Comparison

BrainWave vs Focus To

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

Focus To

This app combines a Pomodoro timer with task management to boost productivity. Organize tasks, set reminders, and track your focused work sessions with detailed reports. Syncs across all your devices for seamless management.

Highlights
  • Pomodoro timer with customizable lengths
  • Task and project organization
  • Recurring tasks and reminders
  • Detailed time tracking reports
  • Cross-platform synchronization
  • White noise for focus
Features
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Focus To-Do combines Pomodoro Timer with Task Management, it is a science-based app that will motivate you to stay focused and get things done. It brings Pomodoro Technique and To Do List into one place, you can capture and organize tasks into your todo lists, start focus timer and focus on work & study, set reminders for important tasks and errands, check the time spent at work. It's the ultimate app for managing Tasks, Reminders, Lists, Calendar events, Grocery lists, checklist, helping you focus on work & study and tracking your working hours. Focus To-Do syncs between your phone and computer, so you can access your lists from anywhere. How it works: 1. Pick a task you need to accomplish. 2. Set a timer for 25 minutes, keep focused and start working. 3. When the pomodoro timer rings, take a 5 minute break. Key Features: - Pomodoro Timer:Stay focused and get more things done. Pause and resume Pomodoro Customizable pomodoro/breaks lengths Notification before the end of a Pomodoro Support for short and long breaks Skip a break after the end of a Pomodoro Continuous Mode - Tasks Management: Task Organizer, Schedule Planner, Reminder, Habit Tracker, Time Tracker Tasks and projects: Organise your day with Focus To-Do and complete your to do, study, work, homework or housework you need to get done. Recurring tasks: Build lasting habits with powerful recurring due dates like "Every Monday". Reminders: Setting a Reminder ensures you never forget important things ever again, you can set up recurring due dates to remind you each and every time. Sub-tasks: Break down your task into smaller, actionable items or add a checklist . Task Priority: Highlight your day’s most important To-Do with color-coded priority levels. Estimated Pomodoro Number: Estimate the workload or set a goal. Note: Record more detailed about the task. - Report: Detailed statistics of your time distribution, tasks completed. Support the calculation of the total time of Focus Time. Gantt Chart of the Focus Time. Statistics on completed To Do. Statistics on time distribution of project. Trend chart of the completed To Do and the focus time. - All-Platform synchronization: View and manage your goals wherever you are for better goal achieving. Support seamless synchronization within iPhone、Mac、iPad、Apple Watch and other major platforms. - Various Reminding: Focus Timer finished alarm, vibration reminding. Various white noise to help you focus on work & study. - Daily/Weekly/Monthly Report View all of your tracked time in a calendar view. - Support prevention of screen lock: Check the pomodoro time left by keeping the screen on. Contact Us: support@focustodo.net, reply within 24 hours. Website: http://www.focustodo.cn Pomodoro ™ and Pomodoro Technique ® are registered trademarks of Francesco Cirillo. This app is not affiliated with Francesco Cirillo. Users have been focused on our app for 200 million hours, join us and we help you to be focused and increase your productivity, reduce procrastination and anxiety.

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
Focus To4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Focus To at Free against BrainWave's $4.99. Focus To also leads on ratings volume (15K vs 1.2K). BrainWave's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (88% vs 80%). On rating, update cadence, ads 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

Focus To is free to download; BrainWave costs $4.99 up front. Focus To sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. 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 Focus To. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Focus To has 15K ratings behind it against 1.2K, 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 80% of Focus To's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Focus To every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
BrainWave versus Focus To: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWaveFocus To
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (1.2K ratings) — better4.8 (15K ratings)
Positive reviews87.9% of reviews — better79.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1.2K15K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBanzai LabsShenzhen Tomato Software Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

BrainWave

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

Focus To

All ratings14,611 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral2.1%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews1,786 reviews
Positive79.9%
Neutral8.2%
Negative11.9%

User reviews

BrainWave

From 1.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Helps with focus and concentration
  • 👍 Effective for ADHD and TBI
  • 🧠 Improves cognitive abilities
  • 💤 Aids in sleep and relaxation
  • 🎨 Enhances creativity and problem-solving

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or audio issues
  • 🔇 Stops playing when notifications occur
  • 🔍 Cluttered interface could be simplified

Focus To

From 15K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Well-designed interface
  • 🚀 Helpful for productivity and focus
  • 💡 Useful Pomodoro technique integration
  • 🌱 Motivating gamification features
  • 📊 Detailed analytics and progress tracking

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Sync issues between devices
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔍 Cluttered or confusing interface
  • 🕰️ Timer resets or disappears unexpectedly
  • 🚫 Paywall locks core features

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

Focus To

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Pomodoro timer not working correctly
  • Data/progress resets randomly
  • Syncing issues between devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Calendar integration
  • Ability to pause/resume Pomodoro sessions
  • More customization options
  • Improved Apple Watch app functionality

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Focus To

One-time3
  • Focus To-Do Premium$1.99
  • 3 Months$3.99
  • Lifetime$11.99

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Focus To free?
Focus To is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Focus To?
BrainWave is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.2K ratings, while Focus To averages 4.8 from 15K ratings.
Do BrainWave or Focus To have ads?
Neither BrainWave nor Focus To shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Focus To?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Focus To every 5 weeks. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on September 23, 2026 and Focus To on September 24, 2026.

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