Comparison

BrainHQ vs Healthy Minds Program by Humin

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

Head to head
About

BrainHQ

This app offers a scientifically-backed brain training program designed to improve cognitive functions like memory, attention, and processing speed. It features adaptive exercises that adjust to your performance, fitting into your daily routine with sessions as short as five minutes.

Highlights
  • Scientifically validated brain exercises
  • Improves memory and processing speed
  • Adaptive training adjusts to performance
  • Daily free exercise
  • Personalized brain fitness goals
  • Flexible training sessions
Features
Read full description

Train your brain with BrainHQ from Posit Science—the most rigorous program available for better brain health, and the only one backed by more than 100 scientific papers showing benefits - including the breakthrough NIH-funded ACTIVE study. Now with new features that contribute to your brain fitness success!

 BrainHQ represents the culmination of 30 years of research in neuroscience and brain health. Top scientists from around the world helped to develop and test the BrainHQ exercises. The result: a training system that comprehensively improves brain performance, from the most basic elements of perception through the most complex elements of memory, attention, and cognitive function.

 No other brain fitness program can match BrainHQ in scientific proof. More than 100 publications from independent, randomized controlled trials have shown that the exercises and assessments in BrainHQ drive real change. These changes include: • cognitive improvements, such as better memory and faster processing speed • real-world improvements, including safer driving and improved quality of life • physical brain changes, like healthier white matter and more coordinated neurons. 
 All of this means that BrainHQ works—in laboratory studies, and in the lives of everyday people:

 •"BrainHQ is a no-brainer must-have in my book…This training has expanded my visual, fine-tuned my audio and even my reflexes seem to be getting faster. BrainHQ is fun and gives me the challenges I need to keep my brain working out on a daily basis." - C. MacDonald

 •"Only a few months into the BrainHQ exercises the difference is clear, this isn’t left to speculation, I saw drastic improvements…and my family has noticed a strong improvement." - A. Amitrano

 And leading publications agree: “Our testers concluded that Posit's product—one of the few so far to undergo clinical trials and peer-reviewed research—had the firmest scientific grounding.” - Wall Street Journal
 The BrainHQ app helps you set and achieve your brain training goals—so it not only works, it works for you.
 Each exercise adapts to your performance and gets more challenging as your performance improves, just like a personal trainer for your brain.
 The training is designed to fit into your life: train for just 5 minutes in your spare time, or do a complete workout in an hour. 
BrainHQ is a free download, and includes a free exercise every day. 
For full access, we offer the following recurring subscription options:

 1 month: $13.99
 1 year: $94.99

 These prices are for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on your country or residence. 

Monthly subscription are billed once per month, and an annual subscriptions are billed once per year. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Privacy Policy: https://www.brainhq.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.brainhq.com/terms

About

Healthy Minds Program by Humin

This app offers science-backed meditation and mindfulness practices to improve focus, reduce stress, and enhance social connections. It features guided lessons and assessments based on neuroscientific research, designed to fit into busy lifestyles.

Highlights
  • Science-backed meditation practices
  • Guided lessons on focus and stress reduction
  • Neuroscientific well-being framework
  • Active meditation for busy lives
  • Mobile mental and emotional well-being assessments
  • Integration with Apple Health
Features
Read full description

• 2024 Pick: Best Meditation App by Healthline, The New York Times Wirecutter, Vogue, and Sports Illustrated Well-being is a skill that can be learned. We’re here to guide you along the way. Backed by four decades of research from world-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Richard Davidson and the team at Humin (formerly Healthy Minds Innovations) & the Center for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin—Madison, the Healthy Minds Program trains your mind through meditation and podcast-style lessons to develop skills for gaining focus, reducing stress, and maintaining positive social connections. Research with the Healthy Minds App showed that just 5 minutes a day of practice leads to a 28% reduction in stress, an 18% reduction in anxiety, a 24% reduction in depression, and a 13% increase in social connection. Featuring our scientific Awareness, Connection, Insight, and Purpose, Well-being Framework, the Healthy Minds Program is a holistic, all-encompassing meditation app that offers the best of both guided meditations and opportunities to learn. You’ll learn simple skills to enhance personal well-being, build healthy relationships, and improve communication, performance, and creativity. –––––––––––––––––––––––––– What makes us unique? Developed from Science: While many meditation apps can claim the scientific benefits of meditation, our practices are developed directly from neuroscientific research. You’ll also hear from the world’s foremost neuroscientists about neuroplasticity and how to train your mind. Made for Busy Lives: Our app features active meditation practices that fit into your busy lifestyle. Don’t have time to sit for 20 minutes? Put on an active practice and train your mind while you fold the laundry. Guided by Measurement: Thanks to our pioneering scientific research, the Healthy Minds Program offers the first mobile mental and emotional well-being assessments. Learn about your current level of well-being and contribute to cutting-edge research on the science of well-being. Our app also integrates with Apple Health to track your mindful minutes. Goes Beyond Mindfulness: Our guided path offers step-by-step instructions for becoming more present in the moment and developing a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection in life. Driven by Mission and Supported by Donation: The Healthy Minds Program is made possible by our donors, who support our vision of a kinder, wiser, more compassionate world. Unlike other apps that require a subscription, the Healthy Minds Program is available by donation, driven by a mission to translate science into tools to cultivate and measure well-being. –––––––––––––––––––––––––– Read the End User License Agreement and Terms of Use here: https://hminnovations.org/terms-of-use Read our Privacy Policy here: https://hminnovations.org/privacy-policy

