Comparison

BrainHQ vs DJEMBE FLOW

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

DJEMBE FLOW

Learn and practice djembe drumming with a comprehensive collection of lessons, exercises, and rhythms. Access content from a renowned instructor, track your progress, and enjoy offline sync. Suitable for all devices.

Highlights
  • Technique practice exercises
  • 5-minute lessons from global workshops
  • Live lessons with phrases and breaks
  • Worldwide curriculum access
  • Rhythms, solos, and audio tracks
  • Progress tracking
  • Offline sync
Features
Read full description

Created by Kelvin Kew, DJEMBE FLOW is an app to learn and practice djembe playing through an array of contents such as: - Technique Practice (Practice exercises for daily progress) - 5 Mins Lessons (Contents from Kelvin's classes and workshops around the world) - Live Lessons with solo phrases and unison breaks - TTM Djembe Academy worldwide curriculum designed by Kelvin - and many more! WATCH ON ANY DEVICE Use your phone, tablet or laptop at no extra cost. You can even organise practice groups and broadcast the contents of this app on a TV to play along together. INSTANT ACCESS Rhythms, Solos, Audio Tracks with new content updated every month. Whether you are a student or teacher, this can be your go-to reference for djembe playing contents. All in the convenience of an app in your pocket anytime, anywhere. A student of the late Mamady Keïta, Kelvin has created djembe performance group Fanka Fellas and Asia All Star for Africa, and has been teaching workshops worldwide since 2011. Kelvin now leads Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy and Djembe Singapore Club. INFORMATION ABOUT THE APP AND PURCHASE OPTIONS By signing up, you will get access to subscription(s) that include features such as progress tracking, and offline sync. The download of DJEMBE FLOW is free of charge. No free trial offered. Should you use DJEMBE FLOW app to access in-app content via available subscription(s), a payment will be charged to your credit card through your App Store account . A subscription renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours prior to the end of the subscription period. There is no increase in price when renewing. Subscription(s) can be managed and auto-renewal turned off in Account Settings in the App Store after purchase. Read our full Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy: https://passion.io/terms-of-service https://passion.io/privacy-policy

Screenshots

BrainHQ4 screens
DJEMBE FLOW3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: BrainHQ at none against DJEMBE FLOW's shown. BrainHQ also leads on ratings volume (22K vs 1). DJEMBE FLOW's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 and DJEMBE FLOW sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $9.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DJEMBE FLOW holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainHQ has 22K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
BrainHQ versus DJEMBE FLOW: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainHQDJEMBE FLOW
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (22K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings22K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size173 MB90 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperPosit ScienceKelvin Kew

Customer experience

BrainHQ

All ratings21,975 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews381 reviews
Positive47.8%
Neutral17.3%
Negative34.9%

DJEMBE FLOW

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

DJEMBE FLOW

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

BrainHQ

Subscriptions2
  • BrainHQ$13.991 Month
  • BrainHQ$94.991 Year
11 purchases

DJEMBE FLOW

Subscriptions8
  • FLOW RHYTHM$9.001 Month
  • HUNGARY Community Plan$16.001 Month
  • DSC Students$16.001 Month
Show 5 more
  • Kimchi Djembe Club$16.001 Month
  • FLOW SOLO$19.001 Month
  • TTMDA Modules$28.001 Month
  • FLOW LESSONS$29.001 Month
  • ALL ACCESS Monthly Plan7 Days trial$38.001 Month
One-time3
  • No Commitment Plan$5.99
  • Onetime Plan$30.00
  • Double or Nothing$196.99

Questions

Is BrainHQ free?
BrainHQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DJEMBE FLOW free?
DJEMBE FLOW is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BrainHQ or DJEMBE FLOW?
DJEMBE FLOW is rated higher. BrainHQ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while DJEMBE FLOW averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do BrainHQ or DJEMBE FLOW have ads?
DJEMBE FLOW shows ads; BrainHQ does not.
Which is updated more often, BrainHQ or DJEMBE FLOW?
BrainHQ ships an update every 2 months, and DJEMBE FLOW every 2 months. Most recently, BrainHQ was updated on September 27, 2026 and DJEMBE FLOW on June 4, 2026.

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