Comparison

Cortex Brain Trainer vs IQ Peak

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

Head to head
About

Cortex Brain Trainer

Features
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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.

About

IQ Peak

Read full description

Discover how you think, then build sharper habits with IQ Peak. IQ Peak combines a short visual reasoning challenge, reflective self-assessments, level-based brain games, and a personalized daily training plan. Explore your performance, identify areas to practice, and make a few focused minutes part of your everyday routine. VISUAL REASONING CHALLENGE • Complete visual matrices and find the missing pattern • Work through rotation, mirror, pattern, and spatial reasoning questions • Receive a score for this challenge with a clear question-type breakdown • Review your result and use it to choose helpful training activities REFLECTIVE SELF-ASSESSMENTS Explore a range of non-diagnostic assessments covering: • Focus and action style • Planning and adaptability • Interactive memory • Love and communication preferences • Archetype-based personality reflections • Additional reflective experiences These experiences are designed for self-reflection and entertainment. They are not medical, clinical, or psychological diagnoses. TRAIN WITH BRAIN GAMES Build skills through short, focused games: • Memory Match — remember card positions and find matching pairs • Butterfly Sequence — watch the sequence and repeat it • Number Memory — remember digits and enter them in order • Spot the Difference — compare two scenes and find what changed • One Stroke — complete a shape in one continuous stroke • Word Cross — connect letters to complete a word grid • Color Blocks — plan the order and guide blocks to their exits • Sudoku — complete the grid using logic • Tile Connect — match identical tiles with limited turns • Number Hunt — find hidden numbers in the correct order Games are organized by levels so you can start comfortably and progress at your own pace. A DAILY TRAINING PLAN • Get a daily selection of short training activities • Practice different skills across memory, logic, focus, and visual reasoning • Resume unfinished sessions when supported • Track completed activities and build a consistent routine TRACK YOUR PROGRESS • Save completed assessment and game results • Review your activity history • Follow your scores and performance over time • See which activities you have completed and where you want to practice next DESIGNED FOR EVERYDAY PRACTICE Use IQ Peak when you want to: • Warm up your mind in the morning • Take a focused break during the day • Practice a short puzzle during your commute • Wind down with a calm, structured challenge PERFECT FOR • Anyone curious about visual reasoning and cognitive skills • Students and professionals who enjoy logic and memory challenges • Adults who want a simple, consistent brain-training habit • Puzzle fans looking for varied challenges in one app Take a challenge, explore your results, and reach your IQ Peak. Disclaimer: IQ Peak is designed for entertainment and self-reflection. Scores and results are based on the specific activities completed in the app and are not a professional, medical, clinical, or psychological assessment. Privacy Policy: https://www.cortexishk.com/policy/IQPeak/privacy-policy-en.html Terms of Use: https://www.cortexishk.com/policy/IQPeak/terms-of-use-en.html

Screenshots

Cortex Brain Trainer3 screens
IQ Peak4 screens

Verdict

The call

Cortex Brain Trainer and IQ Peak are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

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

Both are free to download. Cortex Brain Trainer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and IQ Peak sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cortex Brain Trainer ships an update every 6 days, IQ Peak every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Cortex Brain Trainer versus IQ Peak: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCortex Brain TrainerIQ Peak
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.4 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size48 MB93 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStephane de BarbansonCORTEXIS HK LIMITED

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Cortex Brain Trainer

One-time1
  • Unlock all games$3.99
5 purchases

IQ Peak

Subscriptions4
  • IQ Peak Pro Weekly3 Days trial$9.997 Days
  • IQ Peak Pro Weekly3 Days trial$19.997 Days
  • IQ Peak Pro Weekly7 Days trial$19.997 Days
Show 1 more
  • IQ Peak Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • IQ Peak Pro Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Cortex Brain Trainer free?
Cortex Brain Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is IQ Peak free?
IQ Peak is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cortex Brain Trainer or IQ Peak have ads?
Neither Cortex Brain Trainer nor IQ Peak shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cortex Brain Trainer or IQ Peak?
Cortex Brain Trainer ships an update every 6 days, and IQ Peak every 5 days. Most recently, Cortex Brain Trainer was updated on October 31, 2026 and IQ Peak on November 6, 2026.

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