Comparison

NIH Toolbox vs BrainTest

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

NIH Toolbox

This legacy app provides a comprehensive set of measures for cognitive, emotional, motor, and sensory function in individuals aged 3-85. Designed for research and clinical use, it offers streamlined workflows for over 50 tests. Note: this version will be retired in June 2028.

Highlights
  • Cognitive, emotional, motor, sensory function assessment
  • Ages 3-85
  • Research and clinical use
  • Streamlined workflows
  • Over 50 tests
  • Crosswalk among measures
Read full description

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THIS IS A LEGACY VERSION OF THE NIH TOOLBOX SYSTEM AND WILL BE RETIRED IN JUNE 2028. New users are strongly encouraged to download the NIH Toolbox V3 app instead of this legacy version: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nih-toolbox-v3/id1627119550. Users whose studies end after June 2028 must plan to transition to the NIH Toolbox V3 app before then. The annual subscription cost of this app will increase each year through its retirement. *** Important Hardware Note: iPads (2018 and newer models) with 9.7- to 11-inch screens are recommended. Data collected on iPads with 12.9" screens has not yet been validated. *** NIH Toolbox® is a multidimensional set of performance and person-report measures that assess cognitive, emotional, motor, and sensory function in people ages 3-85, designed for research and clinical use. The original NIH Toolbox was developed by more than 250 scientists over 6 years, and sponsored by the 15 institutes of the National Institutes for Health that make up the NIH Neuroscience Blueprint. This update to the NIH Toolbox includes streamlined workflows and user interface for 50+ tests, for stand-alone use or as part of a complete assessment battery. With the NIH Toolbox app, researchers can assess function using a common metric and can “crosswalk” among measures, essential to the process of pooling data and often necessary when a large and diverse sample is needed. NIH Toolbox does not require a subscription for many features; however, a subscription is required to record assessment responses and to view and export results. Subscriptions are offered for purchase within the app for use on up to 10 iPads. Purchased subscriptions will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. Cancellation of the current (paid) subscription is subject to Apple’s discretion. Users can enjoy a free trial period to explore the NIH Toolbox app, but data will not be saved and results will not be generated during the free trial. The free trial period will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription. Manage your subscription by going to your Apple Account Settings after purchase. All content needed to administer NIH Toolbox tests is available in the app, though some tests require additional hardware or materials. Please create a free account at www.NIHToolbox.org to access the Administration and Technical Manuals, supplemental materials, and list of publications. With the purchase of this app, you will immediately have access to tests in the Emotion, Motor, and Sensation domains. Tests in the Cognition domain require the successful completion of a separate approval on www.NIHToolbox.org. This approval process is included in the cost of the subscription; no additional purchase is necessary. Generally, approval will be granted to researchers and clinicians with the knowledge and training to use neuropsychological tests. Contact help@nihtoolbox.org for more details. Important information about the intended use and data security: * NIH Toolbox is not intended for use outside of research or clinical application. * Users control how data is managed. Data export via iCloud, email, and File Sharing can be enabled/disabled in the app. * If iCloud is enabled on your device, you may choose to upload data exports to a folder in iCloud Drive upon generation. Please refer to Apple for iCloud security and privacy details. * Data exports (.csv format) and assessment reports (.PDF format) may be emailed from NIH Toolbox. Secured email systems must be used to protect privacy. Help us make this product the best it can be. If you have suggestions for changes, please share them with us: help@nihtoolbox.org. To learn more about NIH Toolbox, visit www.NIHToolbox.org. NIH Toolbox Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions: https://nihtoolbox.org/privacy-policy/ https://nihtoolbox.org/terms-of-use/

About

BrainTest

This app offers a scientifically validated cognitive screening test to detect changes associated with Alzheimer's, Dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Get results explained by physicians in a private, at-home setting and share them with your doctor.

Highlights
  • Cognitive screening for Alzheimer's, Dementia, MCI
  • Physician-explained results videos
  • Self-administered at home
  • Baseline cognitive tracking
  • 10-15 minute test duration
  • HIPAA compliant and private scoring
Read full description

