad - Handwriting and stylus support ## Newest reviews (15 of 158) ### 4/5 — Useful software but still buggy *2026-08-01, version 15.0.572* Useful software but still buggy ### 4/5 — A mobile brain .. a long time in the making *2024-11-13, version 14.9.1* By far the best mobile release of this platform. As the intro says this is the original digital brain having been around for decades, great on the desktop but for which the mobile companion as been a very poor cousin …. Up until now that is! Amazing functionality available, generally stable and pretty quick. Sync with desktop is solid and sharing info from other apps etc is much improved and less clunky. I hold off on one star purely due to some UI tweaks that I feel are needed to better optimise for small mobile screens but rate of tuning/enhancement at present is high so I don’t think it will be long before another star is added. Overall, Impressed I am! ### 5/5 — 25 years and still better *2024-11-05, version 14.9.1* I've used TheBrain on my PC for 25 years, and the mobile app many years too. It's my main web clipper and PKM; there's nothing better! ### 5/5 — Version 14 is a matured and welcome winner *2024-11-05, version 14.9.1* The iOS version of TheBrain used to be basic and reasonably useable version of the desktop app. Glad to have it though not overly excited by it. … but … no longer! This latest version delivers on the promise of bringing a high function brain to iOS. I’m genuinely excited to see this evolutionary jump. The interface overhaul, integration of AI and increase in functionality means I’ll now be reaching for an iOS device as a new habit. ### 5/5 — My daily driver *2024-10-29, version 14.9* I use TheBrain app on a daily basis. In fact, it’s the only app on my iPhone that stands alone - not grouped in a folder. Quick notes on any topic. Sending web pages and images through BrainBox. Staying in sync with my laptop. Amazing! I couldn’t function without it!! ### 5/5 — Great work! *2024-10-27, version 14.9* TheBrain developer did great job of updating the IOS version! Nice work! Lots of new features. ### 5/5 — Amazing App!!!! *2024-10-26* TheBrain helps me see and connect my ideas like nothing else. It’s become a lifesaver for keeping projects and random thoughts organized in one place! **Developer response:** Thank you. Glad you are enjoying it. ### 5/5 — Review has Changed with Update *2024-10-25* Review has changed. I have registered a one-star review. This is purely a punitive marking, as they have sacrificed pleasant GUI for feature bloat. My review will change back when they reinstate a pleasant GUI. ### 5/5 — Excellent upgrade *2024-10-25, version 14.9* Great job Harlan and Brain Team. Started using the Brain to replace Goldmine, Ecco Pro personal information managers about 20 years ago. Used the Brain at Verizon/GTE and during my call up to active US Army for 8 years. Now retired I use The Brain to hold information for building hot rods, family, pets, and Jesus Christ my Savior. ### 5/5 — Amazing overhaul *2024-10-24* Before, TheBrain on mobile was good but not great. With this new overhaul, it has become far more useful, with several features that were not available before on mobile, now made available and a far more modern and intuitive user interface. I highly recommend it for those who want productivity on the go. **Developer response:** 😎 ### 3/5 — Useful app on desktop .. getting there on iOS *2024-08-12* This replaces my previous review that covered various releases as the iOS app developed over a long time period, due to significant progress TheBrain is easily at its best on the desktop where I find a fluid fast and capable (if rather costly) application. (In this respect t I cannot understand why the current world of PKM hype the brain does not get more exposure!) The iOS and iPad apps are now pretty usable and do permit a visual knowledge base exploration on small screens in a way that most other apps cannot. At long last the app is smooth, fluid and functional and fires up quickly (much much faster than the sloth that is obsidian). The use of types, tags, full formatting, zooming etc are all available with a fairly good search function also With all this I still find I do not use it very often …. Why? I need to be able to quick capture a note direct from my mind to the app with a one/two click process. Currently the process is poor. I also greatly value the idea of daily notes but unfortunately in thebrain there is no clean way to do this. (A kludge is possible) I also find using the note editor on iOS sometimes clunky. Finally the brainbox idea no longer works on iOS in terms of using the usual iOS share function. So … the brain is a great app on macOS but I it needs a serious UI / workflow refresh and bring it into current day for mobile usecases. Sometimes it just feels a little like the approach is ‘build it and they will come’. At this price point there are now many alternatives and sadly I continue after many years to find myself drifting away ### 3/5 — Lack of AI in Mobile Versions Affects Usability *2024-07-25, version 13.0.4* I have been a loyal user of TheBrain since its initial release. Transitioning from the desktop to my iPad Pro has been a significant part of my workflow. However, the absence of AI features in the mobile versions, especially when other mind mapping apps have integrated such functionality, has been disappointing. This gap has seriously impacted my expectations and usability. For the first time, I am considering switching to a different app that better meets my needs. Despite this, I will continue to monitor your progress, hoping that TheBrain will once again lead the market with the best features available. --- Thank you for considering my feedback. ### 5/5 — Temp Review - Powerful & Unique - Best Kept Secret - A True Gem *2024-04-21, version 13.0.4* Digging through the reviews has sparked an urge to pass along my thoughts until I’m ready for a proper review. 