Comparison

N vs Dual N

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

Head to head
About

N

This app offers a scientifically validated cognitive training program designed to enhance intelligence. It uses the dual n-back method to improve learning, reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Track progress, compete with friends, and customize your experience to boost cognitive abilities.

Highlights
  • Dual n-back cognitive training
  • IQ enhancement
  • Progress tracking and streaks
  • Social competition and leaderboards
  • Customizable voices and settings
  • Weekly habit option
Read full description

The N-Back Challenge provides a special type of cognitive training, “dual n-back,” that helps you raise your IQ in just a few minutes per day. Sounds implausible? The N-Back Challenge is based on a decade’s worth of scientific studies, published in top peer-reviewed journals, including Nature. (For more details, see https://nbackchallenge.com/science.) The catch? It’s no fun at all! Indeed, the training is designed to be maximally exhausting. If you are determined enough to make it through 20 sessions, however, science suggests that you stand to reap powerful benefits. Intelligence is the ultimate cognitive ability: You need it to learn, reason, solve novel problems, and see connections. Higher IQs have been linked to improved academic achievement, professional success, and even better health. Since it will take you just 7 hours, in total, to complete the N-Back Challenge, not much more than the length of a single school day, it may prove to be the best investment of time you’ve ever made! ------------------------------ SCIENTIFICALLY SOUND: Not only has the dual n-back paradigm been validated in top peer-reviewed journals, but our two founders – both PhDs, one with a focus on neuroscience, the other with a focus on higher education – have taken particular care to thoroughly align the app with the prevailing scientific research. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: In order to help you stay motivated, the N-Back Challenge allows you to visually monitor your progress over time, build up “streaks,” and compare yourself against other learners across various stats. COMPETE AGAINST YOUR FRIENDS: Perhaps the most powerful way of making sure you remain motivated to complete the Challenge is to tackle it together with friends or colleagues. To make it more fun, we’ve provided leaderboards that allow you to compete based on who has completed the most sessions, racked up the longest streak, and more. CUSTOMIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE: The N-Back Challenge allows you to choose between different voices across multiple languages, turn on notifications, and customize their timing and style. There are advanced settings for turning on instant button feedback, controlling the n-back level, and tweaking the game speed. And if you are too busy to complete one session every day, you may switch to the Weekly Habit, which gives you a full week to complete each session. ------------------------------ ARE YOU… … A PARENT? Give your children an edge at school or university by nudging them to complete the N-Back Challenge. Indeed, why not tackle the Challenge together as a family? … A GRANDCHILD? Help your grandparents (and other older relatives) fight cognitive decline by introducing them to dual n-back. (See https://nbackchallenge.com/decline.) … A KNOWLEDGE WORKER? Share the N-Back Challenge with your HR department. Dual n-back may well be the single most cost-effective way of making knowledge workers more productive. (See https://nbackchallenge.com/work.) … A TEACHER? Use dual n-back to enhance students' problem-solving skills. You can have a big impact, with a minimal investment of time! (See https://nbackchallenge.com/class.) ------------------------------ HOW IT WORKS: The N-Back Challenge is free as long as you stick to the program. When you miss or delay a session, we ask you to support us with a “coffee,” which you can buy in-app or earn — for example, by using the Share link in the Settings to invite friends. (Each of you will receive a free coffee.) You can also unlock unlimited free breaks by becoming a premium subscriber. CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Do you have any questions or suggestions? Like to say hello? We’re happy to hear from you! Just drop us a note at support@nbackchallenge.com. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: To learn more about dual n-back and the N-Back Challenge, browse our repository of articles at https://nbackchallenge.com/articles. Privacy Policy: https://nbackchallenge.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://nbackchallenge.com/terms-of-use

About

Dual N

This app offers brain-training exercises to enhance working memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills. It features multiple N-back modes, progress tracking, and customizable sessions in a user-friendly interface.

Highlights
  • Dual, Triple & Quad N-Back modes
  • Cognitive performance enhancement
  • Progress tracking and statistics
  • Customizable training sessions
  • User-friendly interface
Read full description

Dual N-Back, Triple N-Back, or go Quad N-Back for extreme challenge. Elevate your cognitive performance with N Back Extreme – the ultimate brain-training app designed to enhance your working memory. Whether you’re looking to Boost your concentration, Improve your problem-solving skills, or just Challenge your mind, N Back Extreme offers a fun and engaging way to reach your goals. Key Features: Multiple Modes: Choose from dual, triple, or quad n-back challenges that adjust to your skill level and push your memory to new limits. Progress Tracking: Stay motivated by viewing detailed statistics of your progress. Monitor your performance over time and watch your cognitive skills improve. Customisable Sessions: Tailor your training sessions to suit your pace and preferences. User-Friendly Interface: Enjoy a sleek and intuitive design that makes training both effective and fun. Take on the challenge and unlock your brain’s potential with N Back Extreme. Perfect for casual N Backers, students, and anyone interested in mental fitness. Download now and start your journey to a sharper, more focused mind! Experience the extreme in brain training—one session at a time. Terms of use: https://www.arcaneorbit.com/nbackextreme/terms.md Privacy Policy: https://www.arcaneorbit.com/nbackextreme/privacy.md

Screenshots

N4 screens
Dual N4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Dual N at every 6 days against N's monthly. N's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (240 vs 12). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. N sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Dual N sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

N holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: N has 240 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of N's written reviews are positive against 67% of Dual N's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

N ships an update monthly, Dual N every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
N versus Dual N: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNDual N
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (240 ratings) — better4.4 (12 ratings)
Positive reviews82.8% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings240 — better12
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB68 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperRivuspurusJatin Thakur

Customer experience

N

All ratings239 ratings
Positive93.7%
Neutral0.4%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews93 reviews
Positive82.8%
Neutral3.2%
Negative14.0%

Dual N

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

N

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • 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
Show 5 more
  • 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

Requested features

10 requests
  • 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
Show 5 more
  • 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

Dual N

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

N

Subscriptions2
  • Premium (monthly)$8.991 Month
  • Premium (annual)$54.991 Year
One-time4
  • 1 cup of coffee$1.99
  • 4 cups of coffee$5.99
  • 7 cups of coffee$8.99
Show 1 more
  • 10 cups of coffee$10.99
4 purchases

Dual N

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly$1.991 Month
  • N Back Extreme Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
  • Six Months2 variants$4.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • N Back Extreme Yearly Subscription$29.991 Year

Questions

Is N free?
N is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Dual N free?
Dual N is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, N or Dual N?
N is rated higher. N averages 4.7 out of 5 from 240 ratings, while Dual N averages 4.4 from 12 ratings.
Do N or Dual N have ads?
Neither N nor Dual N shows ads.
Which is updated more often, N or Dual N?
N ships an update monthly, and Dual N every 6 days. Most recently, N was updated on November 3, 2026 and Dual N on October 30, 2026.

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