Comparison

mindLightz vs Expand

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

mindLightz

Transform your device into a light and sound machine. Mix binaural sounds, isochronic tones, and ambient effects with your own audio library. Create custom settings or use 84 preset programs for different brain states.

Highlights
  • Audio-Visual Stimulation (AVS)
  • Binaural sounds and isochronic tones
  • Customizable audio mixer
  • 25 built-in ambient sound effects
  • 84 preset programs
  • Manual mode for custom settings
Features
Read full description

The mindLightz AVS App (previously named iLightz) is the most advanced and user friendly platform for transforming your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch into a state of the art "light and sound" machine. This free App is, by itself, a Deluxe "Audio Mixer" allowing the user to combine and individually adjust the volume levels of our precisely produced binaural sounds or isochronic tones with any of 25 built-in ambient sound effects "mixed" with any audio file in your library. These capabilities alone make this App one of the very best and most versatile binaural sound generator Apps available today. With the purchase of our separately available mindLightz™ Bluetooth Glasses, users can experience the Planet's first completely wireless "Audio-Visual Stimulation" (AVS) system. By utilizing the power of Apple’s iOS, we have been able to simplify the user interface while delivering exciting new features and producing the most advanced and sophisticated AVS system available today. The mindLightz™ App includes 84 unique preset programs designed to help users achieve different brain-states. Additionally our "manual" mode allows you to easily create your own custom settings. Finally, we would like to ask all our users to please contact us first before leaving any negative reviews. Leaving a one star rating with a review only stating "App does not work" provides us no meaningful feedback or any way to investigate what maybe wrong. As we add new features and capabilities to our App and as Apple continues to update iOS and expand the number of devices, there is always the possibility of some problems or issues arising with our App and hardware. This, in fact, happened to a recent update which was approved just as Apple released iOS 8.3. Unfortunately, our update, which had been thoroughly tested, turn out not to "play" well with iOS 8.3. We immediately began working on a fix and had it released to the App Store within 1 week. Unfortunately, that was not fast enough as some users had already re-rated and re-reviewed our App negatively without ever contacting us. So, if you find a bug, or are having problems with our optional hardware, PLEASE contact us FIRST as we take ALL problems very seriously and will do whatever necessary to make things right, especially if it involves our iLightz II or mindLightz™ AVS hardware. Thank you for your help, understanding and continued support!

About

Expand

Access profound states of expanded awareness with guided meditations and proprietary sound science. Explore topics like relaxation, joy, insight, and sleep to foster meaning, relieve stress, and release unwanted patterns. Discover inner wisdom and joy through active imagination and perception.

Highlights
  • 100+ guided meditations
  • Monroe Sound Science audio technology
  • Multi-day mini-courses
  • Guided reflection and journaling
  • Custom-generated soundscapes
  • Focus on active imagination and perception
Features
Read full description

From the world-renowned Monroe Institute, Expand helps you access deeper states of awareness to reduce stress, improve sleep, and cultivate greater meaning, clarity, and purpose. Powered by Monroe Sound Science, our proprietary audio technology, Expand uses targeted soundwave patterns to support unique states of consciousness and focused inner exploration. Through guided sessions, courses, and immersive sound experiences, you can uncover insight, release unwanted patterns, and reconnect with your inner wisdom. Inside Expand, you’ll find: • 100+ guided meditations and consciousness-expanding exercises • Multi-day mini-courses and structured practice paths • Guided reflection and journaling tools • Custom-generated soundscapes designed for specific brainwave states • Programs for both beginners and experienced practitioners Explore sessions across topics including: • Relaxation & Healing • Joy & Meaning • Insight & Intuition • Sleep & Dreaming • Healthy Relationships • Creativity & Manifestation • Beyond the Physical Unlike typical meditation apps focused only on clearing the mind, Expand encourages active imagination, perception, and intentional practice to help you achieve specific outcomes. About The Monroe Institute The Monroe Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a global leader in the study and practice of expanded consciousness. Founded in the early 1970s as a research and educational organization, Monroe offers transformative learning through the Expand app, virtual programs, and in-person retreats on its 300-acre Virginia campus and in countries worldwide. Subscription Pricing and Terms Expand offers auto-renewing subscription options: • $69.99/year • $11.99/month Payment is charged to your App Store account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged within 24 hours prior to renewal. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Terms of Service: https://info.monroeinstitute.org/expand-app-terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://info.monroeinstitute.org/expand-app-privacy-policy

Screenshots

mindLightz4 screens
Expand4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: mindLightz at 4.6 against Expand's 4.0. mindLightz also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ads (none vs shown). Expand's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (300 vs 85). On price 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

Both are free to download. Expand sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month. mindLightz asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

mindLightz holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 85 and 300 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of mindLightz's written reviews are positive against 50% of Expand's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

mindLightz ships an update every 4 months, Expand monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
mindLightz versus Expand: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametermindLightzExpand
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (85 ratings) — better4.0 (300 ratings)
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better49.7% of reviews
Number of ratings85300 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB67 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperMind GearTHE MONROE INSTITUTE

Customer experience

mindLightz

All ratings82 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral2.4%
Negative7.3%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral2.8%
Negative22.2%

Expand

All ratings297 ratings
Positive73.4%
Neutral6.1%
Negative20.5%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive49.7%
Neutral12.1%
Negative38.2%

Bugs and requests

mindLightz

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Expand

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Paid but no play
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • Sound shuts off when the iphone goes to sleep

Requested features

4 requests
  • Longer guided meditations
  • What's new section for meditations
  • Ability to turn off background music
  • Monthly charge option

In-app purchases

None

mindLightz

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Expand

Subscriptions2
  • Expand Plus Monthly$11.991 Month
  • Expand Plus Yearly$69.991 Year

Questions

Is mindLightz free?
mindLightz is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Expand free?
Expand is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, mindLightz or Expand?
mindLightz is rated higher. mindLightz averages 4.6 out of 5 from 85 ratings, while Expand averages 4.0 from 300 ratings.
Do mindLightz or Expand have ads?
Expand shows ads; mindLightz does not.
Which is updated more often, mindLightz or Expand?
mindLightz ships an update every 4 months, and Expand monthly. Most recently, mindLightz was updated on October 23, 2026 and Expand on October 29, 2026.

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