# N vs VanDraw

N and VanDraw both sit at 4.7 stars, but that hides the real split: 83% of N's written reviews are positive against 38% of VanDraw's. VanDraw's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and chart position (#157 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. N sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month and VanDraw sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.00 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for N against 4.6 for VanDraw. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 240 and 414 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of N's written reviews are positive against 38% of VanDraw's.

N ships an update monthly, VanDraw weekly. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | N | VanDraw |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (240 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/n-back-challenge/id1524599079/reviews)** | [4.6 (414 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vandraw/id6803028658/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 240 | **414** |
| Positive reviews | **82.8% of reviews** | 38.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | **#157** |
| Size | 72 MB | 126 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Rivuspurus](https://appshunter.io/developer/1171945549) | [VanDraw](https://appshunter.io/developer/6803028660) |

## What reviewers say

### N

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/n-back-challenge/id1524599079)

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

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium (monthly) | $8.99 | per month |
| Premium (annual) | $54.99 | per year |
| 1 cup of coffee | $1.99 | one-time |
| 4 cups of coffee | $5.99 | one-time |
| Pizza | $7.99 | one-time |
| 7  cups of coffee | $8.99 | one-time |
| 10  cups of coffee | $10.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🧠 Effective working memory improvement
- 🎮 Excellent gamification and motivation system
- 💰 Free to use with affordable payment options
- 🎨 Clean, polished, intuitive user interface
- 📚 Scientifically-backed with educational articles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent mid-session freezes and crashes
- 🔊 Unclear letter pronunciation (some letters sound similar)
- 💳 Controversial 'coffee' paywall for missed days
- 🔌 Requires internet connection (not offline compatible)
- ⚠️ Inconsistent instant feedback on answers

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### VanDraw

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vandraw/id6803028658)

**Currently charting:** #157 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Learn to draw by tracing outlines projected onto paper from your phone. Guided lessons and a large library of images make it easy for anyone to create their own artwork.

**Highlights:** Trace outlines from photos or library, Guided drawing lessons with voice prompts, Save progress in guided lessons, Library of hundreds of images, Use your own photos, Camera tools for steady projection

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VanDraw Pro | $5.00 | per 7 days |
| VanDraw Pro | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| VanDraw Pro | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| VanDraw Pro | $7.00 | per 7 days |
| VanDraw Pro | $9.00 | per 7 days |
| VanDraw Pro | $9.00 | per 7 days |
| VanDraw Pro | $34.99 | per year |
| VanDraw Pro | $34.99 | per year |
| VanDraw Pro Lifetime | $29.00 | one-time |
| VanDraw Pro Lifetime | $50.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is N free?

N is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is VanDraw free?

VanDraw is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, N or VanDraw?

N is rated higher. N averages 4.7 out of 5 from 240 ratings, while VanDraw averages 4.6 from 414 ratings.

### Do N or VanDraw have ads?

Neither N nor VanDraw shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, N or VanDraw?

N ships an update monthly, and VanDraw weekly. Most recently, N was updated on October 29, 2026 and VanDraw on October 29, 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.*