1. There isn’t very many ratings or reviews. A lot of information in the reviews are 5 years or so old. 2. This is a very unique and powerful software. For reasons I have yet to discover, it hasn’t reached this wild meteoric rise that it should. Something seems to be holding it back. 3. If you have stumbled on this page and are looking through reviews to decide if you should try this app then I suggest you do research outside of the reviews, as there is so much to explore and yes you should definitely try it out for yourself but make sure you really explore the features it is amazing but some folks never realize it’s full power because they don’t understand how much it can do. I suggest doing searches and find out what other’s workflow is, find a group in discord or something and start there. 4. Developers; First, In would would like to thank you for such an amazing gift of technology and software that allows us to map out and organize our thoughts in a way that is not available anywhere else. Thank you for your hard work and your dedication and sacrifices. Most people are not understanding or give thought to your hard work. If you don’t tell your story someone else will, or they will make one up for you. In my experience, landing on this product description page provided zero motivation, inspiration or imagination as to what I could do with this app and if I should get this app. As a busy consumer rushing around and finding this app I need to see a clear bullet point of powerful features and a few features that are not often discussed or wildly known or used. I need to know upfront what happens when I download the app, what info is needed, why and any information that points to me being able to use it anonymously or close to it, that is my ultimate deciding factor and I want it in the description not in the assigned data collection areas, they are to vague and we don’t trust them. We need assurances to how you handle our data, what you collect, is it easy for me to delete everything without calling, emailing or putting in a ticket. The App page should be Powerful, exciting and full of wonder and confidence that this app will solve my problems and make everything better. Be upfront about how insanely powerful it is when you have the desktop, mobile app and cloud services. I’ll forgive the need to integrate and use a desktop or cloud if it’s upfront. I’ll even use it as an excuse to buy a desktop or laptop just for this if I need. Show us your passion. Invite us to a community. (If you build it we will come) Let us help you drive innovation through community engagement and events. Have thick skin and focus on building an engaging community and soon you will have dedicated members who will kick in like an immune system when members are devaluing the community keep the productive positive vibe going allowing all to freely discuss and exchange ideas. Reader, did you know you can built out a brain project and send it to someone? If you are creative enough you can monetize a fully fleshed out brain that provides value in a 3D way for roadmaps, project milestones, how to’s etc, the possibilities are endless. Having said that, I purpose to the wonderful development team to start building in integrations for social media in ways never seen before allowing adopters of this to flourish financially in ways only THE BRAIN can do. Developers; Thank you again for your passion and dedication to this product. It is my favorite App and concept. It embodies the external tools needed for me to plot, save, describe and connect the dots in all my online ventures for research and other projects. Warmest Regards, Genetixxx ### 5/5 — Gone back and forth. *2024-02-13, version 13.0.3* I use it then set it aside. Now, with AI enhancement, methinks this will be a hit. ### 3/5 — It would have gotten 5 stars if.. *2024-01-16, version 13.0.3* …it had the following: 1. More free templates, yes I am a free user, not because I do not want to pay for it, but due to financial constraints, everyone and their brother charges monthly subscriptions, they all add up…especially when starting a business after being unemployed for over a year. 2. Integrations…lack there off, integrate with Notion, DayOne, Dulingo, Kindle, Audible, Amazon, Dulingo, higher educational platforms, Zoom, Google Pay, Apple Pay…to truly be “The Brain”, has to integrate with other Apps seamlessly without compromising data security and at an affordable rate. 3. Easily exportable to MS Word, Google Docs, spreadsheets, etc. 4. AI app integrations. As it stands, there is no way, this app is “The Brain”, it’s half a brain at best without the above. Which is a real shame as I love the App, each time I find myself using it here and there, for mapping some thoughts out, but then heavily using Notion, Notability (takes handwritten notes with a stylus with my handwriting - as illegible as it may be), Notepad for recording and transcribing, Zotero for book marks and files, Box, and DayOne for journaling. All of which are not integrated without paying for Zappier or other similar services. There is so much potential for this app, if they would be more focused on truly being “the brain”, gain market share at a nominal cost, then include a teemed pricing structure that is still affordable…I have more on that but that comes with a consulting fee…heck I need to make money too, not just give free advice, to only turn around and have to pay a subscription fee for it. