# N'Back vs Retro N

The clearest difference is rating: Retro N at 5.0 against N'Back's 4.0. Retro N also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 70%) and device support (3 vs 1). N'Back's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. N'Back sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Retro N sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Retro N holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of N'Back's written reviews are positive against 100% of Retro N's.

N'Back ships an update every 9 months, Retro N every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | N'Back | Retro N |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nback/id591320567/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-n-back-memory-rangers/id1160120514/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **3** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 70.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 8 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 6 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Yasuyoshi Ota](https://appshunter.io/developer/1500357652) | [TELULU LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1160120513) |

## What reviewers say

### N'Back

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nback/id591320567)

Enhance sensory and working memory with this brain training application. It offers various modes to test your ability to recall sequences of numbers, progressing through different 'N' levels.

**Highlights:** Sensory memory improvement, Working memory enhancement, N'Back exercises, Flash Mode, Slow Mode, Step Mode

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Add Levels (3'Back-10'Back) and Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |


### Retro N

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-n-back-memory-rangers/id1160120514)

Engage in retro-style brain training that makes the N-back task enjoyable. Improve memory, focus, and emotional control through a superhero-themed game. Suitable for all ages, it offers a free, ad-supported experience with optional in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Retro 8-bit N-back gameplay, Improves memory and focus, Superhero Ranger theme, Up to 3 players on one device, No login or personal data collection, Minimal ads, child-safe

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Support for this app (100) | $0.49 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |
| Support for this app (500) | $2.99 | one-time |
| Support for this app (1000) | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is N'Back free?

N'Back is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Retro N free?

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

### Which has better reviews, N'Back or Retro N?

Retro N is rated higher. N'Back averages 4.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Retro N averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do N'Back or Retro N have ads?

Both N'Back and Retro N show ads.

### Which is updated more often, N'Back or Retro N?

N'Back ships an update every 9 months, and Retro N every 8 months. Most recently, N'Back was updated on September 11, 2026 and Retro N on September 10, 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.*