How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- Lumosity leads on scale and research transparency, with a peer-reviewed study of 4,715 participants and 120 million members over 20 years.
- Shoorbaloo is the freshest free option, with 25 plus science-backed games across six cognitive areas and no paywall to play.
- BrainHQ leads on scientific depth, with 30 years of neuroplasticity research and over 100 published papers behind its exercises.
- Mind Games is the only fully free browser option, with dozens of daily puzzles and no app install or subscription.
- Brain training games are general wellness tools, not medical treatment, and evidence for transfer to everyday tasks remains mixed.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Lumosity | Scale and research | See website | Free plan |
 Shoorbaloo | Science-backed games | Free | Free to start |
 Peak | Coach-guided training | See website | Free plan |
 CogniFit | Clinical assessment | See website | Free plan |
 BrainHQ | Scientific depth | See website | Free exercises |
 Memorado | Fun daily challenges | See website | Free plan |
 MentalUP | Kids training | See website | Free plan |
 Mind Games | Free browser puzzles | Free | Free |
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The best brain training apps
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree plan
Lumosity is the world's most popular brain-training program, turning lab tasks into games that target memory, attention, problem solving, and flexibility. A randomized study published in a peer-reviewed journal found that Lumosity users improved more than a crossword-puzzle control group on working memory, short-term memory, processing speed, problem solving, fluid reasoning, and overall cognitive function after 10 weeks of 15-minute daily sessions, though the study itself notes attrition and publication bias risks and that transfer to everyday tasks needs more research. Lumosity suits adults who want a large, research-transparent program with daily workouts.
What we like- 20 years and 120 million members
- Peer-reviewed randomized study with 4,715 participants
- Games target memory, attention, flexibility, and problem solving
- Fresh games each day with detailed progress tracking
- Program adapts to strengths and weaknesses
Watch out for- Homepage shows no current pricing
- Study authors note more research is needed on transfer to everyday tasks
Starting priceFree
Free planFree to start
Shoorbaloo packs 25 plus science-backed brain games across six cognitive areas into one playful daily workout: memory with five games, attention with six, flexibility with six, problem solving with three, speed with three, and math with two. Every game is designed around well-studied paradigms like the Stroop test, Dual N-Back, and the flanker task, the same tools researchers use to measure attention, memory, and processing speed. Difficulty scales from Easy to Legend and tunes to performance, while the AI coach Professor Axon builds training plans around strengths and weak spots. Multiplayer brain battles, global leaderboards, streaks, and 30 plus collectible octopus characters keep the habit fun, and the homepage states plainly that Shoorbaloo is designed for mental fitness and entertainment, not a medical device, and does not diagnose or treat any condition. Shoorbaloo suits users who want modern, research-modeled games that are free to start.
What we like- 25 plus science-backed games across six cognitive areas
- Games modeled on Stroop, Dual N-Back, and flanker research tasks
- Difficulty scales from Easy to Legend
- AI coach Professor Axon builds personalized plans
- Multiplayer brain battles, leaderboards, and streaks
- Free on iOS and Android with no paywall to play
Watch out for- Newer and smaller community than Lumosity
- Homepage shows no paid tier details, so premium pricing is unclear
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree plan
Peak pushes cognitive skills with fun, stimulating games and short, intense workouts designed around the user's life, testing focus, memory, problem solving, and mental agility. Coach, the personal trainer, challenges users with new workouts, tracks progress, and shows where and how to improve. Advanced Training Programmes, built with scientists from Cambridge, Yale, UCL, and King's College London, target very specific skills like memory and attention. Peak suits users who want a coach-driven routine rather than an open game library.
What we like- Coach personal trainer that challenges, tracks, and motivates
- Games test focus, memory, problem solving, and mental agility
- Short intense workouts designed around daily life
- Advanced training programs built with Cambridge, Yale, UCL, and King's College London scientists
- Strong user reviews
Watch out for- Homepage shows no pricing
- Advanced programs need the paid tier
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree plan
CogniFit is a scientifically validated brain fitness technology that lets users assess cognitive skills and train them efficiently. Account types cover personal training, family, patient management, student management, research, company management, and trainer accounts, so the platform serves individuals, clinicians, researchers, and employers alike. Users 16 and older can train directly, while younger users join through family platforms. CogniFit suits users who want a measured assessment before training, and professionals managing groups.
What we like- Scientifically validated brain fitness technology
- Cognitive assessment plus training in one platform
- Accounts for patients, families, students, researchers, and companies
- Trusted by doctors in its positioning
- Age guidance of 16 plus, with family platforms for younger users
Watch out for- Homepage extract is dominated by account-type signup text, so consumer pricing and game detail are thin
- Clinical framing may feel formal for casual users
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree exercises
BrainHQ from Posit Science offers dozens of online exercises for memory, attention, brain speed, people skills, decision-making, and navigation, designed by an international team of neuroscientists led by Dr. Michael Merzenich, famous for discovering adult brain plasticity. Each level takes under five minutes, exercises adapt to performance, and a personal trainer feature serves up the right exercises over time. Over 100 published papers support the benefits, with individual results varying. BrainHQ is free at hundreds of US libraries and offered through some Medicare Advantage plans. BrainHQ suits older adults and science-minded users who want the deepest research base.