Screenshots

BrainHQ4 screens
Healthy Minds Program by Humin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Healthy Minds Program by Humin at 96% against BrainHQ's 48%. Healthy Minds Program by Humin also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). BrainHQ's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, monetization model 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. BrainHQ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month. Healthy Minds Program by Humin asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Healthy Minds Program by Humin holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22K and 8.5K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of BrainHQ's written reviews are positive against 96% of Healthy Minds Program by Humin's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BrainHQ ships an update every 2 months, Healthy Minds Program by Humin every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
BrainHQ versus Healthy Minds Program by Humin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainHQHealthy Minds Program by Humin
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (22K ratings)4.9 (8.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.8% of reviews95.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings22K — better8.5K
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size173 MB65 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperPosit ScienceHealthy Minds Innovations, Inc.

Customer experience

BrainHQ

All ratings21,975 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews383 reviews
Positive47.8%
Neutral17.2%
Negative35.0%

Healthy Minds Program by Humin

All ratings8,102 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral0.9%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews613 reviews
Positive95.8%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.8%

User reviews

BrainHQ

From 22K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🧠 Scientifically-backed brain exercises
  • 🤓 Challenging and engaging games
  • 🧠 Noticeable cognitive improvements
  • 👍 Customizable training focus
  • 🤝 Responsive customer support

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🤔 Unclear instructions and scoring
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 🙈 Limited free version
  • 🎨 Lack of diversity in some exercises

Healthy Minds Program by Humin

From 8.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Best meditation app
  • 🚀 Flexible and customizable
  • 💡 Science-based approach
  • 🙌 Excellent for beginners
  • 🧠 Improves focus and awareness

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional technical issues
  • 🕰️ Meditations could use more silence
  • 🤖 Narrator can speak too fast at times

Bugs and requests

BrainHQ

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Frequent app crashes
  • Audio issues on iOS
  • Inconsistent performance across devices
  • Progress reset issues

Requested features

5 requests
  • Apple Watch app
  • Apple TV app
  • Better progress tracking in-app
  • Customizable difficulty levels
  • More diverse representation in exercises

Healthy Minds Program by Humin

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Progress not always saved correctly
  • Connectivity issues causing data loss

Requested features

3 requests
  • Offline mode for meditations
  • Ability to bookmark favorite sessions
  • More personalization options

In-app purchases

2 purchases

BrainHQ

Subscriptions2
  • BrainHQ$13.991 Month
  • BrainHQ$94.991 Year
None

Healthy Minds Program by Humin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BrainHQ free?
BrainHQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Healthy Minds Program by Humin free?
Healthy Minds Program by Humin is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BrainHQ or Healthy Minds Program by Humin?
Healthy Minds Program by Humin is rated higher. BrainHQ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while Healthy Minds Program by Humin averages 4.9 from 8.5K ratings.
Do BrainHQ or Healthy Minds Program by Humin have ads?
Healthy Minds Program by Humin shows ads; BrainHQ does not.
Which is updated more often, BrainHQ or Healthy Minds Program by Humin?
BrainHQ ships an update every 2 months, and Healthy Minds Program by Humin every 3 weeks. Most recently, BrainHQ was updated on October 2, 2026 and Healthy Minds Program by Humin on October 3, 2026.

Other comparisons