# BrainWave vs Brainwave Studio

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.

BrainWave costs $3.99 and Brainwave Studio $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. 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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrainWave | Brainwave Studio |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | $3.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (367 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainwave-neuro-trainer/id405583668/reviews)** | [4.5 (106 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainwave-studio/id628372092/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **367** | 106 |
| Positive reviews | **87.5% of reviews** | 84.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#157** | — |
| Size | 158 MB | 376 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **7.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Banzai Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/305909501) | [RCS LT](https://appshunter.io/developer/524673892) |

## What reviewers say

### BrainWave

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainwave-neuro-trainer/id405583668)

**Currently charting:** #157 Top Paid · Health & Fitness (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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- 🖼️ Outdated graphics

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### Brainwave Studio

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainwave-studio/id628372092)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎵 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*