BrainWave vs Binaural Beats
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 18 Advanced Brainwave Programs
- Binaural Tones with Music/Audiobooks
- Ambient Backgrounds & Alarm Sounds
- Adjustable Brainwave Intensity
- Customizable Timer
- Progressive Brainwave Entrainment
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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.
Binaural Beats
This app uses scientifically designed binaural beats and instrumental music to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance focus. It offers various sound wave frequencies to help users achieve desired mental states for sleep, meditation, and concentration.
- Binaural beat therapy
- Stress relief sounds
- Sleep enhancement tracks
- Focus and concentration music
- Relaxation and meditation aid
- Instrumental music compositions
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Discover the power of binaural beats for sleep, focus, relaxation, meditation, and lucid dreaming. Binaural Beats has been created for anyone feeling stressed, tired, overwhelmed, or simply looking for a moment of calm. Our goal is to provide immersive audio experiences that help you relax your mind, stay focused, and enjoy deeper rest through sound. We believe sound can positively influence the way you feel. Through carefully designed binaural beats, brainwave frequencies, isochronic tones, and ambient music, we create sessions for sleep, meditation, concentration, relaxation, and mindful listening. Binaural beats offer a unique way to experience sound and frequency. Brainwaves describe patterns of electrical activity in the brain, with different frequency ranges commonly associated with states such as relaxation, focus, sleep, and meditation. Our app includes carefully designed sessions inspired by: • 40 Hz Gamma Waves – focus, awareness, and attentive listening • Delta Waves – sleep, rest, and nighttime relaxation • Theta Waves – meditation, creativity, and deep relaxation • Alpha Waves – calm, mindfulness, and relaxed focus • Beta Waves – concentration, alertness, and focused listening Each frequency offers a unique listening experience for different moments of your day. We compose instrumental soundscapes and frequency-based audio for: • Sleep and deep rest • Focus and concentration • Study and deep work • Meditation and mindfulness • Relaxation and moments of calm • Deep listening and inner awareness Our sessions combine binaural beats, brainwave frequencies, isochronic tones, ambient sounds, and immersive audio to create relaxing and focused listening experiences. Since 2014, we have been creating Binaural Beat tracks, instrumental music, and frequency-based sound experiences for meditation, sleep, focus, and deep relaxation. Every track in our app is carefully crafted and takes hours to compose, design, and produce. Listening to Binaural Beats or Isochronic Tones can be an immersive way to create a personal routine for relaxation, concentration, meditation, or sleep. For the intended binaural listening experience, we recommend using headphones or earbuds. What Are Binaural Beats? Binaural beats are an auditory illusion created when two tones with slightly different frequencies are played separately into each ear. Because of the frequency difference, the listener perceives an additional rhythmic sensation known as a binaural beat. For example: If a 50 Hz tone is played in one ear and a 40 Hz tone in the other, the frequency difference is 10 Hz. Explore Frequency Sessions Explore a wide range of sounds for meditation, deep listening, focus, and relaxation, including 432 Hz and Solfeggio frequencies such as 174 Hz, 285 Hz, 396 Hz, 417 Hz, 528 Hz, 639 Hz, 741 Hz, 852 Hz, and 963 Hz. Whether you're preparing for sleep, studying, meditating, focusing on work, or simply taking a quiet moment, explore different frequencies and find the sounds that fit your routine. Disclaimer: Binaural Beats is intended for relaxation, meditation, sleep, focus, and general wellness purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. Individual experiences may vary. Subscription Prices & Terms Binaural Beats offers optional Monthly and Yearly auto-renewing subscriptions, as well as a Lifetime purchase. Premium access includes all sessions and app features. Selected sessions are available for free. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/topd-studio Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/topd-terms-of-use
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Binaural Beats at Free against BrainWave's $4.99. BrainWave's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (88% vs 56%). On rating, update cadence, 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
Binaural Beats is free to download; BrainWave costs $4.99 up front. Binaural Beats sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 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: BrainWave has 1.2K ratings behind it against 173, 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 56% of Binaural Beats's.
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Binaural Beats every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BrainWave | Binaural Beats |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (1.2K ratings) — better | 4.7 (173 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 87.9% of reviews — better | 55.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.2K — better | 173 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 158 MB | 122 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Banzai Labs | Zhuzhou Yiqi Network Technology Co., Ltd. |
Customer experience
BrainWave
Binaural Beats
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
Binaural Beats
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BrainWave
No in-app purchases
Binaural Beats
- Binaural Beats Premium Monthly$14.991 Month
- Binaural Beats Premium Yearly$34.991 Year
- Binaural Beat Premium 2-years$49.99
- Binaural Beat Premium Lifetime$59.99
Questions
Is BrainWave free?
Is Binaural Beats free?
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Binaural Beats?
Do BrainWave or Binaural Beats have ads?
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Binaural Beats?
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