# BrainHQ vs Hearing Number

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hearing Number at none against BrainHQ's 2. Hearing Number also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.6). BrainHQ's advantage is ratings volume (22K vs 588) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. BrainHQ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month. Hearing Number asks for nothing beyond the download.

Hearing Number holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainHQ has 22K ratings behind it against 588, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 48% of BrainHQ's written reviews are positive against 43% of Hearing Number's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

BrainHQ ships an update every 2 months, Hearing Number every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | BrainHQ | Hearing Number |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (22K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainhq/id537452201/reviews) | **[4.9 (588 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hearing-number/id6630381789/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **22K** | 588 |
| Positive reviews | **47.5% of reviews** | 42.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 172 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Posit Science](https://appshunter.io/developer/329913981) | [Mimi Hearing Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/855322101) |

## 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


### Hearing Number

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hearing-number/id6630381789)

Assess your hearing ability by determining the softest sound you can hear in each ear. Understand your unique Hearing Numbers to better protect your hearing and improve communication. Track changes over time and encourage others to take charge of their hearing wellness.

**Highlights:** Measure Hearing Numbers, Track hearing changes over time, Protect hearing wellness, Share with friends and family, Learn about hearing health

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BrainHQ free?

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

### Is Hearing Number free?

Hearing Number is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, BrainHQ or Hearing Number?

Hearing Number is rated higher. BrainHQ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while Hearing Number averages 4.9 from 588 ratings.

### Do BrainHQ or Hearing Number have ads?

Neither BrainHQ nor Hearing Number shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BrainHQ or Hearing Number?

BrainHQ ships an update every 2 months, and Hearing Number every 3 months. Most recently, BrainHQ was updated on October 20, 2026 and Hearing Number on October 20, 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.*