BrainWave vs alphabeats
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BrainWave
This app uses advanced binaural brainwave entrainment for neuro-athletic training. It features multi-stage programs with progressive frequency algorithms to enhance physical and mental performance. Customize brainwave intensity, background sounds, and timers for a personalized experience.
- Multi-stage binaural programs
- Progressive brainwave entrainment algorithms
- Adjustable brainwave intensity
- Multiple ambient background sounds
- Customizable timer options
- Automatic saving of preferences
Read full descriptionHide full description
Advanced Binaural Brainwave Entrainment developed specifically for neuro athletic training. Features 8 Multi-Stage Binaural Programs developed from the ground up for athletes. This app is unlike any other brainwave entrainment application. Other brainwave and binaural beat applications use only a single brainwave frequency and carrier signal. The Progressive Brainwave Entrainment algorithms developed for this app use a series of brainwave stages, with 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 boost physical and mental performance. - 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. *** Included Programs *** - Quick Energy: Single-stage program targeting 30 Hz High-Beta/Low-Gamma for a quick energy boost. - Power and Focus: Multi-stage program targeting 6 Hz Theta, 20 Hz Beta, and 40 Hz Gamma to increase focus and intensity. - Fast Reflexes: Multi-stage program targeting high gamma frequencies to enhance reflexes and reaction time. - Eye/Hand Coordination: Multi-stage program focused on mid beta and high alpha frequencies to promote relaxed focused attention. - Endurance: Multi-stage Alpha, Beta, and Gamma program designed to increase your endurance and stamina. - Speed: Multi-stage program targeting very high gamma frequencies. - Rest and Recover: Multi-stage deep sleep program designed to enhance recovery after a workout. - Recovery Meditation: Multi-stage Alpha and Theta program designed to boost recovery and relaxation after a workout. ** 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 10 Hz Alpha frequency associated with relaxed alertness, but if you wear headphones with one side playing a 135 Hz tone and the other playing a 145 Hz tone, your brain will perceive the 10 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. Warning: Do not use this app while driving or operating machinery.
alphabeats
Enhance athletic performance with immersive mental training. This app uses neurofeedback and music to monitor and improve focus, flow, and recovery. Track progress, gain insights, and unlock your full potential.
- Neurofeedback and music training
- Enhance focus, flow, and recovery
- Track progress and gain insights
- Complete training programs
- Discover long-term trends
Read full descriptionHide full description
alphabeats - Immersive mental training for athletes Every athlete knows training the body is just one part of success. The mental game is often the defining quality to performance. That’s where alphabeats delivers a unique solution: immersive training that combines neurofeedback and music to monitor and enhance mental performance, including focus, flow, and recovery. Join us and transform the way you train your mind. With our intuitive interface, you can easily track your progress over time and get actionable insights to improve. Whether you're preparing for a competition or looking to enhance your daily regimen, our app provides the tools you need to unlock your full potential. - Increase alpha waves while listening to music - Complete training programs and sessions specific to your needs - Get daily insights and tips for improvement - Discover long-term trends and connections between alpha waves, mood, rest, relaxation, and life events Note: - A subscription is required to use alphabeats. - A BrainBit, Muse 2 or Muse S headband is also required to train with our app.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: alphabeats at Free against BrainWave's $3.99. alphabeats also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). BrainWave's advantage is review sentiment (87% vs 44%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On 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
alphabeats is free to download; BrainWave costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
BrainWave holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainWave has 367 ratings behind it against 36, 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 alphabeats's.
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, alphabeats every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and June 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BrainWave | alphabeats |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $3.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (367 ratings) — better | 4.5 (36 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 86.8% of reviews — better | 44.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 367 — better | 36 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid — better | Subscription |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 158 MB | 134 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Banzai Labs | AlphaBeats Works B.V. |
Customer experience
BrainWave
alphabeats
Bugs and requests
BrainWave
Reported bugs
4 issues- App stops playing in the background when not selected
- Apps freeze repeatedly under iOS26
- The speed program crashes
- App crashes when trying to start a cycle with the speed setting
Requested features
16 requests- Fix background playback issue
- Update app for iOS26
- Add a 'rise and shine' program
- Add ability to save specific playlists to specific programs
- Consolidate apps into one
Show 11 moreShow fewer
- Allow in-app purchases of sound collections
- More background sounds
- Greater ability to customize/blend sounds and save them
- Update to include similar offerings to AmbiScience for customization
- List frequencies or evidence of effectiveness
- List frequencies used
- Explain all possible effects of using a specific frequency
- Offer Isochronic Tones
- Allow use with own testing music (like Brain Waves 30)
- Choice for specific sports and explanation of benefits
- Make Dream Inducers free
alphabeats
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BrainWave
No in-app purchases
alphabeats
No in-app purchases









