# BrainWave vs Binaural Beats

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.

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 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrainWave | Binaural Beats |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainwave-sharp-mind/id308715234/reviews)** | [4.7 (173 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/binaural-beats-sleep-and-focus/id6462417759/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 173 |
| Positive reviews | **87.9% of reviews** | 55.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Freemium** |
| Best chart rank | **#149** | — |
| Size | 158 MB | 124 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Banzai Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/305909501) | [Zhuzhou Yiqi Network Technology Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1655498857) |

## What reviewers say

### BrainWave

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

**Currently charting:** #149 Top Paid · Productivity (US App Store)

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


### Binaural Beats

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/binaural-beats-sleep-and-focus/id6462417759)

Immerse yourself in soundscapes designed to enhance sleep, focus, and relaxation. Explore a variety of brainwave frequencies and ambient music to create a personal routine for calm and concentration.

**Highlights:** Binaural beats for sleep and focus, Brainwave frequency sessions, Ambient music soundscapes, Meditation and relaxation tools, Isochronic tones, Frequency exploration (432 Hz, Solfeggio)

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Binaural Beats Premium Monthly | $14.99 | per month |
| Binaural Beats Premium Yearly | $34.99 | per year |
| Binaural Beat Premium 2-years | $49.99 | one-time |
| Binaural Beat Premium Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BrainWave free?

BrainWave costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Binaural Beats free?

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

### Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Binaural Beats?

BrainWave is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Binaural Beats averages 4.7 from 173 ratings.

### Do BrainWave or Binaural Beats have ads?

Neither BrainWave nor Binaural Beats shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Binaural Beats?

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Binaural Beats every 6 weeks. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on October 31, 2026 and Binaural Beats on November 4, 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.*