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — The Brain is Dead *2026-04-23, version 14.9.9* Download and tried to create account t to no avail ### 1/5 — Not intuitive *2026-01-08, version 14.9.9* Not intuitive. Not clear at the outset what it is for. Verification of account email didn't arrive after their message telling me to check my email - but using that email address I can log in! ### 1/5 — Complicated, barely any documentation, absurdly priced *2025-10-26, version 14.9.9* All of the above. This thing is a nightmare. It's a shame because on paper feature wise it sounds great. Just priced absurdly and UX is overly complicated. ### 1/5 — Too slow, too expensive *2025-05-25, version 14.9.8* The response slows down dramatically for a large number of entries. Around 200 bullet points (and the odd note or attachment) and the speed drops off a lot. Also the time to link a lot of entries is very high. Eg. It would be good to be able to select a group of items and link them to one thought or formatting style. The AI facility is interesting (eg get an instant write up of a subject) so the app may be worthwhile for a small group of thoughts with some linked AI information. But that would be like having a small brain! The cost of £200 per year is ridiculous. ### 1/5 — Can I have a Rollback until a tested major version? *2024-11-02* * Is there an instruction manual for this version jump? This version is not intuitive. * Respect for your previous versions, but please test your new software: * No possibility to connect one node to another via drag & drop * Editing notes produces confused texts * Duplicate words * pasted text is not displayed * the previous version could do less, but was * more efficient * more reliable * more stable **Developer response:** The ability to connect via drag and drop has been restored in 14.9.1, which just came out today. This version also fixes several bugs and improves stability. Yes, we are working on new documentation and tutorials. Thanks for your support. ### 1/5 — Brain box *2023-12-21, version 13.0.3* Still does not work!! I have not been able to use brain on my I-pad, despite many emails still no feedback, are you to busy on your AI tool? ### 1/5 — Can’t get past the first page *2023-03-01, version 13.0.2* I downloaded the app and when I opened it, got a page to input a username and password. No explanation at all so I made up a username and a password and it told me the combo was invalid. I deleted the app. ### 1/5 — No way to sign up *2022-03-24, version 11.0.10* There’s no way to sign up in the app. No website to go to. Come on now. ### 1/5 — IOS version limited *2022-03-22, version 11.0.10* Found out from online Chat with their Support that there is no ability to add new Tags in the IOS (ex: iPhone, iPad Pro) version. That means if you get a brainstorm idea away from your Macbook and create a new Brain on your device, you’re stuck with no Tags, which are essential. Need to run back Home or Office to your Macbook and add them and then do a sync to your IOS device. ### 1/5 — I can’t register *2021-10-24* I uploaded this app, good feedback from a friend but i can’t register. The only thing the app asks are my login & password. So i can’t use it… 😕 **Developer response:** Sorry about that. We have added signup capabilities to the app. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Best Mind mapping software out there *2026-08-15, version 15.0.613* Been using TheBrain for years and it’s the best app I have on my iPad and iPhone. I collect everything on this. ### 5/5 — The best *2025-09-30, version 14.9.9* This is an extraordinary app, which is unbelievably well thought through and functional. It actually works in a way that is both simple and intuitive enough but also has extraordinary depth and detail. I use it every day and can’t praise it highly enough. ### 5/5 — 10 years later *2025-07-06, version 14.9.8* Life without the Brain ### 5/5 — La meilleure et la plus belle *2025-05-11, version 14.9.7* J'utilisais déjà PersonalBrain sur Mac des années avant son arrivée sur l'Appstore. La version iOS TheBrain me permet d'en profiter encore davantage. Interface magnifique, mouvements fluides et élégants, peut contenir une quantité phénoménale de données, c'est la meilleure application du genre sur l'Appstore. ### 5/5 — A mobile brain .. a long time in the making *2025-04-08, version 14.9.6* By far the best mobile release of this platform. As the intro says this is the original digital brain having been around for decades, great on the desktop but for which the mobile companion as been a very poor cousin …. Up until now that is! Amazing functionality available, generally stable and pretty quick. Sync with desktop is solid and sharing info from other apps etc is much improved and less clunky. I had held off 1* as there were a lot of rough edges and although there are still things that need a little work the pace of change over the last few weeks and genuinely meaningful improvements mean it would be unfair not to go 4* -> 5* as I am sure all is going to iron out and the team are clearly working hard and communicate well re feedback. Overall, Impressed I still am! ### 5/5 — The best MindMaping & thinking app, period. *2025-03-21, version 14.9.2* Just gets better and better. I bought a new iMac simply to use this app - I put everything into it ### 5/5 — 3D mind mapping *2025-01-13, version 14.9.2* GENIUS!!! ### 5/5 — Unique KB *2024-12-07* For notes, links but above all for knowledge base and brain, it is a terrific apps. I use it in particular to learn several languages, Chinese, Spanish, interleaving characters via their keys (Chinese) and sentences **Developer response:** Great to hear. Thanks for the review. ### 5/5 — My Second Brain *2024-12-03, version 14.9.1* This software is a league above all the rest. I capture thoughts, files and documents in an easy and effortless way using this system. Then I create links to aid memory in all areas of my life-work and leisure. The new AI feature is brilliant. Congratulations to Harlan Hugh and the Brain Technologies team! Chris Collcutt ### 5/5 — Associative Organization *2024-11-11* TheBrain is the only way to organize everything the way you think. The visual network makes it so natural. If you need to keep track of a lot of stuff and want to give your organic brain a break this is the solution. Finally the power of the macOS and Windows version has arrived on iPhone. Such a breakthrough. --- *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 2026-08-30.*