Comparison

BrainWave vs Be Present

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

Be Present

This app helps you focus on tasks by encouraging mono-tasking and providing tools for enhanced concentration. It offers positive affirmations, time blocking with a Pomodoro timer, and science-backed soundscapes to prevent burnout and boost productivity.

Highlights
  • Positive mindset building
  • Pomodoro timer
  • Science-backed methods
  • Relaxing soundscapes
  • Time blocking
  • Prevent burnout
Features
Read full description

Be Present helps you build the daily routines that make focus inevitable. Not another productivity app. Be Present is built around one idea: when your routines are right, focus happens naturally. #What Our Users Are Saying "Be Present has been a game-changer! I'm more productive and feel less anxious." — Jae P. "The focus music transformed my work sessions. I get more done in less time!" — Anna "I finished my final paper despite my ADHD." — Jessie #What Be Present Offers - Morning & Night Routines: Start and end your day with intention - Pomodoro Timer: 25-min focus sessions with breaks up to 90 min - Focus Music: Lofi, binaural beats, and soundscapes for deep work - Prevent Burnout: Structured breaks protect your mental energy - Journal & Gratitude: Reflect and reset daily #Why It Works 47% of people have a daily physical health routine. Only 28% have a mental health one. Be Present closes that gap. SUPPORT: love@littlebeat.io

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
Be Present4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Be Present at Free against BrainWave's $4.99. Be Present also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). BrainWave's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and ratings volume (1.2K vs 101). On rating and ads 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

Be Present is free to download; BrainWave costs $4.99 up front. Be Present sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. BrainWave asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for BrainWave against 4.8 for Be Present. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainWave has 1.2K ratings behind it against 101, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 88% of BrainWave's written reviews are positive against 78% of Be Present's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Be Present fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
BrainWave versus Be Present: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWaveBe Present
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (1.2K ratings) — better4.8 (101 ratings)
Positive reviews87.9% of reviews — better77.8% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K — better101
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.2
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB104 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperBanzai LabsLittleBeat LLC

Customer experience

BrainWave

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

Be Present

All ratings92 ratings
Positive92.4%
Neutral2.2%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral5.6%
Negative16.7%

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

Be Present

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Be Present

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly subscription1 Month trial$5.991 Month
  • Limited time discounted offer7 Days trial$12.991 Year
  • 7 Day Trial Yearly Plan7 Days trial$19.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Discounted yearly subscription1 Month trial$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Exclusive Lifetime Plan Offer$12.99

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Be Present free?
Be Present is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Be Present?
BrainWave is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Be Present averages 4.8 from 101 ratings.
Do BrainWave or Be Present have ads?
Neither BrainWave nor Be Present shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Be Present?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Be Present fortnightly. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on September 23, 2026 and Be Present on September 19, 2026.

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