Comparison

Renew Support vs tVNS Research

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

Head to head
About

Renew Support

This app allows trusted individuals to support loved ones recovering from posttraumatic stress. It provides notifications on progress, a messaging function for encouragement, and educational resources about trauma.

Highlights
  • Support loved ones in PTSD recovery
  • Receive progress notifications
  • Send encouragement messages
  • Access trauma information and tips
  • Stay updated on user activity
Features
Read full description

Renew Support is a companion app to Renew, which is a self-guided program to help people recover from posttraumatic stress. Renew helps people who have experienced trauma practice evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy skills that can reduce the symptoms of posttraumatic stress and help people get back to living a full life. In Renew, points are earned for completing activities designed to decrease avoidance of safe situations, process trauma memories, and boost positive moods. Recovering from trauma can be challenging, and research has shown that having support from trusted family or friends can help with recovery. If someone you care about has sent you an invitation to download Renew support, they have added you to their Renew Support team. This means that they are counting on you to help support them as they work through the Renew program. Renew Support makes it easy to show your support and encouragement. You’ll receive notifications about the points that are earned in Renew as the person you care about works on their recovery. You’ll also be notified if the person using Renew hasn’t logged into the program in a while. You can reply to Renew notifications to send your congratulations, tell them to keep up the good work, or even give them the little nudge they need through Renew Support’s messaging function. Renew Support also includes information about trauma reactions and helpful tips based on the latest research in trauma and posttraumatic stress to help you better understand how to best help your loved one.

About

tVNS Research

Read full description

tVNS® Research allows you to: - Monitor the state of your tVNS® R device - Update the RTC time for accurate logging of treatments - Export the treatment logs saved in the device as a CSV file for analysis. - Change all programmable stimulation parameters, such as frequency, intensity, duration, and many others. tVNS® Research has a simple user interface that is separated into 3 tabs. In the “Connect” tab, you can: - Scan for tVNS® nextGen devices - Connect and bond with tVNS® nextGen devices - Monitor the state of your device and interact with the device In the “Current Config” tab, you can: - Examine the currently specified stimulation parameters In the “Program” tab, you can: - Easily program new treatment parameters onto any tVNS® R device within the specified ranges. If you require support in your use of tVNS® Research, please contact support@t-vns.com for assistance. Disclaimer: This app is intended for investigational use only.

Screenshots

Renew Support4 screens
tVNS Research4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: tVNS Research at every 3 weeks against Renew Support's every 7 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Renew Support ships an update every 7 months, tVNS Research every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Renew Support versus tVNS Research: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRenew SupporttVNS Research
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS11.011.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB34 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperPalo Alto Veterans Institute for ResearchtVNS Technologies GmbH

In-app purchases

None

Renew Support

No in-app purchases

None

tVNS Research

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Renew Support free?
Renew Support is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is tVNS Research free?
tVNS Research is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Renew Support or tVNS Research have ads?
Neither Renew Support nor tVNS Research shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Renew Support or tVNS Research?
Renew Support ships an update every 7 months, and tVNS Research every 3 weeks. Most recently, Renew Support was updated on November 2, 2026 and tVNS Research on November 4, 2026.

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