BrainHQ vs Brain Games
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Scientifically validated brain exercises
- Improves memory and processing speed
- Adaptive training adjusts to performance
- Daily free exercise
- Personalized brain fitness goals
- Flexible training sessions
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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
Brain Games
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BrainGames is a short daily workout for your memory, attention and mental math. It is made for adults who want a calm, simple routine: three different games a day, about 5–10 minutes, clear instructions and large text. A NEW WORKOUT EVERY DAY Each day the app picks 3 different games for you. Play them in a row and see your scores when the workout is done. The day is then marked as complete. The daily workout of 3 games is open to everyone. SIX GAMES • Memory – a few tiles light up on the grid. Remember where they were and tap them back. • Arithmetic – quick sums in your head, from simple addition to multi-step examples. • Stroop Test – name the ink color, not the word. A classic exercise for attention. • Word Memory – read a list of words, then pick them out from a longer list. • Odd One Out – four words, one doesn't belong. Find it. • Word Search – find the hidden words in a letter grid by swiping or tapping. DIFFICULTY THAT FOLLOWS YOU Every game has several levels. When you do well, the next session is a step harder; when you struggle, it steps back. Most games avoid repeating tasks you have just seen. YOUR PROGRESS Keep a streak of workout days, see completed days on a calendar and the number of games you have played. EASY TO READ Choose Standard, Large or Extra large text in Settings. The app also respects the text size set on your iPhone. GENTLE REMINDERS Turn on an optional reminder and pick the time that suits you. You can change or turn it off in Settings. 8 LANGUAGES, NO ADS The app and the game words are available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Portuguese (Brazil) and Russian. There are no ads. PREMIUM Premium unlocks all 6 games, so you can play any of them whenever you like. Without a subscription, you play the daily workout: the 3 games picked for that day, as many times as you like. One of the monthly plans includes a 3-day trial period for eligible new subscribers. When the trial period ends, the monthly price is charged to your Apple Account unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the trial period ends. Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless auto-renewal is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal in your Apple Account settings. BrainGames is a set of games for everyday practice. It is not a medical product and does not diagnose or treat any condition. Privacy Policy: https://braingamesplay.com/app/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://braingamesplay.com/app/terms/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is chart position: BrainHQ at #154 against Brain Games's unranked. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. BrainHQ sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $13.99 per month and Brain Games sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
BrainHQ ships an update every 2 months, Brain Games monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BrainHQ | Brain Games |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (22K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 47.5% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 22K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #154 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 172 MB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Posit Science | Vitaliia Velychko |
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
Brain Games
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BrainHQ
- BrainHQ$13.991 Month
- BrainHQ$94.991 Year
Brain Games
- Brain Games: 1 month Subscription3 Days trial$8.991 Month
- Brain Games: 1 month Subscription$8.991 Month
- Brain Games: Annual Subscription$39.991 Year









