Comparison

BrainWave vs Lucyd

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

Lucyd

This app trains users to achieve lucid dreams through a science-backed method. It includes daily reality checks, nighttime cues, and a morning journal with voice recording and transcription to help identify personal dream signs.

Highlights
  • Targeted Lucidity Reactivation (TLR) protocol
  • Automated nightly cues
  • Morning dream journal with voice capture
  • On-device dream sign detection
  • Lucidity trend insights
  • Customizable reality check reminders
  • Home-screen widget
Features
Read full description

Lucyd is built on Targeted Lucidity Reactivation (TLR), a method developed by sleep scientists at Northwestern University. In their 2024 study, ordinary people using a smartphone version of this technique went from 0.74 to 2.11 lucid dreams per week, nearly three times as many. HOW IT WORKS Train by day Short reality checks pair a signature sound with one thought: "Am I dreaming?" Optional reminders keep the habit alive through your day. Cues at night Start Pre-Sleep Mode on your nightstand. During the REM-rich part of the night, Lucyd softly replays your cue, timed and volume-ramped to reach the dream without waking you. Journal every morning Speak or type your dream the moment you wake. Lucyd keeps your voice recording, transcribes it, and reads it for recurring dream signs, the personal patterns that tell you "this is a dream." WHAT YOU GET • The full TLR training protocol, automated every night • A morning journal with voice capture and transcription • Dream-sign detection that runs on your phone • Insights: lucidity trends, sleep correlations, recurring signs • Reality-check reminders tuned to your schedule • A home-screen widget that keeps your cue close PRIVATE BY DESIGN No account, no sign-up. Your dreams, recordings, and stats stay on your device. Transcription runs on-device when your phone supports it. MEMBERSHIP Lucyd Pro unlocks everything. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store settings. Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy: https://lucyapp.vercel.app/privacy

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
Lucyd4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Lucyd at Free against BrainWave's $3.99. Lucyd also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). BrainWave's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 50%) and in-app purchases (none vs 5). On ads 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

Lucyd is free to download; BrainWave costs $3.99 up front. Lucyd sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainWave has 1.1K ratings behind it against 56, 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 50% of Lucyd's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Lucyd weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
BrainWave versus Lucyd: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWaveLucyd
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (1.1K ratings) — better4.5 (56 ratings)
Positive reviews86.9% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.1K — better56
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFreemium — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size159 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBanzai LabsNatia Osadze

Customer experience

BrainWave

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

Lucyd

All ratings30 ratings
Positive96.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

Lucyd

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Lucyd

Subscriptions5
  • Lucy Pro (Monthly)$4.991 Month
  • Lucy Pro (Monthly)$9.991 Month
  • Lucy Pro (Yearly)$19.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Lucy Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$19.991 Year
  • Lucy Pro (Yearly)7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lucyd free?
Lucyd is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Lucyd?
BrainWave is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Lucyd averages 4.5 from 56 ratings.
Do BrainWave or Lucyd have ads?
Neither BrainWave nor Lucyd shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Lucyd?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Lucyd weekly. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on October 24, 2026 and Lucyd on October 25, 2026.

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