Comparison

BrainWave vs Neuraform

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 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.

Highlights
  • Multi-stage binaural programs
  • Progressive brainwave entrainment algorithms
  • Adjustable brainwave intensity
  • Multiple ambient background sounds
  • Customizable timer options
  • Automatic saving of preferences
Features
Read 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.

About

Neuraform

This app uses binaural beats played through headphones to help users achieve specific mental states like relaxation, sleep, or enhanced focus. Create and share custom sound sessions with a built-in studio and background tracks.

Highlights
  • Binaural beat technology
  • Relaxation and sleep sessions
  • Concentration and focus enhancement
  • Custom session studio
  • Background track library
  • Community sharing
Read full description

Neuraform brings digital brainwave entrainment tools to the masses without the need for any additional equipment other than a pair of headphones and a mobile device. This capability is enabled through a phenomenon known as binaural beats, which occurs within the brain when two separate frequencies are played into each ear. The brain receives these sounds and perceives a third tone – the difference between the two frequencies. The difference in frequencies played in each ear correlates to the desired brainwave of the user. These effects are welcoming, not overwhelming, and typically take around fifteen minutes to be felt by most users. For example, the Neuraform plays at 510hz within the left ear, and 516hz within the right ear. The difference in frequencies is 6hz, whose correlating brainwave is associated with REM sleep, thus this particular session would aid users in neurologically slipping into a sleepy state of consciousness and would engage the brainwaves responsible for REM sleep. Neuraform’s relaxation and sleep sessions deliver a frequency within the Delta and Theta brainwave spectrum between 2hz-8hz. By targeting specific frequencies known to induce certain mental states, Neuraform is able to help users fall asleep quicker, induce REM sleep, enhance lucid dream states, meditate, or even just simply de-stress. Neuraform’s concentration sessions enable enhanced concentration and focus – and are a perfect pairing with study or work. These sessions increase and enhance brainwaves within the alpha range – the dominant brainwave during study and work. Create your own sessions with the session studio, and add some background noise with Neuraform's curated library of background tracks. Perfect the mix with Neuraform's mixer palette, and share your session with friends and the wider Neuraform community.

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
Neuraform4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Neuraform at Free against BrainWave's $3.99. BrainWave's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.2) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Neuraform is free to download; BrainWave costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BrainWave holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainWave has 368 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of BrainWave's written reviews are positive against 57% of Neuraform's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Neuraform every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
BrainWave versus Neuraform: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWaveNeuraform
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (368 ratings) — better4.2 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings368 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB33 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperBanzai LabsOuttakes

Customer experience

BrainWave

All ratings367 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral1.4%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral5.0%
Negative7.5%

Neuraform

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

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 more
  • 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

Neuraform

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

None

Neuraform

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Neuraform free?
Neuraform is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Neuraform?
BrainWave is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.8 out of 5 from 368 ratings, while Neuraform averages 4.2 from 10 ratings.
Do BrainWave or Neuraform have ads?
Neuraform shows ads; BrainWave does not.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Neuraform?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Neuraform every 5 months. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on November 10, 2026 and Neuraform on November 3, 2026.

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