# BrainWave vs Be Present

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | BrainWave | Be Present |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainwave-sharp-mind/id308715234/reviews)** | [4.8 (101 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/be-present-daily-routine/id6474690644/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 101 |
| Positive reviews | **87.9% of reviews** | 77.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 158 MB | 104 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Banzai Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/305909501) | [LittleBeat LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1869435380) |

## 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


### Be Present

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/be-present-daily-routine/id6474690644)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $5.99 | per month |
| Limited time discounted offer | $12.99 | per year |
| 7 Day Trial Yearly Plan | $19.99 | per year |
| Discounted yearly subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Exclusive Lifetime Plan Offer | $12.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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.

---

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