# Photo Brain vs Blackbox

The clearest difference is rating: Blackbox at 4.8 against Photo Brain's 4.1. Blackbox also leads on ratings volume (109K vs 9) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months). Photo Brain's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and iOS requirement (6.0 vs 16.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Blackbox sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Photo Brain asks for nothing beyond the download.

Blackbox holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Blackbox has 109K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Photo Brain's written reviews are positive against 93% of Blackbox's.

Photo Brain ships an update every 2 months, Blackbox every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Photo Brain | Blackbox |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-brain/id921856898/reviews) | **[4.8 (109K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbox/id962969578/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **109K** |
| Positive reviews | 69.2% of reviews | **92.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 9 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#34** |
| Size | 64 MB | 209 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [SweatyChair Pty. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/781132111) | [Shapes and Stories LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/962969577) |

## What reviewers say

### Photo Brain

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-brain/id921856898)

This game challenges and enhances your photographic memory with increasingly difficult levels and time constraints. Test your recall abilities with sequences, numbers, and patterns.

**Highlights:** Tests photographic memory, Improves memory skills, Increasingly difficult levels, Extreme mode, Fast timing challenges, Classic mode

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Blackbox

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbox/id962969578)

**Currently charting:** #34 Top Free · Trivia, #49 Top Grossing · Trivia (US App Store)

This puzzle game challenges you to solve intricate problems without touching the screen. It utilizes minimalistic visual cues, sonic interfaces, and haptic feedback to guide you through unique challenges that require thinking outside the box. Discover a new way to interact with your device and prove your cleverness.

**Highlights:** Touchless gameplay, Minimalistic visual clues, Sonic interfaces, Haptic feedback, External puzzle solving, Easter eggs

**Features:** Family Sharing, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tiny Hint Pack | $1.19 | one-time |
| Small Hint Pack | $2.39 | one-time |
| Erudite Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Push Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Coffee for Ryan | $4.49 | one-time |
| Basic Pack | $4.99 | one-time |
| Medium Hint Pack | $5.00 | one-time |
| All Knowing Pack | $7.99 | one-time |
| Large Hint Pack | $10.00 | one-time |
| Extra Large Hint Pack | $20.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Unique and creative gameplay
- 🤔 Challenges users to think outside the box
- 😄 Humorous and witty comments
- 🔑 Utilizes phone features in innovative ways

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤯 Extremely challenging puzzles
- 💰 Expensive for additional content
- 🤖 Concerns about app accessing device permissions
- 🚗 Puzzles requiring travel/location are inaccessible for some

**Reported bugs**

- Hints not working as expected
- Progress reset after app update

**Requested features**

- Add ability to earn hint credits through watching ads
- Include more free puzzles
- Improve accessibility for users with limited mobility
- Provide better guidance and instructions for puzzles


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Photo Brain free?

Photo Brain is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Blackbox free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Photo Brain or Blackbox?

Blackbox is rated higher. Photo Brain averages 4.1 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Blackbox averages 4.8 from 109K ratings.

### Do Photo Brain or Blackbox have ads?

Neither Photo Brain nor Blackbox shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Photo Brain or Blackbox?

Photo Brain ships an update every 2 months, and Blackbox every 9 days. Most recently, Photo Brain was updated on October 24, 2026 and Blackbox on October 25, 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.*