# NIH Toolbox vs BrainTest

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | NIH Toolbox | BrainTest |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nih-toolbox/id1002228307/reviews) | **[4.6 (289 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/braintest/id1030864182/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **289** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 36.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 714 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Glinberg & Associates, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/981361720) | [Brain Test Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1030864181) |

## What reviewers say

### NIH Toolbox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nih-toolbox/id1002228307)

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $0.99 | per 7 days |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $499.99 | per year |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $499.99 | per year |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $499.99 | per year |
| NIH Toolbox Assessments | $1299.99 | per year |


### BrainTest

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/braintest/id1030864182)

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 30Day Free Trial Wellness Plan | $24.99 | per 6 months |
| BrainTest Annual Wellness Plan | $24.99 | per 6 months |
| Free Single BrainTest | Free | one-time |
| Single BrainTest Plan | $39.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Hope for confirmed analysis
- 💡 Interesting and informative
- 👍 Easy to download and follow
- 💡 Can be a helpful tool
- 💡 Reassuring and restores confidence

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Misleading in-app purchase
- 💸 Expensive subscription
- 💸 Rip off
- 💸 Not free
- 💸 Excessive price for limited tests

**Reported bugs**

- Inaccurate test results
- Test doesn't upload
- App doesn't work
- App has glitches
- App crashes

**Requested features**

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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*