# BrainWave vs Pomodoro

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | BrainWave | Pomodoro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainwave-sharp-mind/id308715234/reviews)** | [4.7 (11K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pomodoro-focus-timer/id1265128036/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.2K | **11K** |
| Positive reviews | **87.9% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 158 MB | 106 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Banzai Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/305909501) | [DelightApps Corp.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1634225208) |

## What reviewers say

### BrainWave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainwave-sharp-mind/id308715234)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- Alarm clock not working properly
- Compatibility issues with older devices

**Requested features**

- Add more background sound options
- Allow customization of sound mixes
- Enable background playback while device is locked


### Pomodoro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pomodoro-focus-timer/id1265128036)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Club | $0.99 | per month |
| Pomodoro - premium | $1.99 | per month |
| Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $7.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime premium | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*