# TheBrain vs ConnectionOpen

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ConnectionOpen at 100% against TheBrain's 44%. ConnectionOpen also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). TheBrain's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (150 vs 4). On price, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. TheBrain sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month and ConnectionOpen sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ConnectionOpen holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: TheBrain has 150 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of TheBrain's written reviews are positive against 100% of ConnectionOpen's.

TheBrain ships an update monthly, ConnectionOpen every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TheBrain | ConnectionOpen |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (150 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thebrain-smart-notes-and-links/id835873357/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connectionopen/id1500409403/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **150** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 44.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 240 MB | 51 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TheBrain Technologies LP](https://appshunter.io/developer/579909034) | [ConnectionOpen, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1500409402) |

## 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


### ConnectionOpen

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/connectionopen/id1500409403)

Experience real-time, high-quality audio and video collaboration with near-zero latency. Ideal for musicians, podcasters, and voiceover artists to connect and create together remotely, as if in the same room.

**Highlights:** Uncompressed, high-quality audio, Low-latency live video streaming, Real-time online collaboration, Remote jamming and practice for musicians, Live podcast recording with guests, Voiceover work with live feedback

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Basic Plan | $24.99 | per month |
| Standard Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| Pro Plan | $99.99 | per month |
| Day Pass | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TheBrain free?

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

### Is ConnectionOpen free?

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

### Which has better reviews, TheBrain or ConnectionOpen?

ConnectionOpen is rated higher. TheBrain averages 4.8 out of 5 from 150 ratings, while ConnectionOpen averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do TheBrain or ConnectionOpen have ads?

Neither TheBrain nor ConnectionOpen shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TheBrain or ConnectionOpen?

TheBrain ships an update monthly, and ConnectionOpen every 2 months. Most recently, TheBrain was updated on October 13, 2026 and ConnectionOpen on October 5, 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.*