# BrainWave vs Orca

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.

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

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrainWave | Orca |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.9 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainwave-sharp-mind/id308715234/reviews) | **[5.0 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orca-memory-capture/id6760213977/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.2K** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | 87.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 158 MB | 14 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 26.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Banzai Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/305909501) | [David Piliponskiy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1883270883) |

## 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


### Orca

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/orca-memory-capture/id6760213977)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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.

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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.*