# Blackbox vs Brain Test

The clearest difference is ads: Blackbox at none against Brain Test's shown. Blackbox also leads on review sentiment (93% vs 58%) and update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). Brain Test's advantage is ratings volume (1.5M vs 109K) and chart position (#2 vs #27). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Blackbox sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Brain Test sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Blackbox against 4.8 for Brain Test. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brain Test has 1.5M ratings behind it against 109K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of Blackbox's written reviews are positive against 58% of Brain Test's.

Blackbox ships an update every 9 days, Brain Test monthly. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Blackbox | Brain Test |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (109K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/blackbox/id962969578/reviews) | [4.8 (1.5M ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brain-test-tricky-puzzles/id1486214495/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 109K | **1.5M** |
| Positive reviews | **92.6% of reviews** | 58.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #27 | **#2** |
| Size | 209 MB | 297 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Shapes and Stories LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/962969577) | [UNICO STUDIO](https://appshunter.io/developer/1467451326) |

## What reviewers say

### Blackbox

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

**Currently charting:** #27 Top Free · Trivia, #82 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


### Brain Test

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brain-test-tricky-puzzles/id1486214495)

**Currently charting:** #2 Top Free · Trivia, #22 Top Grossing · Trivia, #44 Top Free · Puzzle, #98 Top Free · Games (US App Store)

Engage your mind with a collection of clever and surprising puzzles that use misdirection and playful logic. This app offers unconventional challenges designed for casual enjoyment and creative thinking, perfect for solo play or sharing.

**Highlights:** Unconventional puzzle design, Surprising twists, Simple mechanics, Engaging content, Family friendly, No timers or stress

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VIP Package | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| 250 Lamps | $1.99 | one-time |
| 500 Lamps | $2.99 | one-time |
| Limited Time Offer | $3.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads + 1000 bulb | $3.99 | one-time |
| 1000 Lamps | $4.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $4.99 | one-time |
| Coolest Offer | $4.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads + 250 bulb | $4.99 | one-time |
| 2500 Lamps | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fun and challenging
- 👍 Helps sharpen the mind
- 😊 Addictive and entertaining

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤬 Too many ads
- 🙄 Ads interrupt gameplay
- 😒 Ads are repetitive
- 😠 Ads are unskippable

**Reported bugs**

- Game freezes or crashes
- Hint system not working as expected
- Inability to exit ads

**Requested features**

- More levels and updates
- Reduce frequency of ads
- Improve hint system
- Add difficulty options


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Blackbox free?

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

### Is Brain Test free?

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

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

Blackbox and Brain Test are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 109K and 1.5M ratings respectively.

### Do Blackbox or Brain Test have ads?

Brain Test shows ads; Blackbox does not.

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

Blackbox ships an update every 9 days, and Brain Test monthly. Most recently, Blackbox was updated on September 24, 2026 and Brain Test on September 24, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Blackbox or Brain Test?

Blackbox currently peaks at #27 in the App Store charts, and Brain Test at #2. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*