Comparison

MemoryLoop vs Cortex Brain Trainer

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

Head to head
About

MemoryLoop

Features
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MemoryLoop allows you to turn daily learnings and stories into long term memory by using the proven spaced-repetition approach. Users input their learnings each day, test themselves on what they've learned recently, and improve their retention ability! Privacy: https://memory-loop.app/privacy EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Cortex Brain Trainer

Features
Read full description

Cortex is an offline brain-training app: dual N-Back, a Stroop test, Schulte tables, a reaction time test and an RSVP speed reader, plus Sudoku, Nonogram and Word Search puzzles. No account, no internet, no tracking: nothing leaves your phone. Also known as: n-back memory test, Stroop effect test, Schulte grid, reflex test, speed reading trainer. Seventeen focused brain games and classic puzzles, plus Peak Hours: a personal cognitive instrument you won't find in other brain trainers. Four games are free forever; unlock all seventeen plus Peak Hours with a single purchase. No subscription, no ads, no accounts, and nothing leaves your device. PEAK HOURS A quick reaction check you can take any time of day. Over time it charts when your mind is sharpest and reveals whether you're a morning lark, a night owl, or steady all day. Fully private, stored only on your phone. THE GAMES Memory, focus, reading, timing and spatial skills, each built around a real task: - N-Back, Sequence Memory and Remember-To for memory - Stroop, Track and Peripheral Vision for attention - Schulte Table and Speed Reader for visual scanning and reading - Mental Rotation for spatial reasoning - Inner Clock for your sense of time - Number Sequences for pattern reasoning SKILL DRILLS - Mental Math: learn a real trick, then drill it - Speed Math and Estimation for arithmetic fluency and number sense CLASSIC PUZZLES - Nonogram: solve the number clues to reveal a hidden picture - Sudoku and Word Search, as pure puzzles FREE TO START, UNLOCK ONCE Four games are free forever: N-Back, Stroop, Schulte Table and Speed Math. Unlock all seventeen games plus Peak Hours with a single one-time purchase. No subscription, no ads, no renewing charges. PRIVATE BY DESIGN No accounts, no analytics, no advertising, no third-party trackers. The app works fully offline and your stats stay on your phone. Privacy here isn't a setting you switch on; it's how the app is built. BUILT FOR FOCUS A precision design made for concentration, not a candy-coloured slot machine. Make it yours with multiple themes, light or dark, and a custom accent colour. Track your personal bests at your own pace. Now fully available in nine languages.

Screenshots

MemoryLoop4 screens
Cortex Brain Trainer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: MemoryLoop at 3 against Cortex Brain Trainer's 1. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. MemoryLoop sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and Cortex Brain Trainer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MemoryLoop ships an update every 2 weeks, Cortex Brain Trainer weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference ยท 5 level
MemoryLoop versus Cortex Brain Trainer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMemoryLoopCortex Brain Trainer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 โ€” better16.4
Further details โ€” not scored
Size53 MB46 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperJacob BrandStephane de Barbanson

In-app purchases

2 purchases

MemoryLoop

Subscriptions1
  • MemoryLoop Weekly Access$1.997 Days
One-time1
  • MemoryLoop Lifetime Access$99.99
1 purchases

Cortex Brain Trainer

One-time1
  • Unlock all games$3.99

Questions

Is MemoryLoop free?
MemoryLoop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Cortex Brain Trainer free?
Cortex Brain Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MemoryLoop or Cortex Brain Trainer have ads?
Neither MemoryLoop nor Cortex Brain Trainer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MemoryLoop or Cortex Brain Trainer?
MemoryLoop ships an update every 2 weeks, and Cortex Brain Trainer weekly. Most recently, MemoryLoop was updated on October 12, 2026 and Cortex Brain Trainer on October 22, 2026.

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