What we like- 30 years of neuroplasticity research behind the program
- Over 100 published papers, mostly independently conducted
- Exercises adapt in difficulty to each user
- Levels take under five minutes
- Free at hundreds of US libraries and offered through Medicare Advantage plans
Watch out for- Homepage shows no consumer pricing
- Interface and marketing feel more clinical than playful
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree plan
Memorado trains with over 20 games designed to challenge concentration, memory, mental speed, logic reasoning, and mindfulness, with daily IQ and performance tests that track progress and show where to improve. The app adapts to abilities as users train, measures ongoing performance, and lets users compare with others or challenge friends. Memorado suits casual trainers who want a fun, social daily habit without a heavy clinical frame.
What we like- Over 20 games for concentration, memory, mental speed, logic reasoning, and mindfulness
- Daily IQ and performance tests
- Progress tracking with comparison to others and friend challenges
- Adapts to abilities as users train
- Positive user reviews
Watch out for- Homepage shows no pricing
- Game count is smaller than Lumosity or Peak
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree plan
MentalUP is an award-winning educational game platform for kids, with gamified exercises that develop memory, attention, visual intelligence, and logic for ages 4 to 13, plus adult use. Hundreds of games and workouts come with performance reports showing strengths and areas for improvement, and the platform is certified by the Education Alliance Finland for UK curriculum alignment and won a University College London Evidence of Impact award. With no ads or inappropriate content and over 20 million users, MentalUP suits families training kids, and adults who enjoy its kid-friendly game style.
What we like- Gamified exercises for ages 4 to 13 plus adults
- Hundreds of games and workouts
- Memory, attention, visual intelligence, and logic games
- Advanced performance reports showing strengths and areas for improvement
- No ads or inappropriate content
- 20 million plus users and a 4.8 rating from 300,000 plus reviews
- University College London Evidence of Impact award
Watch out for- Designed for kids first, so adult content is thinner
- Homepage shows no pricing
Starting priceFree
Free planFree
Mind Games offers the best free mind games online in a browser, with brain, math, crossword, and word games, Sudoku, and memory games. Daily puzzles include Daily Sudoku in four difficulty levels, Daily Queens, Daily Nonograms, Daily Futoshiki, Daily Str8ts, and the Daily Commuter Crossword, plus classics like Word Wipe and Bookworm. Sister sites cover card games, mahjong, match-3, hidden object, and classic games. Mind Games suits users who want free daily puzzles without an app, account, or subscription.
What we like- Fully free with no install or subscription
- Dozens of games including Sudoku, crosswords, word games, and memory games
- Daily puzzles in multiple sizes and difficulty levels
- Sister sites for card, mahjong, match-3, and hidden object games
Watch out for- No adaptive training, progress tracking, or coaching
- Browser-only, not a dedicated app
- Ads may appear on free pages
How we chose
We opened each homepage and compared game libraries, training approach, research backing, pricing transparency, and free tiers. Where homepages showed no pricing, we recorded "See website" rather than inventing figures. Three candidates were excluded: NeuroNation, whose homepage failed to load and was not retried; Impulse, whose homepage returned no usable content and was not retried; and Fit Brains, whose domain now redirects to Rosetta Stone language learning rather than a brain training product.
How to pick the right brain training app
Start with the goal. For a daily habit with a real free tier, Shoorbaloo and Mind Games cost nothing to start. For research depth, BrainHQ and Lumosity publish studies and methods, while Peak adds university partnerships. For kids, MentalUP is the clear pick, and for clinical or group use, CogniFit offers assessment and management accounts.
Then test honestly. Brain training games improve performance on the trained tasks, and evidence for transfer to school, work, or everyday memory remains mixed, which Lumosity's own study acknowledges. Treat these apps as general wellness tools for focus and mental exercise, not medical treatment for cognitive decline, memory loss, or neurological conditions. Anyone worried about memory, attention, or thinking changes should talk to a clinician rather than relying on an app. This article is general information, not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best brain training app?
Lumosity leads on scale and research, Shoorbaloo on free value, BrainHQ on scientific depth, and Mind Games on free browser play. The best choice depends on budget and training style.
Do brain training apps really work?
They improve performance on trained tasks, and some studies show gains on related cognitive assessments. Evidence for transfer to everyday tasks is mixed, so treat claims with care.
Are there free brain training apps?
Yes. Shoorbaloo is free to start on iOS and Android, Mind Games is fully free in a browser, and BrainHQ offers free exercises plus free library access in many US communities.
Which brain training app is best for kids?
MentalUP, designed for ages 4 to 13 with hundreds of games, performance reports, and no ads or inappropriate content.
How much time does brain training take each day?
Most programs use short sessions. BrainHQ levels take under five minutes, Lumosity's study used 15 minutes five days per week, and Peak uses short intense workouts.
Can brain training help with memory loss?
Brain training apps are wellness tools, not medical treatment. Anyone concerned about memory loss or cognitive decline should consult a clinician for evaluation.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://www.lumosity.com/
- https://shoorbaloo.com/en
- https://www.peak.net/
- https://www.cognifit.com/
- https://www.brainhq.com/
- https://memorado.com/
- https://mentalup.co/
- https://www.mindgames.com/
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.