BrainTest® is scientifically validated to detect cognitive changes associated with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, & Mild Cognitive Impairment. Results videos feature Board Certified Physicians explaining your score in the comfort & privacy of your own home. LATEST NEWS: • BrainTest® featured on ABC News, NBC News, Fox News & Univision • Study presented at Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) validates BrainTest® performs similarly with neuropsychological batteries (MOCA, MMSE) as well as its Pen-and-Paper counterpart (SAGE) in detecting Mild Cognitive Impairment & Early Dementias, showing no scale bias (specificity 90%, sensitivity 71%) • BrainTest® Clinical Validation study published in peer-reviewed scientific journal (Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy) WHO SHOULD CONSIDER BRAINTEST? If you’re concerned about your thinking or memory, or want to establish a baseline from which to monitor your cognition, BrainTest® is the application for you. BrainTest is the same kind of screening test at doctor’s offices, but one that’s uniquely designed to screen for early changes in cognition associated with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, and Mild Cognitive Impairment. BrainTest can be taken in the privacy of your own home, anonymously scored at our centralized scoring core-lab, and (when you’re ready) shared with your doctor to help start the conversation. Results videos are delivered inside the application and feature an explanation of your score from a Board Certified Physician. KEY ADVANTAGES OF BRAINTEST Self-Administered – The same kind of screening test you’d receive at a doctor’s office, now available in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Baseline Report Card – Track your memory and thinking over time and use BrainTest as an early warning system for possible cognitive changes. Brevity – 10-15 minute BrainTest can deliver a snapshot of multiple cognitive domains (language, reasoning, orientation, memory, and executive function). HIPAA Compliant – BrainTest is HIPAA compliant and adheres to the strictest healthcare privacy laws in the United States. Private & Confidential – BrainTests are scored anonymously and confidentially. Your name is not visible to our scoring specialists or doctors. Meaning only YOU will know your final score Scientifically Validated – BrainTest study at ClinicalTrials.gov https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02544074 SCIENCE BEHIND BRAINTEST BrainTest is based on the Self-administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE), created by Dr. Douglas Scharre, Professor of Clinical Neurology and Psychiatry at The Ohio State University. RELATED SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS: https://alzres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13195-017-0269-3 https://doi.org/10.1097%2FWAD.0b013e3181b03277 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20220323 APPLE SPECIFIC TERMS: BrainTest is free to install and use, and requires an internet connection. BrainTest contains in-app purchases and certain parts of BrainTest are only accessible by purchasing a Scoring Plan. “30Day Free Trial Wellness Plans” are for free for 1 month (limit 1 per iTunes account), and billed at USD$ 24.99 after the trial. Subscriptions automatically renew every 6 months unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. iTunes accounts will be billed 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be self-managed and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after purchase. The 30-Day Free Trial is only available 1 time to each iTunes account. Privacy Policy: https://braintest.com/privacy/ and Terms of Service: https://braintest.com/terms/ Installing and using BrainTest is subject to the application Privacy Policy: https://braintest.com/privacy/ and Terms of Service: https://braintest.com/terms/

Screenshots

BrainTest4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NIH Toolbox at 100% against BrainTest's 36%. BrainTest's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (289 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. NIH Toolbox sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days and BrainTest sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per 6 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BrainTest holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainTest has 289 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of NIH Toolbox's written reviews are positive against 36% of BrainTest's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NIH Toolbox ships an update every 3 months, BrainTest every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on July 18, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
NIH Toolbox versus BrainTest: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNIH ToolboxBrainTest
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)4.6 (289 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better36.4% of reviews
Number of ratings1289 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.014 — better
Further details — not scored
Size714 MB13 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperGlinberg & Associates, Inc.Brain Test Inc.

Customer experience

NIH Toolbox

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

BrainTest

All ratings289 ratings
Positive91.0%
Neutral3.8%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive36.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative63.6%

Bugs and requests

NIH Toolbox

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

BrainTest

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • Inaccurate test results
  • Test doesn't upload
  • App doesn't work
  • App has glitches
  • App crashes
Show 3 more
  • App freezes
  • Notification issues
  • Subscription cancellation issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Consider pen input for drawing
  • Offer senior citizen discount
  • Improve cancellation process
  • Provide more tests per year

In-app purchases

5 purchases

NIH Toolbox

Subscriptions5
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments2 Months trial$499.991 Year
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments$499.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments1 Year trial$499.991 Year
  • NIH Toolbox Assessments$1299.991 Year
4 purchases

BrainTest

Subscriptions2
  • 30Day Free Trial Wellness Plan1 Month trial3 variants$24.996 Months
  • BrainTest Annual Wellness Plan$24.996 Months
One-time2
  • Free Single BrainTestFree
  • Single BrainTest Plan$39.99

Questions

Is NIH Toolbox free?
NIH Toolbox is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BrainTest free?
BrainTest is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NIH Toolbox or BrainTest?
BrainTest is rated higher. NIH Toolbox averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while BrainTest averages 4.6 from 289 ratings.
Do NIH Toolbox or BrainTest have ads?
Neither NIH Toolbox nor BrainTest shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NIH Toolbox or BrainTest?
NIH Toolbox ships an update every 3 months, and BrainTest every 2 months. Most recently, NIH Toolbox was updated on July 18, 2026 and BrainTest on September 22, 2026.

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