# BrainHQ vs AARP Staying Sharp

The clearest difference is ads: BrainHQ at none against AARP Staying Sharp's shown. BrainHQ also leads on ratings volume (22K vs 3K). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BrainHQ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month and AARP Staying Sharp sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $20.00 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for BrainHQ against 4.7 for AARP Staying Sharp. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainHQ has 22K ratings behind it against 3K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 48% of BrainHQ's written reviews are positive against 52% of AARP Staying Sharp's.

BrainHQ ships an update every 2 months, AARP Staying Sharp every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrainHQ | AARP Staying Sharp |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (22K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainhq/id537452201/reviews) | **[4.7 (3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aarp-staying-sharp/id1583055598/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **22K** | 3K |
| Positive reviews | 47.8% of reviews | **52.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 173 MB | 76 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Posit Science](https://appshunter.io/developer/329913981) | [AARP](https://appshunter.io/developer/394286732) |

## What reviewers say

### BrainHQ

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainhq/id537452201)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BrainHQ | $13.99 | per month |
| BrainHQ | $94.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

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


### AARP Staying Sharp

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aarp-staying-sharp/id1583055598)

This app offers science-based challenges and expert advice to improve brain health, focusing on memory, focus, and digital well-being. It provides interactive tools and exercises to help users build lasting, brain-healthy habits.

**Highlights:** Science-based brain health challenges, Expert advice on memory and focus, Digital decluttering strategies, Interactive tools and exercises, Progress saving across devices, Earn AARP Rewards points

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Wallet

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AARP Membership | $20.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful and practical exercises
- 🧠 Effective for improving mental sharpness
- 🎮 Fun and engaging games
- 🔍 Useful for monitoring brain health
- 💡 Recommended by healthcare professionals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Recurring login issues
- 🚫 Limited game selection
- 🔁 Endless login loops
- 🤯 Confusing user experience
- 🚫 Inaccessible games

**Reported bugs**

- Games not launching properly
- App freezing or crashing
- Inability to access core features

**Requested features**

- Expand game library
- Improve login and navigation experience
- Add more accessibility features
- Provide clearer instructions and guidance


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BrainHQ free?

BrainHQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is AARP Staying Sharp free?

AARP Staying Sharp is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, BrainHQ or AARP Staying Sharp?

AARP Staying Sharp is rated higher. BrainHQ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while AARP Staying Sharp averages 4.7 from 3K ratings.

### Do BrainHQ or AARP Staying Sharp have ads?

AARP Staying Sharp shows ads; BrainHQ does not.

### Which is updated more often, BrainHQ or AARP Staying Sharp?

BrainHQ ships an update every 2 months, and AARP Staying Sharp every 5 weeks. Most recently, BrainHQ was updated on September 29, 2026 and AARP Staying Sharp on September 28, 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.*