Comparison

BrainWave vs Brainwaves

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

Brainwaves

This app uses precision-engineered binaural beats and isochronic tones to synchronize neural oscillations for enhanced brain performance, clarity, and recovery. It offers a spectrum of frequencies for focus, sleep, health, and spiritual exploration.

Highlights
  • Binaural Beats & Isochronic Tones
  • Targeted Brainwave Frequencies (Delta to Gamma)
  • Performance & Flow State Enhancement
  • Sleep & Recovery Modes
  • Health & Bio-Reset Frequencies
  • Spiritual Transcendence Frequencies
  • Ultra-HD 320kbps Audio
Features
Read full description

Step inside your mind. Foggy mornings, wired midnights, the 3 PM crash in between, your brainwaves are stuck out of sync, and sound can shift them back. Science-backed binaural beats guide your brain into deep sleep, sharp focus, calm, recovery, or states beyond ordinary awareness. No meditation. No pills. Just headphones and 15 to 60 minutes. Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman has publicly discussed 40 Hz gamma binaural beats as a tool for focus and concentration. That is the science Brainwaves is built on. 7 BRAINWAVE BANDS, DELTA TO EPSILON Delta for deep sleep. Theta for dreaming. Alpha for calm. Beta for focus. Gamma for peak cognition. Epsilon for deep transcendence. SIGNATURE SESSIONS Deep Gamma Focus (40 Hz Gamma): sharp attention and working memory. Deep Sleep Night (Theta): drift into deep sleep faster. Ultra Sleep System (Delta 2 Hz): slow-wave sleep for physical restoration. Nervous System Reset (Alpha 10 Hz): calm stress, restore balance. Flow State Engine (Alpha 11 Hz): peak flow for deep work. Serotonin Release (Alpha 10 Hz): lift mood, ease tension. SLEEP AID AND INSOMNIA RELIEF Fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Delta journeys (0.5 to 4 Hz) for racing thoughts, 3am wake-ups, stress, late-night screens, and jet lag. A drug-free sleep aid for people who have tried everything. FOCUS AID AND BRAIN FOG Cut through fog with beta and gamma sessions (13 to 40 Hz). Sharpen clarity for deep work, study, and mental fitness. ANXIETY CALM AND STRESS RELIEF Alpha and theta soundscapes (4 to 12 Hz) ease tension and rebalance your nervous system. No meditation experience needed. HEALTH AND RECOVERY Solfeggio frequencies layered with brainwave audio for whole-body reset and recovery from burnout. CONSCIOUSNESS EXPERIENCE, EXCLUSIVE TO BRAINWAVES Beyond sleep and focus, Brainwaves is built for altered states of consciousness you will not find in other brainwave apps. Astral Projection: guided exploration beyond the limits of the physical. Remote Viewing: expand perception beyond ordinary sight and strengthen intuition. Lucid Dreaming: become aware inside your dreams and learn to steer them. Fifth Dimension: transcend ordinary perception. Gamma and Epsilon Journeys: expanded awareness and deep transcendence. 963 Hz Pineal Gland Activation: the God Frequency, for deep meditation, whole-brain coherence, and higher states of awareness. WHY BRAINWAVES 500+ precision sessions across sleep, focus, relaxation, spiritual exploration, and health. EEG-mapped frequencies: science-informed design, not random tones. Personalized journeys: tell us your goals, we guide your first session. Offline listening and Family Sharing: download favorites and share with your family. Free trial: try it before you commit, cancel anytime. WHAT TO EXPECT Night 1 to 3: the beat gives your attention somewhere to go, so it is easier to switch off. By day 4 to 7 you reach sleep, focus, or calm faster, and from week 2 the state holds longer. Individual results vary. WHO IT IS FOR You have tried meditation apps and they did not stick. You want a drug-free sleep, focus, or recovery aid. Brainwaves was made for you. SAFETY Headphones or earbuds are required. Do not listen while driving or operating machinery. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS Begin with a free trial. Your subscription automatically renews 24 hours before the end of each billing period and is charged through your iTunes account. Cancel anytime before the trial ends and you will not be charged. Turn off automatic renewal anytime in your account settings. No refund for unused portions. Privacy Policy: http://www.imoblife.net/PrivacyPolicy/ Terms of Service: http://www.imoblife.net/PrivacyPolicy/Terms_of_Use.html Disclaimer: Brainwaves is a wellness tool supported by neuroscience research. Not a medical device. Consult your physician for clinical conditions.

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
Brainwaves4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Brainwaves at Free against BrainWave's $4.99. Brainwaves also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). BrainWave's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). On ratings volume, ads 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

Brainwaves is free to download; BrainWave costs $4.99 up front. Brainwaves sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 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 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.2K and 3.3K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of BrainWave's written reviews are positive against 76% of Brainwaves's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Brainwaves weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
BrainWave versus Brainwaves: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWaveBrainwaves
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (1.2K ratings) — better4.4 (3.3K ratings)
Positive reviews87.9% of reviews — better76.4% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K3.3K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#105 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB267 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBanzai LabsiMobLife Inc.

Customer experience

BrainWave

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

Brainwaves

All ratings3,316 ratings
Positive84.4%
Neutral2.4%
Negative13.2%
Written reviews1,111 reviews
Positive76.4%
Neutral3.4%
Negative20.2%

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

Brainwaves

From 3.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🌟 Excellent selection of binaural beats and frequencies
  • 🧘‍♀️ Helpful for relaxation, sleep, and meditation
  • 🤯 Noticeable effects on mental state and focus
  • 🙌 Positive impact on health issues like pain and anxiety
  • 👍 User-friendly app with good organization

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription and individual track prices
  • 🐛 Occasional crashes and playback issues
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find desired tracks
  • 🔁 Lack of playlist and looping functionality
  • 🤖 Aggressive marketing and upselling tactics

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

Brainwaves

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription issues and inability to cancel
  • Tracks randomly stopping or skipping
  • Inconsistent performance across devices
  • Syncing problems between app and website

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to create and save custom playlists
  • Option to loop tracks or set sleep timers
  • Better search and filtering capabilities
  • More detailed information about each track
  • Integration with other health/wellness apps

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Brainwaves

Subscriptions10
  • Discover the Science of Sound14 Days trial$12.991 Month
  • Brainwaves special offer$12.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription3 Months trial$12.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Brainwaves special offer$14.991 Month
  • Brainwaves Special Offer$34.991 Year
  • Optimize Your Focus7 Days trial$37.991 Year
  • Annual Premium$47.991 Year
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$48.991 Year
  • Yearly Special Offer$49.991 Year
  • Premium for Spiritual Healing7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Brainwaves free?
Brainwaves is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Brainwaves?
BrainWave is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Brainwaves averages 4.4 from 3.3K ratings.
Do BrainWave or Brainwaves have ads?
Neither BrainWave nor Brainwaves shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Brainwaves?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Brainwaves weekly. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on October 31, 2026 and Brainwaves on November 4, 2026.

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