Comparison

BrainWave vs Pomodoro

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

Head to head
About

BrainWave

Enhance focus, memory, and problem-solving skills with advanced brainwave programs. This app combines binaural tones with ambient sounds and music to guide your mind into optimized mental states for learning and creativity. Customize your experience with adjustable settings and enjoy a unique approach to brainwave entrainment.

Highlights
  • 18 Advanced Brainwave Programs
  • Binaural Tones with Music/Audiobooks
  • Ambient Backgrounds & Alarm Sounds
  • Adjustable Brainwave Intensity
  • Customizable Timer
  • Progressive Brainwave Entrainment
Features
Read full description

18 Advanced Brainwave Programs in One App! Sharp Mind induces optimized mental states ideal for school, exam preparation, confidence, problem solving, memory, creativity, confidence and learning. Combine Binaural Tones with iTunes Music, Audiobooks, Spotify * Built-in iTunes Playlist Creator * 24 Soothing Ambient Backgrounds and 10 Gentle Alarm Sounds. * Universal App * iPhone and iPad UIs HD&SD * Headphones/Earbuds must be worn for Binaural Tones to be Effective. To combine Brainwaves and Ambience with Audio from Another App use Background Mode 'Ambience + Other App' in the Background Settings. To use just Brainwaves and Audio from Another App use the "No Background" option for the Background Source. Warning: These are powerful brainwave entrainment programs and should never be used while driving or operating machinery. BrainWave Sharp Mind is unlike any other brainwave entrainment application. Other brainwave and binaural beat applications use only a single brainwave frequency and carrier signal. The Sharp Mind Progressive Brainwave Entrainment algorithms use a series of brainwave programs, multiple frequencies and carrier waves to gently bring your brainwave frequencies to your desired state using a more natural and effective frequency progression. *** Advanced Features *** - Multiple Brainwave programs each specially designed to elevate you to a unique mental state. - Multiple ambient background sounds to choose from. - Adjustable Brainwave Intensity - The intensity of the brainwaves can be adjusted independently of the ambient background sound. This allows you to set the brainwave volume to your comfort level. The application will also save your preference for future use. - Adjustable ambient background volume. - Visual timer countdown indicator. - Automatic saving of preferred brainwave entrainment program and ambient background sounds. - Ability to create your own custom time option. *** Programs Included *** - Brain Energizer: Takes you through a series of brainwave programs and progressively elevates your level of alertness. - High Beta Concentration: Designed to put your mind into the ultimate state of focus and concentration. Ideal when you need to block out surrounding distractions and study. - Creative Brainstorming: A series of brainwave programs that elevates your mind to a state of open-mindedness and creativity. Perfect for when you're stuck on a problem or are having difficulty coming up with an idea. Sit back and plug into this program to completely open your mind. - Creative Problem Solving: The ultimate combination of focus and creativity achieved through a series of brainwave programs and frequency mixes. - Gamma Memory Boost: This program was designed to be used whenever you feel like taking a break and letting what you've just learned sink in. This will help you maximize memory recall. - Beta Confidence Boost: Designed to be taken before a test or presentation. The other programs help you prepare, solve problems, come up with ideas and remember what you've learned. Sharp Mind also includes: - Creative Thinking - Lateral Thinking - Convergent Thinking - Deductive Thinking - Centered Mind - Focus/Concentration - Gamma Creativity Boost - Evening Memory Boost - Full Beta Spectrum - Full Gamma Spectrum * How Binaural Brainwave Entrainment Works * This app uses advanced Binaural Brainwave Entrainment to stimulate brainwave frequencies associated with different states of mind. These brainwave frequencies are in most cases inaudible and therefore must be induced through the use of binaural tones. In this process two different tones are played, one for one ear, and one for the other (headphones or earbuds must be used). When processing these two different tones the human brain perceives the difference as a beat matching the target brainwave frequency. The listener’s brainwaves synchronize with this beat due to the brain’s frequency following response.

