Comparison

N'Back vs NBack Buddy

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

N'Back

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
Read full description

Improve Sensory Memory & Working Memory using N'Back. ◆Flash Mode / Slow Mode / Step Mode Tap the number key matches the one from N steps earlier in the sequence. In 1'Back 1 task1: count & memorize 2 task2: count & memorize 3 __keyboard__: answer for task1 4 task3: count & memorize 5 __keyboard__: answer for task2 6 task4: count & memorize : In 2'Back 1 task1: count & memorize 2 task2: count & memorize 3 task3: count & memorize 4 __keyboard__: answer for task1 5 task4: count & memorize 6 __keyboard__: answer for task2 7 task5: count & memorize :

About

NBack Buddy

This app offers scientifically validated training for working memory using the N-Back task. It features multiple stimulus types, adjustable difficulty, and detailed performance tracking in a distraction-free interface.

Highlights
  • N-Back working memory training
  • Multiple stimulus modalities
  • Adjustable difficulty levels (1-9 back)
  • Distraction-free interface
  • Performance tracking and statistics
  • Data export for research
Features
Read full description

N-Back Buddy: Scientific Working Memory Training N-Back Buddy is a professional implementation of the N-Back task, one of the most well-researched cognitive training paradigms for working memory enhancement. Originally developed by Wayne Kirchner in 1958 and popularized by Susanne Jaeggi's research, the N-Back task has become a cornerstone tool in cognitive psychology and neuroscience research. What is the N-Back Task? The N-Back task challenges your working memory by requiring you to remember and match stimuli from N steps back in a sequence. As the "N" increases (1-back, 2-back, 3-back, etc.), the cognitive demand increases proportionally, making it an excellent adaptive training tool for working memory capacity. Key Features: Multiple stimulus modalities (visual, auditory, dual N-Back) Adjustable difficulty levels (1-back through 9-back) Clean, distraction-free interface optimized for testing Comprehensive performance tracking and statistics Configurable session duration and stimulus timing Export data for research analysis No ads, no subscriptions - designed for serious use Who Uses N-Back Buddy? Cognitive psychology researchers conducting working memory studies Neuroscience labs investigating executive function Clinical researchers studying cognitive training interventions Students and professionals seeking evidence-based brain training Anyone interested in scientifically-validated cognitive enhancement Research-Grade Implementation: N-Back Buddy follows established protocols from the cognitive psychology literature, ensuring that the task parameters match those used in published research. This makes it suitable for both personal cognitive training and as a research tool in academic settings. Privacy First: All data stays on your device. Optional data export allows you to analyze your performance using your preferred tools. Whether you're a researcher needing a reliable N-Back implementation, a student learning about working memory, or someone committed to evidence-based cognitive training, N-Back Buddy provides the tools you need in a professional, no-nonsense package.

Screenshots

N'Back4 screens
NBack Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: N'Back at Free against NBack Buddy's $1.99. NBack Buddy's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume 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

N'Back is free to download; NBack Buddy costs $1.99 up front. N'Back sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NBack Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NBack Buddy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
N'Back versus NBack Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterN'BackNBack Buddy
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 9 months—
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.014.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYasuyoshi OtaByrt

Customer experience

N'Back

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.0%

NBack Buddy

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

N'Back

One-time1
  • Add Levels (3'Back-10'Back) and Remove Ads$2.99
None

NBack Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is N'Back free?
N'Back is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NBack Buddy free?
NBack Buddy costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, N'Back or NBack Buddy?
NBack Buddy is rated higher. N'Back averages 4.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while NBack Buddy averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do N'Back or NBack Buddy have ads?
N'Back shows ads; NBack Buddy does not.

Other comparisons