Comparison

SynapseGym vs Span N

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

Head to head
About

SynapseGym

Features
Read full description

Most brain games just hand you a score. SynapseGym shows you something more useful: where your mind is actually sharp, where it slips, and exactly what to train next. A REAL COGNITIVE PROFILE Take a short check and see yourself across six core skills — working memory, attention, processing speed, flexibility, impulse control and planning. No vague number. A clear picture of your strengths and your blind spots. TRAIN WHAT ACTUALLY HOLDS YOU BACK SynapseGym finds your weakest skill and builds a short daily session around it. No random games — focused practice aimed at the one thing that moves the needle for you. SEE REAL, MEASURABLE PROGRESS Re-check every couple of weeks and watch the numbers move. Track your reaction time, follow your streak, and learn the hours when your mind is at its sharpest. GROUNDED IN REAL SCIENCE The exercises are built on established cognitive tasks — Stroop, N-Back, Go/No-Go, digit span and more — turned into quick, sharp sessions that feel like play, not homework. MORE THAN GAMES A sharper mind needs a calmer one. Built-in meditation, gratitude journaling and habit tools help you stay focused and steady, every day. Leaderboards and achievements keep you coming back. 66 EXERCISES — NEVER THE SAME WORKOUT TWICE • Mental math, arithmetic drills and number sequences • Digit span, sequence memory and episodic recall • Stroop, Flanker, Go/No-Go and vigilance for attention • Single and dual N-Back for working memory • Reaction time, processing speed and visual tracking • Trail making, task switching and card sorting • Anagrams, verbal fluency and mental rotation NO ADS. EVER. 38 exercises are free. Premium unlocks all 66 — monthly, yearly, or a one-time lifetime purchase. Train a few minutes a day. See your mind get measurably sharper. SynapseGym is a training and self-assessment tool — not a medical device or a diagnosis. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Span N

This application offers scientifically-backed cognitive training to enhance working memory and fluid intelligence. It utilizes the dual n-back task to progressively challenge users with visual and auditory stimuli, providing detailed analytics for progress tracking. Designed for daily practice, it aims to sharpen focus and improve mental agility.

Highlights
  • Dual n-back task training
  • Visual and auditory stimuli
  • Progressive difficulty levels
  • Detailed analytics and tracking
  • Privacy-focused, on-device data
  • Exportable data (JSON/CSV)
  • Dark mode support
Features
Read full description

Train your brain with the gold standard of cognitive training. Span N-Back is a scientifically-designed working memory training app based on the dual n-back task — the only cognitive training method shown in peer-reviewed research to improve fluid intelligence. WHAT IS N-BACK TRAINING? The n-back task challenges you to remember sequences of positions and sounds, then identify when the current stimulus matches one from "n" steps back. It's simple to learn but progressively challenging, keeping your brain in the optimal training zone. WHY SPAN N-BACK? • Research-Based Design — Built on the Jaeggi dual n-back protocol used in cognitive science studies • Precision Timing — Sub-20ms stimulus accuracy for reliable training • Progressive Difficulty — Levels 1-9 adapt to your growing abilities • Dual Modality — Train visual and auditory working memory simultaneously • Detailed Analytics — Track accuracy, reaction time, and progress over time • Privacy First — All data stays on your device. No accounts, no tracking. WHO IS THIS FOR? Whether you're a student preparing for exams, a professional seeking mental edge, or anyone interested in cognitive fitness — consistent n-back training can help sharpen focus, improve working memory capacity, and enhance mental agility. FEATURES • Clean, distraction-free interface • Visual and audio training modes • Session history and performance tracking • Export your data (JSON/CSV) • Dark mode support • Designed for daily practice Start with 2-back and work your way up. Just 15-20 minutes daily can make a difference. Download Span N-Back and train smarter.

Screenshots

SynapseGym4 screens
Span N4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Span N at none against SynapseGym's 3. 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SynapseGym sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Span N asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
SynapseGym versus Span N: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSynapseGymSpan N
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJonas HoettlerJerzy Plocha

In-app purchases

3 purchases

SynapseGym

Subscriptions2
  • SynapseGym (monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • SynapseGym Premium (yearly)7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • SynapseGym Lifetime$39.99
None

Span N

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SynapseGym free?
SynapseGym is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Span N free?
Span N is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SynapseGym or Span N have ads?
Neither SynapseGym nor Span N shows ads.

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