# TheBrain vs KnowledgeBase Builder

TheBrain and KnowledgeBase Builder both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 91% of KnowledgeBase Builder's written reviews are positive against 44% of TheBrain's. KnowledgeBase Builder also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2). TheBrain's advantage is price (Free vs $8.99) and ratings volume (173 vs 24). On rating, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

TheBrain is free to download; KnowledgeBase Builder costs $8.99 up front. TheBrain sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month. KnowledgeBase Builder asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for TheBrain against 4.7 for KnowledgeBase Builder. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TheBrain has 173 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 44% of TheBrain's written reviews are positive against 91% of KnowledgeBase Builder's.

TheBrain ships an update fortnightly, KnowledgeBase Builder every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TheBrain | KnowledgeBase Builder |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $8.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (173 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thebrain-smart-notes-and-links/id835873357/reviews)** | [4.7 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/knowledgebase-builder/id1448579863/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **173** | 24 |
| Positive reviews | 44.3% of reviews | **90.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 254 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TheBrain Technologies LP](https://appshunter.io/developer/579909034) | [Ingo Straub](https://appshunter.io/developer/1398145160) |

## What reviewers say

### TheBrain

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thebrain-smart-notes-and-links/id835873357)

This app helps you capture, connect, and visualize all your ideas, notes, and files across devices. It acts as a digital memory, showing related items and allowing for dynamic mind mapping and powerful search to help you recall information instantly.

**Highlights:** Award-winning visualization, Networked notes with backlinks, Dynamic mind mapping, Easy idea capture, Cross-device sync, Powerful search, Visual file management

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TheBrain Pro Monthly | $17.99 | per month |
| TheBrain Pro Annual | $189.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Seamless navigation
- 🔒 Secure cloud sync
- 👍 Intuitive interface
- 🚀 Powerful features
- 👍 Excellent for knowledge management

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and freezes
- 🐛 Buggy on iOS 9
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Limited functionality on mobile
- 🐛 Confusing UI and navigation

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes on iOS 9
- Inability to open brains
- Freezing after each action
- Login and account issues
- Sync problems

**Requested features**

- Offline mode
- Improved mobile UI and UX
- Better integration with other apps
- More affordable pricing options
- Enhanced search and filtering


### KnowledgeBase Builder

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/knowledgebase-builder/id1448579863)

Organize and search text documents and web pages with links within a mind map structure. Automatically create mind maps from text, import Wikipedia articles, and export your knowledge base as HTML. Also functions as a flowcharting tool.

**Highlights:** Save text documents and web pages, Full-text search, Organize with mind maps, Automatic mind map creation, Wikipedia import, Export to HTML, Flowcharting tool

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TheBrain free?

TheBrain is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is KnowledgeBase Builder free?

KnowledgeBase Builder costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TheBrain or KnowledgeBase Builder?

TheBrain is rated higher. TheBrain averages 4.8 out of 5 from 173 ratings, while KnowledgeBase Builder averages 4.7 from 24 ratings.

### Do TheBrain or KnowledgeBase Builder have ads?

Neither TheBrain nor KnowledgeBase Builder shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TheBrain or KnowledgeBase Builder?

TheBrain ships an update fortnightly, and KnowledgeBase Builder every 2 weeks. Most recently, TheBrain was updated on November 6, 2026 and KnowledgeBase Builder on November 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*