Comparison

Flow vs BrainGate

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

Head to head
About

Flow

Features
Read full description

Your mind deserves more calm. Phone addiction and mindless scrolling drain your time, focus, and peace of mind. Flow is a mindful social media blocker that helps you break free from autopilot usage and build a healthier relationship with your phone. Why Flow is Different We don't just block apps - we create mindful moments. Flow is designed for digital wellbeing through awareness, not restriction. Every time you reach for a distracting app, Flow gently pauses you with a breathing exercise, bringing you back to the present moment. Break the Autopilot Habit Most screen time happens unconsciously. We tap social media without thinking, losing hours to distraction. Flow interrupts this pattern by placing a layer of mindfulness between you and your apps, helping you regain control of your attention. Key Features: Mindful Breathing Before Scrolling Take a centering breath before accessing blocked apps. This simple pause helps you reconnect with the present and ask: "Do I really need this right now?" Intentional Usage Choose your purpose before opening apps - whether it's taking a break, searching for something, checking news, or sharing content. Conscious decisions replace mindless habits. Screen Time Budgets Set daily limits for distracting apps. Once you reach your budget, Flow helps you honor your commitment to less screen time. Focus Protection Stay in your flow state. Prevent interruptions from social media and maintain deep focus on what matters. Habit Building for Digital Wellbeing Small, consistent practices reshape your relationship with technology. Track your progress and watch intentional usage become second nature. The Benefits of Mindful Phone Use: - Break free from phone addiction and impulse scrolling - Reclaim hours of your day for meaningful activities - Improve focus and maintain deep work sessions - Reduce anxiety from constant digital stimulation - Support better mental health and digital balance - Be more present in real-life moments How It Works: 1. Select apps you want to use more mindfully 2. When you tap a blocked app, pause and breathe 3. Choose your intention or decide to skip 4. Over time, conscious usage becomes your default Flow isn't about guilt or harsh restrictions. It's about creating space for awareness, helping you use your phone consciously rather than compulsively. After a free trial period, Flow Pro subscription is required to continue using the app block functionality. Features include unlimited app blocking and customizable breathing exercises. Reclaim your attention. Protect your flow state. Download Flow today. Privacy Policy: https://www.flowapp.club/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.flowapp.club/terms

About

BrainGate

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WANT TO OPEN TIKTOK? PROVE YOUR BRAIN IS AWAKE FIRST. We’ve all been there: You open your phone for "just a second" and find yourself an hour deep into a TikTok or Instagram rabbit hole. Traditional app blockers are too easy to ignore, and "Screen Time" limits are too easy to bypass. Enter BrainGate. BrainGate turns your most distracting apps into rewards for learning. Instead of a hard "No," we give you a "Yes, but..." To unlock your favorite apps, you must first pass a short, AI-powered quiz. Prove your knowledge in Geography, Math, Space, or Vocabulary to earn 15 minutes of guilt-free scrolling. HOW IT WORKS Choose Your Distractions: Select the apps you want to gate (Instagram, X, TikTok, etc.). Pick Your Topic: Choose from Vocabulary, Math, Space, Geography, or General Knowledge. The BrainGate: When you open a blocked app, a quiz appears. Pass the quiz to unlock 15 minutes of access. The Escalation: The more you try to unlock apps in a day, the harder it gets. The quiz grows from 3 questions to 7, rewarding your discipline and testing your focus. WHY USING BRAINGATE Positive Friction: We don't punish you for wanting to use social media; we just make sure you get smarter while doing it. System-Level Control: Built on Apple’s native Screen Time API, BrainGate is robust and tamper-resistant. AI-Powered Learning: Powered by AI, our questions stay fresh, relevant, and challenging. Snarky Personality: Our app has a voice. Whether you pass or fail, expect a little "encouragement" (or a reality check) from our built-in personality.

Screenshots

Flow4 screens
BrainGate4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BrainGate at none against Flow's 2. BrainGate also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Flow sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. BrainGate asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Flow versus BrainGate: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlowBrainGate
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksβ€”
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesYesNo β€” better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad β€” better
Requires iOS18.517.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size29 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEmre Can OktenRodolfo Alberto Cuadros Paredes

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Flow

Subscriptions2
  • All Access3 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • All Access3 Days trial$19.991 Year
None

BrainGate

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Flow free?
Flow is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BrainGate free?
BrainGate is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Flow or BrainGate have ads?
Flow shows ads; BrainGate does not.

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