Comparison

BrainHQ vs Dual N Back Brain Game

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

Dual N Back Brain Game

This cognitive training app challenges your working memory with scientifically inspired exercises. It helps improve focus, memory, and mental agility through quick, distraction-free sessions. Ideal for students, professionals, or anyone seeking to enhance their cognitive abilities.

Highlights
  • Minimalist interface for focus
  • Visual and audio pattern matching
  • Detailed progress tracking
  • Short 3-minute sessions
  • Ad-free and distraction-free experience
Read full description

Train Your Brain with Dual N-Back Elevate your focus, memory, and mental agility in just minutes a day. Dual N-Back is a cognitive training app designed to challenge your working memory through an engaging and scientifically inspired exercise. Whether you're a student, a professional, or just someone looking to think faster and focus better, this app offers a streamlined, distraction-free way to sharpen your mind. Key Features: Simple, Minimal Interface Designed for clarity and focus. No clutter—just clean visuals and intuitive controls. Visual & Audio Matching Train your ability to track visual and auditory patterns simultaneously—essential for real-world multitasking. Insightful Progress Tracking View detailed graphs for accuracy, and N-level progression. Quick Sessions Each session takes around 3 minutes, perfect for consistent daily practice. No Ads, No Distractions 100% focused experience. Your time and attention go into training—not watching ads. Whether you’re aiming to boost your academic performance, stay sharp at work, or simply improve your memory, Dual N-Back is your daily mental workout. Start training today. Think faster tomorrow.

Screenshots

BrainHQ4 screens
Dual N Back Brain Game4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Dual N Back Brain Game at 88% against BrainHQ's 47%. Dual N Back Brain Game also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). BrainHQ's advantage is ratings volume (22K vs 5) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads 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. Dual N Back Brain Game asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dual N Back Brain Game holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainHQ has 22K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of BrainHQ's written reviews are positive against 88% of Dual N Back Brain Game's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
BrainHQ versus Dual N Back Brain Game: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBrainHQDual N Back Brain Game
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (22K ratings)4.8 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews47.2% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings22K — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size172 MB24 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperPosit ScienceCarlos Garcia

Customer experience

BrainHQ

All ratings21,963 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews390 reviews
Positive47.2%
Neutral17.2%
Negative35.6%

Dual N Back Brain Game

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

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

Dual N Back Brain Game

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

BrainHQ

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

Dual N Back Brain Game

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BrainHQ free?
BrainHQ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Dual N Back Brain Game free?
Dual N Back Brain Game is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BrainHQ or Dual N Back Brain Game?
Dual N Back Brain Game is rated higher. BrainHQ averages 4.6 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while Dual N Back Brain Game averages 4.8 from 5 ratings.
Do BrainHQ or Dual N Back Brain Game have ads?
Neither BrainHQ nor Dual N Back Brain Game shows ads.

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