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

Features
Read full description

Designed for structured cognitive training, Dual N-Back challenges your working memory daily and helps you build sustained focus over time Dual N-Back is one of the few cognitive tasks studied in academic research with evidence suggesting improvements in working memory and fluid intelligence when practiced consistently. This app gives you a precise, distraction-free training environment plus the analytics you need to measure real progress. What you’ll get - Adaptive Dual (visual + audio) and extended modes, the app automatically raises N-level as you improve. - Session metrics: N-level, Accuracy (%), Mean Reaction Time (ms), track what's changing, not just how you feel. - Long-term charts & heat map (Premium): accuracy trends, reaction time improvements, N-level distribution and calendar streaks. - Guided Plans: 4-Week Boost, Daily Micro-Sessions, and Research-Mode for lab-style protocols. - Clean, low-distraction UI (Dark/Light), ergonomic controls for thumb response. - Customizable training environment, adjust voice, haptics and stimulus timing to match your preferred intensity. Freemium model & Honeymoon trial Enjoy full Premium access free for the first 3 days and experience the complete training system, unlimited sessions, ad-free focus, and advanced analytics that reveal your long-term cognitive growth. Premium unlocks detailed progress history, deeper performance insights, and structured plans designed for serious improvement. Who it’s for - Students and professionals who want measurable boosts in focus and mental throughput. - Adults looking to keep their memory sharp with short daily practice. - High-performers and curious minds who treat cognitive fitness seriously. Start a practice streak today. Train at the edge of your capacity, measure real results, and make cognitive fitness part of your routine. Privacy Policy: https://greenbisonstudio.web.app/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

N4 screens
Dual N4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: N at none against Dual N's shown. N also leads on ratings volume (239 vs 3). On price, rating, 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. N sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and Dual N sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for N against 4.7 for Dual N. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: N has 239 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
N versus Dual N: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNDual N
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (239 ratings) — better4.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews82.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings239 — better3
Update frequencyMonthly—
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB27 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperRivuspurusKonstanty Koszewski

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

7 purchases

N

Subscriptions2
  • Premium (monthly)$8.991 Month
  • Premium (annual)$54.991 Year
One-time5
  • 1 cup of coffee$1.99
  • 4 cups of coffee$5.99
  • Pizza$7.99
Show 2 more
  • 7 cups of coffee$8.99
  • 10 cups of coffee$10.99
2 purchases

Dual N

Subscriptions2
  • Dual N-back Monthly Premium$3.991 Month
  • Dual N-back Yearly Premium3 Days trial$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 239 ratings, while Dual N averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do N or Dual N have ads?
Dual N shows ads; N does not.

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