Comparison

QuitStake vs BrainMaxx

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

Head to head
About

QuitStake

This app uses financial incentives to help you reduce screen time and break digital habits. By depositing funds and setting limits on app usage, you're motivated to stay focused and avoid distractions. It also includes cognitive tests to track improvements in attention span.

Highlights
  • App blocking with financial stakes
  • Set daily screen time allowances
  • Financial accountability for unblocking
  • Safari website blocking
  • Cognitive focus and attention tests
  • Withdraw unused funds anytime
Features
Read full description

QuitStake uses loss aversion, the psychological principle, backed by research at Stanford University, that losing money hurts twice as much as gaining it feels good - to help you stay focused and reduce screen time. Traditional app blockers can be easily disabled and ignored, QuitStake holds literally you to account, helping you stick to your commitments, reduces doom scrolling and avoids you spending endless hours staring at your phone screen. Now with your series of cognitive tests you can measure and track your mental improvements in your focus and attention span over time. HOW IT WORKS 1. Deposit funds into your QuitStake account 2. Select the apps you want to block (social media, games, etc.) 3. Set your daily screen time allowance 4. Use your funds to unblock apps outside your daily time allowance. It's that simple. When there's real money at stake, you'll think twice before mindlessly opening Instagram or TikTok for empty dopamine hits KEY FEATURES • App Blocking - Block any app on your iPhone using Screen Time • Daily Allowance - Set how many minutes per day you can use blocked apps • Financial Accountability - You choose the amount to use to unblock apps • Loss Aversion Psychology - Research shows financial stakes make you 2-3x more likely to succeed • Safari Blocking - Block distracting websites too • Focus Tests - Track your cognitive improvement over time • Withdraw Anytime - Your unused funds are always available WHY IT WORKS Willpower alone isn't enough. Studies show that adding financial consequences dramatically increases commitment success rates. QuitStake turns your desire to avoid losing money into a powerful tool for building better habits. PERFECT FOR • Breaking social media addiction • Reducing mindless scrolling • Improving focus and productivity • Building healthier phone habits • Anyone who's tried other screen time apps without success YOUR MONEY, YOUR RULES You control everything—which apps to block, how much daily time you allow, and how much of your funds to use to unblock apps. Withdraw your unused balance anytime through our website. Start taking control of your screen time today. Your future self will thank you. Now you with our series of focus and attention span tests you can measure and track your cognitive improvements over time!

About

BrainMaxx

This app helps you regain control of your time and focus by blocking distracting applications and setting usage schedules. It features a unique visual representation of your screen time habits, encouraging healthier digital engagement and improved productivity.

Highlights
  • App blocking with custom schedules
  • Visual brain health indicator
  • Mindful break options
  • Screen time insights
  • Daily streaks for motivation
  • Habit-building features
Features
Read full description

Get your time, focus, and attention span back with BrainMaxx, the screen time app with a cute brain that rots as you doomscroll and heals when you live your life. Block the apps that eat your day, set schedules, and let the brain nudge you to put the phone down. Save about 2 hours a day, think clearer, sleep better, and actually get things done. What you get: - A brain that rots as you doom scroll, so you see the damage before it's done - App blocking with schedules for mornings, work hours, bedtime and custom times - Unrots: quick habits that heal your brain, like walking, reading, touching grass, and push-ups - A brain that talks you out of scrolling the moment you open a blocked app - Mindful breaks you choose on purpose, without the guilt or shame - Clear insights into your screen time, pickups, and worst hours - Daily streaks that unlock new worlds for your brain PRIVATE & SECURE BrainMaxx uses Apple's Screen Time API. All monitoring, blocking, and your brain health score stay entirely on your device. Your app usage never leaves your phone. Stop scrolling. Unrot your brain. *All features described above require a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://www.brainmaxxapp.com/privacy Terms of Service: https://www.brainmaxxapp.com/terms Support: support@doerpal.com

Screenshots

QuitStake4 screens
BrainMaxx4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: QuitStake at none against BrainMaxx's 9. QuitStake also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 86%) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). BrainMaxx's advantage is ratings volume (194 vs 4). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. BrainMaxx sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. QuitStake asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

QuitStake holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BrainMaxx has 194 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of QuitStake's written reviews are positive against 86% of BrainMaxx's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
QuitStake versus BrainMaxx: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQuitStakeBrainMaxx
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better4.8 (194 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings4194 — better
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB170 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperAsteya TechJuan Vizoso Prado

Customer experience

QuitStake

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

BrainMaxx

All ratings194 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral2.1%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

None

QuitStake

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

BrainMaxx

Subscriptions9
  • Pro Weekly$9.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription$12.997 Days
  • Pro Yearly Offer$29.991 Year
Show 6 more
  • Full Access3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Full Access$34.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription$44.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription$59.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription3 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Full Access$69.991 Year

Questions

Is QuitStake free?
QuitStake is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BrainMaxx free?
BrainMaxx is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, QuitStake or BrainMaxx?
QuitStake is rated higher. QuitStake averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while BrainMaxx averages 4.8 from 194 ratings.
Do QuitStake or BrainMaxx have ads?
Both QuitStake and BrainMaxx show ads.
Which is updated more often, QuitStake or BrainMaxx?
QuitStake ships an update weekly, and BrainMaxx weekly. Most recently, QuitStake was updated on October 31, 2026 and BrainMaxx on October 31, 2026.

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