Comparison

BrainWave vs Brainwave Studio

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

Brainwave Studio

This app offers a system for relaxation, stress relief, sleep support, meditation, and mind training. It utilizes isochronic tones integrated into ambient music and nature sounds to help users achieve desired mental states. Choose from 40 sessions across 5 categories to find calm and focus.

Highlights
  • 40 brainwave entrainment sessions
  • Isochronic tone technology
  • 60 ambient nature sounds
  • 48 atmospheric music tracks
  • Customizable sound mixes
  • Universal app for iOS devices
Features
Read full description

Stressed out? Trouble sleeping? Distracting sounds at work or school? Need a relaxing break from a busy day? If your answered yes to any of those questions then Brainwave Studio is for you! Brainwave Studio is a professionally designed relaxation, stress relief, sleep support, meditation and mind training system, with 40 brainwave entrainment sessions of carefully selected nature sounds and superb quality ambient music. ________________________ How does it work? Brainwave Studio uses isochronic tones, widely regarded as the superior brainwave tone. Isochronic tones pulse at specific frequencies, and stimulate the brain to help you achieve your desired mental state. Unlike binaural beats, isochronic tones work through headphones or speakers. The isochronic tones are integrated into the backgrounds of beautiful, soothing melodies. Listen to the peaceful music while the tones automatically do their magic in the background. ________________________ Features - 5 categories: Relaxation, Sleep, Meditation, Stress and Anxiety, Mind Training - 40 brainwave entrainment sessions with dynamic isochronic tones - 60 soothing ambient sounds - 48 atmospheric music tracks (endless loops) - Universal app runs on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch - Saved soundscapes are synchronized using iCloud - Separate volume controls for every sound - Create customized sound mixes by combining ambient sounds together - High quality Retina graphics - AirPlay support - Multitasking support: play your favorite melodies while using other applications ________________________ 5 Categories With 40 Sessions - Relaxation: Quick relax ∙ Tension relief ∙ Lunch break relax ∙ After a busy day ∙ Relax before important event ∙ After high stress ∙ Before going to bed ∙ Deep evening relax - Stress and Anxiety: Quick stress relief ∙ Workplace stress relief ∙ Anxiety reduction ∙ Anxiety reduction before sleep ∙ Reduce anxiety before taking a test ∙ After work stress reduction ∙ Deep stress relief - Meditation: 7Hz Zen meditation ∙ Coffee break meditation ∙ Low-Alpha meditation ∙ Mid-Alpha meditation ∙ Theta meditation ∙ Delta meditation ∙ 7,83Hz Schumann rhythm meditation ∙ Deep Schumann rhythm meditation. - Sleep: Short anti-insomnia session ∙ Sleep induction ∙ Mental workers sleep support ∙ Hyperactive people sleep induction ∙ Sleep induction for insomniacs ∙ Clear your mind and fall asleep ∙ Deep sleep induction - Mind Training: Workout performance enhancer ∙ After-Workout recovery session ∙ Attention enhancer ∙ Mental workers support session ∙ Idea generation session ∙ Motivation enhancer ∙ Energy enhancer ∙ Creative tasks helper ∙ Concentration enhancer for studying ∙ Sensory-motor rhythm session. ________________________ 60 Ambient Sounds Birds ∙ Piano ∙ Cat ∙ City ∙ Clock ∙ Crickets ∙ Dolphins ∙ Fire ∙ Forest ∙ Frogs ∙ Heart ∙ Monk ∙ Music box ∙ Night ∙ Rain ∙ River ∙ Space ∙ Submarine ∙ Thunder ∙ Train ∙ Cave ∙ Water ∙ Whale ∙ White noise ∙ Wind ∙ Wind Chimes ∙ Jungle ∙ Flute ∙ African night ∙ Howling wolf ∙ Sea lion ∙ City park ∙ Lakeside ∙ Shopping mall ∙ Industrial ∙ Nightingale ∙ Spring birds ∙ Crowd ∙ Oscillating fan ∙ Swamp ∙ Dripping water ∙ Owls ∙ Tropical forest ∙ Factory ∙ PC fan ∙ Vacuum cleaner ∙ Fan ∙ Pirate ship ∙ Waterfall ∙ Fridge ∙ Pneumatic drill ∙ Waves ∙ Hair dryer ∙ Rain on window ∙ High Voltage ∙ Harbor ∙ Running water ∙ Winter blizzard ∙ Highway ∙ School If you have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to contact us at any time: info@rcs-software.com