About

Pomodoro

Enhance your focus and productivity with a timer that breaks work into intervals. This app helps you manage tasks using the Pomodoro technique, offering customizable timers, relaxing sounds, and progress tracking. It supports various Apple devices and works offline.

Highlights
  • Pomodoro technique timer
  • Customizable intervals
  • Relaxing sound player
  • iOS widgets and Apple Watch support
  • Task management
  • Progress tracking
  • White noise integration
Features
Read full description

The Best Pomodoro Application. Work with this app to improve your productivity by breaking up after each working period. Features - Timer list - Relaxing sound player - iOS14 Widgets Support - Apple Watch Complications - White noises are played with timer - Customizable timer style & background image - Customizable settings for your working interval and short, long break interval - Offline mode - Dark mode - Manager your task using Pomodoro technique - Focus with white noise sounds - Track your progress - Background scheduling and notification - Support Working on backgrounds - Voice Feedback after finishing work and break - Universal app for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch Feedback email - jason@delightroom.com Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
Pomodoro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Pomodoro at Free against BrainWave's $4.99. Pomodoro also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (11K vs 1.2K). BrainWave's advantage is review sentiment (88% vs 50%) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). On 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

Pomodoro is free to download; BrainWave costs $4.99 up front. Pomodoro sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. BrainWave asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BrainWave holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pomodoro has 11K ratings behind it against 1.2K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of BrainWave's written reviews are positive against 50% of Pomodoro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Pomodoro monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
BrainWave versus Pomodoro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWavePomodoro
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (1.2K ratings) — better4.7 (11K ratings)
Positive reviews87.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K11K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB106 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBanzai LabsDelightApps Corp.

Customer experience

BrainWave

All ratings1,151 ratings
Positive98.4%
Neutral0.9%
Negative0.7%
Written reviews116 reviews
Positive87.9%
Neutral6.9%
Negative5.2%

Pomodoro

All ratings10,798 ratings
Positive93.8%
Neutral2.4%
Negative3.9%
Written reviews298 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral12.4%
Negative37.6%

User reviews

BrainWave

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Helps with focus and concentration
  • 👍 Effective for ADHD and TBI
  • 🧠 Improves cognitive abilities
  • 💤 Aids in sleep and relaxation
  • 🎨 Enhances creativity and problem-solving

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or audio issues
  • 🔇 Stops playing when notifications occur
  • 🔍 Cluttered interface could be simplified

Pomodoro

From 11K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Simple and efficient
  • 🎨 Customizable timers and sounds
  • 📊 Helpful statistics and tracking
  • 👍 Effective for productivity and focus

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy notifications and timers
  • 💰 Too many features locked behind paywall
  • 🔇 Unreliable audio playback
  • 🔍 Lacking basic functionality

Bugs and requests

BrainWave

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Alarm clock not working properly
  • Compatibility issues with older devices

Requested features

3 requests
  • Add more background sound options
  • Allow customization of sound mixes
  • Enable background playback while device is locked

Pomodoro

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Timer stops counting when switching apps
  • Notifications not working consistently
  • Premium features not functioning as expected
  • App crashing or freezing on certain devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to sync timers across devices
  • More customization options for backgrounds and sounds
  • Improved statistics and reporting
  • Better support and communication from developers

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Pomodoro

Subscriptions2
  • Premium Club$0.991 Month
  • Pomodoro - premium$1.991 Month
One-time3
  • Tip$0.99
  • Premium$7.99
  • Lifetime premium$9.99

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pomodoro free?
Pomodoro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Pomodoro?
BrainWave is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Pomodoro averages 4.7 from 11K ratings.
Do BrainWave or Pomodoro have ads?
Pomodoro shows ads; BrainWave does not.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Pomodoro?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Pomodoro monthly. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on October 10, 2026 and Pomodoro on October 12, 2026.

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