# Lumosity vs Impulse

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Impulse at 849K against Lumosity's 130K. Impulse also leads on chart position (#13 vs #68). Lumosity's advantage is review sentiment (79% vs 69%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lumosity sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and Impulse sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Lumosity against 4.7 for Impulse. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Impulse has 849K ratings behind it against 130K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 79% of Lumosity's written reviews are positive against 69% of Impulse's.

Lumosity ships an update every 5 days, Impulse every 6 days. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lumosity | Impulse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (130K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lumosity-brain-training-games/id577232024/reviews) | [4.7 (849K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/impulse-brain-training/id1451295827/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 130K | **849K** |
| Positive reviews | **79.2% of reviews** | 69.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 6 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #68 | **#13** |
| Size | 255 MB | 249 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lumos Labs, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/297628735) | [GMRD Apps Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1518777345) |

## What reviewers say

### Lumosity

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lumosity-brain-training-games/id577232024)

**Currently charting:** #68 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

Engage your mind with a variety of science-based brain games and puzzles designed to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Personalized daily workouts and detailed performance insights help you track progress and achieve cognitive goals.

**Highlights:** 40+ adaptive brain games, Daily personalized workout plans, Performance insights, Progress tracking, Fit Test for baseline scores, Games by skill category

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lumosity Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Lumosity Premium | $11.99 | per month |
| Lumosity Premium | $35.99 | per year |
| Lumosity Premium | $54.99 | per year |
| Lumosity Premium | $69.99 | per year |
| Lumosity Premium | $89.00 | per year |
| Lumosity Premium | $89.00 | per year |
| One Month Subscription | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Challenging and engaging games
- 👍 Helps improve cognitive abilities
- 🧠 Effective brain training
- 💡 Variety of games and exercises
- 🧠 Noticeable improvements in memory and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🔒 Limited access to features without premium
- 🐛 Glitches and performance issues
- 🤔 Frustrating difficulty progression
- 🤔 Repetitive and unengaging at higher levels

**Reported bugs**

- Login and account issues
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Syncing problems between mobile and desktop
- Unreliable customer support

**Requested features**

- More free games and content
- Ability to slow down or adjust game difficulty
- Better performance and stability
- More detailed progress tracking and insights
- Ability to compete with friends


### Impulse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/impulse-brain-training/id1451295827)

**Currently charting:** #13 Top Grossing · Education, #53 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Enhance your cognitive abilities with personalized brain training games and puzzles. Discover your mental strengths and weaknesses through self-discovery tests, and track your progress over time to build a sharper mind.

**Highlights:** Personalized daily training plans, Memory & processing speed training, Attention & focus exercises, Mental math challenges, Problem-solving games, Cognitive profile discovery, IQ and personality tests

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ImpulsePRO  7 days | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Access | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Access | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Access | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| ImpulsePRO  1 week | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| ImpulsePRO  1 month, 25% off | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Access | $15.99 | per year |
| Premium Access | $24.99 | per year |
| Premium Access | $28.99 | per year |
| PRO  1 year, special offer | $29.49 | per year |
| ImpulsePRO  52 weeks | $29.99 | per year |
| Premium Access | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium Access | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🤩 Engaging and fun brain games
- 🧠 Helpful for improving focus, memory, and cognitive abilities
- 📈 Tracks progress and compares to peers
- 🧘‍♀️ Relaxing and calming experience
- 🏆 Motivating to improve scores and skills

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model, with limited free access
- 🤖 Misleading ads and paywalls for test results
- 🙄 Excessive ads and upselling in free version
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel subscription
- 🤨 Questionable accuracy of personality/IQ tests

**Reported bugs**

- Inconsistent progress tracking and level completion
- Crashes and freezes, especially on older devices
- Subscription issues and unexpected charges

**Requested features**

- More varied and challenging brain games
- Personalized training plans based on user needs
- Family sharing and multi-user support
- Better integration of test results and game performance
- Improved night mode and accessibility features


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lumosity free?

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

### Is Impulse free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Lumosity or Impulse?

Lumosity and Impulse are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 130K and 849K ratings respectively.

### Do Lumosity or Impulse have ads?

Both Lumosity and Impulse show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Lumosity or Impulse?

Lumosity ships an update every 5 days, and Impulse every 6 days. Most recently, Lumosity was updated on September 24, 2026 and Impulse on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Lumosity or Impulse?

Lumosity currently peaks at #68 in the App Store charts, and Impulse at #13. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*