Screenshots

BrainWave4 screens
Brainwave Studio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Brainwave Studio at free against BrainWave's paid. Brainwave Studio also leads on iOS requirement (7.0 vs 13.0). BrainWave's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and chart position (#157 vs unranked). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and 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

BrainWave costs $3.99 and Brainwave Studio $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 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 367 and 106 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of BrainWave's written reviews are positive against 84% of Brainwave Studio's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, Brainwave Studio every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
BrainWave versus Brainwave Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainWaveBrainwave Studio
Price$3.99$3.99
Rating4.8 (367 ratings) — better4.5 (106 ratings)
Positive reviews87.5% of reviews — better84.3% of reviews
Number of ratings367 — better106
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#157 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.07.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size158 MB376 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperBanzai LabsRCS LT

Customer experience

BrainWave

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

Brainwave Studio

All ratings106 ratings
Positive86.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative9.4%
Written reviews121 reviews
Positive84.3%
Neutral5.8%
Negative9.9%

User reviews

BrainWave

From 367 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Works well for fitness
  • 🧘‍♀️ Promotes tranquility and relief
  • 🎧 Calming and listenable soundscapes
  • 🎯 Improves hand-eye coordination
  • 💡 Game changer for sports

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Stops playing in background
  • 📉 Makes app useless for workouts
  • ⚠️ Apps freeze on iOS26
  • ⏳ Not being developed further
  • 🖼️ Outdated graphics

Brainwave Studio

From 106 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🎵 High-quality sounds and music variety
  • 🧠 Effective brainwave entrainment technology
  • 😴 Excellent for sleep and insomnia relief
  • 🎚️ Customizable sound mixing and layering
  • 🧘 Great for meditation and relaxation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes on newer iOS versions
  • ❌ No longer actively maintained by developer
  • 📱 Incompatible with iPhone 15 and iOS 16+
  • 🔇 App shuts down frequently, requires reinstalls
  • 📂 Missing content on newer devices

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

Brainwave Studio

Reported bugs

9 issues
  • App crashes on startup with iOS 16 and newer
  • Content missing on iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • Freezes after 30 seconds on newer devices
  • App closes when other audio apps are opened
  • Crashes when attempting to restore purchases
Show 4 more
  • Constant crashes requiring frequent reinstalls
  • Frequency range descriptions are inaccurate
  • Music stops playing if swiped left or stopped
  • High memory consumption on iPad

Requested features

12 requests
  • Background playback with phone screen off
  • Ability to layer with personal music library
  • Multitasking support with other audio apps
  • Timer and alarm functionality
  • Mac app version
Show 7 more
  • More isochronic tone programs
  • Lucid dreaming and motivation sessions
  • Custom mix saving functionality
  • Screen rotation support on iPad
  • Voice recording for personalized suggestions
  • More tasteful/elegant music selections
  • Wake-up mode for mornings

In-app purchases

None

BrainWave

No in-app purchases

None

Brainwave Studio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BrainWave free?
BrainWave costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Brainwave Studio free?
Brainwave Studio costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BrainWave or Brainwave Studio?
BrainWave is rated higher. BrainWave averages 4.8 out of 5 from 367 ratings, while Brainwave Studio averages 4.5 from 106 ratings.
Do BrainWave or Brainwave Studio have ads?
Neither BrainWave nor Brainwave Studio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BrainWave or Brainwave Studio?
BrainWave ships an update every 2 months, and Brainwave Studio every 5 weeks. Most recently, BrainWave was updated on October 1, 2026 and Brainwave Studio on September 29, 2026.

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