Comparison

BrainWave vs Lucidly

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

BrainWave

This app uses binaural brainwave entrainment with ambient sounds to induce specific dream states. It offers 11 programs designed to synchronize brainwaves with frequencies associated with different levels of dreaming, enhancing dream vividness. Headphones are required for optimal results.

Highlights
  • 11 Binaural Dream Induction Programs
  • Ambient soundscapes
  • Sleep induction phase
  • Alpha, Beta, and Theta dream sequences
  • Ambience + Other App background mode
  • Other App background mode
Features
Read full description

11 Advanced Binaural Dream Induction Programs in One App! Dream Inducer combines soothing ambient sounds with powerful binaural sequences to synchronize your brainwaves with frequencies associated with 11 different levels of dreaming. * Universal iOS App for iPhone/Pad * Headphones or Earbuds must be worn for binaural tones to be effective. * Each program includes a sleep induction phase and then introduces progressively higher frequency Alpha, Beta, and Theta dream sequences to stimulate increasingly vivid dreams. * To combine Brainwaves and Ambience with Audio from Another App use the 'Ambience + Other App' background mode. * To use just Brainwaves and Audio from Another App use the "Other App" option for the Background Mode. ** How Binaural Brainwave Entrainment Works ** Through the process of brainwave entrainment human brainwave frequencies can be synchronized with a frequency associated with a target mental state. These Brainwave frequencies are too low for the human ear to hear, however, these low-frequencies can be perceived by the human brain if two different audible frequencies are played separately into each ear with headphones or earbuds. For example, the human ear can't directly perceive the 2 Hz Delta-wave frequency associated with deep sleep, but if you wear headphones with one side playing a 135 Hz tone and the other playing a 137 Hz tone your brain will perceive the 2 Hz difference between those frequencies as a periodic beat. As you listen, your brainwaves will begin to match that frequency, inducing the associated mental state. Dream Inducer improves upon basic binaural techniques by layering multiple signals and then assembling these into sequences of programs that combine to create extremely unique experiences.

About

Lucidly

This app uses AI and your smartwatch to detect REM sleep. It alerts you during this phase, allowing you to attempt lucid dreaming. It supports various induction techniques and offers two modes for sleep entry or REM detection.

Highlights
  • Real-time REM prediction
  • AI-driven sleep stage detection
  • Haptic and audible alerts
  • Two operating modes (Inference & Hypnagogic)
  • Adjustable prediction thresholds and alerts
  • Session analytics and charts
  • Apple HealthKit integration
Features
Read full description

Lucidly collects health readings while you are sleeping via the watch. The readings are evaluated using artificial intelligence to determine when you have entered rapid eye movement (REM) of your sleep cycle. When REM is detected, the watch will alert you by triggering tactile and or audible signals. The user can attempt to recognize the signal in their dreaming state, or wake up and attempt to reenter REM via any lucid dreaming induction method of choice. Lucidly is the first and only application that specifically targets this phase of the sleep cycle using health readings in combination with machine learning and haptic signaling. The application works well and supports WILD, WBTB, DEILD and DILD induction techniques, and is available in two operating modes: Inference (REM detection and alerts), and hypnagogic (periodic haptics for sleep entry). Lucidly integrates with Apple's health kit for functionality. User permission is required to read and write data. REM prediction is performed by neural networks while the application is in session and the user is asleep. Lucidly has an overall accuracy > 80%. REM inference is an approximation and results may vary. Familiarity and some experience with lucid dreaming induction techniques is recommended before subscribing. Lucidly provides the following features: - Real time REM prediction with auto shut-off tactile and audible signaling. - REM stage determined by artificial neural networks (AI). - Greater than 80% model accuracy. - Two operating modes: Inference and hypnagogic. Modes can run in tandem or independently. - Ability to adjust prediction thresholds, haptics, session and alert durations. - Analytics and charts generated for each session with notification timestamps. - Seamlessly integrates and displays Sleep App metrics. - Ability to playback sessions and test different settings against REM detection models. - No registration required to use the application. - No personally identifying information is collected. - Subscriptions are auto-renewable and can be cancelled any time. - All plans include a FREE 7-day trial. =============== IN-APP PURCHASE: Monthly: $5.99 Yearly: $39.99 ($3.33 / mo) - Payment will be charged to iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - Subscriptions automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. =================== BEFORE YOU SUBSCRIBE: Lucidly requires Apple Watch for functionality. This application will not work without a paired Apple Watch and installed companion Lucidly WatchOS application. Familiarity and some experience with lucid dreaming induction techniques is recommended. Read our Privacy Policy at: https://lucidly-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/privacy_lucidly.html Read our Terms of Service at: https://lucidly-public.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/terms_lucidly.html

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
Lucidly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Lucidly at Free against BrainWave's $3.99. Lucidly also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). BrainWave's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 44%) and rating (4.9 vs 3.3). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Lucidly is free to download; BrainWave costs $3.99 up front. Lucidly sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. BrainWave asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BrainWave holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainWave has 1.1K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 87% of BrainWave's written reviews are positive against 44% of Lucidly's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Lucidly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
BrainWave versus Lucidly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWaveLucidly
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (1.1K ratings) — better3.3 (18 ratings)
Positive reviews86.9% of reviews — better43.8% of reviews
Number of ratings1.1K — better18
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better13.4
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB110 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperBanzai Labs5Path LLC

Customer experience

BrainWave

All ratings1,051 ratings
Positive97.5%
Neutral1.4%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews130 reviews
Positive86.9%
Neutral4.6%
Negative8.5%

Lucidly

All ratings18 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive43.8%
Neutral18.8%
Negative37.5%

Bugs and requests

BrainWave

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Compatibility issues with certain devices/headphones
  • Occasional audio glitches or interruptions

Requested features

4 requests
  • More ambient sound options
  • Ability to adjust frequency settings
  • Integration with other sleep/meditation apps
  • Support for voice control

Lucidly

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Lucidly

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Access7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Annual Access7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lucidly free?
Lucidly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Lucidly?
BrainWave is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Lucidly averages 3.3 from 18 ratings.
Do BrainWave or Lucidly have ads?
Neither BrainWave nor Lucidly shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Lucidly?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Lucidly weekly. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on October 17, 2026 and Lucidly on September 24, 2026.

Other comparisons