BrainHQ vs Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c)
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
Read full descriptionHide 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
Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c)
This app provides short, voice-coached exercise routines designed to be done anywhere, anytime. It offers over 60 exercises across various focus areas like general fitness, Tai Chi, and bed exercises, with modifications for different needs and abilities.
- Voice-coached routines
- 60+ exercises
- Specialized focus areas
- Modifications for various needs
- Progress tracking
- Wearable sync
- Health reports
Read full descriptionHide full description
Exercise Snacks for Health & Wellbeing Two minutes. Every hour. That's all it takes. Exercise Snacks reminds you to move for just 2 minutes every hour with voice-coached routines you can do anywhere — at your desk, in bed, on a plane, or in a wheelchair. Science shows that brief movement breaks improve blood sugar, blood pressure, energy, mood, and cardiovascular fitness. And because each snack is only 2 minutes, you'll actually do it. 60+ VOICE-COACHED EXERCISES A friendly voice guides you through every movement. No equipment needed. No changing clothes. No gym. SPECIALIZED FOCUS AREAS - General — Full body desk and standing exercises for everyone - Tai Chi — Slow, flowing movements for balance, calm, and morning energy. Now includes Qigong-inspired warm-up flows - Airplane — Seated and standing exercises for long flights. New: bulkhead stretches and yes, restroom squats - Bed Exercises — Gentle lying-down movements for limited mobility, recovery, or morning warm-up. Now includes strap-assisted leg work — no leg strength required - Wheelchair — Full upper body and core workouts from your chair. New exercises for strength, mobility, and optional leg activation - Sleep Apnea — Tongue, throat, and jaw exercises shown to reduce sleep apnea severity ROUND OUT YOUR DAY New in 1.0.4: The app now tracks which muscle groups you've worked throughout the day and suggests exercises from other focus areas to ensure complete full body coverage. BUILT FOR REAL BODIES - Modifications for bad knees, bad backs, and shoulder issues - Wheelchair-friendly seated workouts — no standing ever required - Bed exercises for limited mobility and recovery - Strap-assisted exercises — arms do the work, no leg strength needed - Gentle options for older adults and those returning to movement TRACK YOUR PROGRESS - Daily and weekly streak tracking - Completed snack history - Wearable sync — Apple Watch, Fitbit, Garmin, Oura Ring - PDF and FHIR R4 health reports to share with your doctor AS FEATURED IN The Washington Post — research shows exercise snacking rivals traditional workouts for cardiovascular health. Download free. Start with one snack. Your body will thank you.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c) at 100% against BrainHQ's 48%. Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c) also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). BrainHQ's advantage is ratings volume (22K vs 7). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c) asks for nothing beyond the download.
Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c) 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 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 48% of BrainHQ's written reviews are positive against 100% of Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c)'s.
BrainHQ ships an update every 2 months, Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c) every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BrainHQ | Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (22K ratings) | 5.0 (7 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 47.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 22K — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 172 MB | 54 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Posit Science | Mary Gill |
Customer experience
BrainHQ
Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c)
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
Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c)
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BrainHQ
- BrainHQ$13.991 Month
- BrainHQ$94.991 Year
Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c)
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is BrainHQ free?
Is Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c) free?
Which has better reviews, BrainHQ or Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c)?
Do BrainHQ or Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c) have ads?
Which is updated more often, BrainHQ or Exercise Snacks (b9ec6c)?
Other comparisons















