Comparison

BrainWave vs Orca

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

Orca

Capture thoughts, reminders, and lists using voice, text, or photos. Automatically categorizes information and provides smart reminders. Collaborate with others in shared spaces for planning and organization.

Highlights
  • Voice capture and transcription
  • Automatic categorization
  • Smart reminders
  • Shared collaborative spaces
  • Grocery list generation
  • Media tracking
Read full description

Your brain isn't a storage system. Orca is. Say it, type it, or snap it — Orca transcribes, categorizes, and reminds you at exactly the right moment. No folders. No manual tagging. Just drop it and move on. Shopping & Recipes Paste any recipe link and your ingredient list is ready to shop — sorted by aisle, not chaos. Build grocery, hardware, or warehouse lists by voice in seconds. Or browse the Discover feed — curated recipes from top food sites — and add everything to your cart with one tap. Voice Capture Speak naturally. Clothing sizes, birthdays, gift ideas, flights, restaurant recs — Orca files everything automatically in the right place. Smart Reminders One-time or recurring, set by voice. Orca reminds you when it actually matters. Shared Spaces Plan together in real time. Invite a partner, roommate, or family member — shared events, checklists, groceries, and notes that sync instantly across both your Today views and Calendars. People & Gifts Birthdays, gift ideas, budgets, and countdowns for everyone who matters. Mention a name and Orca links it automatically. Never show up empty-handed again. Collectibles Track your Pokémon card collection by set — mark what you own, what you're chasing, and see your collection's estimated value. Browse every TCG set, filter by rarity, and share your list with anyone in one tap. Lego sets and Smiski figures too. Screenshots & Travel Snap a hotel confirmation or flight itinerary — Orca reads it, saves it, and reminds you at the right time. Media Queue Track shows, movies, and books you want to watch or read. Browse trending titles and new releases by genre in Discover, add them instantly, and rate when you're done. Always know what's next. Thoughts A private notebook that stays out of your way. Write freely — no categorizing, no reminders. Just your notes, grouped by date.

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
Orca4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Orca at Free against BrainWave's $4.99. Orca also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 88%). BrainWave's advantage is ratings volume (1.2K vs 11) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.2). On rating, ads, in-app purchases 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

Orca is free to download; BrainWave costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for BrainWave against 5.0 for Orca. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainWave has 1.2K ratings behind it against 11, 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 100% of Orca's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Orca every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
BrainWave versus Orca: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWaveOrca
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (1.2K ratings)5.0 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews87.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.2K — better11
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBanzai LabsDavid Piliponskiy

Customer experience

BrainWave

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

Orca

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Orca

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

None

Orca

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Orca free?
Orca is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Orca?
Orca is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Orca averages 5.0 from 11 ratings.
Do BrainWave or Orca have ads?
Neither BrainWave nor Orca shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Orca?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Orca every 6 days. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on October 10, 2026 and Orca on September 28, 2026.

Other comparisons