6 apps to train your brain
Give your mental fitness a serious workout with these helpful brain–training apps
We’re always reading headlines warning that cell phones and tablets can ruin our concentration, distracting us from the ‘important’ things that matter, and removing our ability to focus. In actual fact, mobile tech can make you smarter
Brain Sc hool Free Made for iPhone, iPad
Brain School is perhaps the most straightforwardly fun app in this group. It’s completely free too, although it uses ads at the bottom of the screen to pay the rent (and don’t expect any tech support either). The app consists of 20 games that test skills such as maths, weights and measures, and shape recognition, and each game progresses in difficulty, tasking you to keep working at it to better improve over time. too. To prove it we’ve rounded up just a few of the best ‘brain– training’ apps around. Those that can help you improve your memory, concentration, as well as enhance other important cognitive functions.
Lumosity Free (IAPs) Made for iPhone, iPad
There’s been controversy over its advertising, but Lumosity has still been used by more than 85 million people. The app starts you off with a Fit Test that assesses skills such as memory and problem solving, and then prepares a series of ‘workouts’ designed to improve your cognitive abilities. A basic set of workouts are available free once per day, with more options costing a rather hefty $11.99 per month or $59.99 per year.
Peak Free (IAPs) Made for iPhone, iPad
Peak is a good option if you’re feeling competitive, as it allows you to compare scores against friends. The free version of the app provides a basic set of games for testing memory, language, and other skills, but the full selection requires a ‘pro’ subscription, costing $4.99 per month, or $34.99 per year. There are also a number of specialized add–ons such as ‘emotional management’, free in the US.
Mensa Brain Training Free (IAPs) Made for iPhone, iPad
You have to have an IQ in the top 2% of the entire world to join Mensa, so most of us will need this app to help us out. The exercises in the app focus on five key areas — memory, concentration, agility, perception, and reasoning. The free version of the app only allows you to try three exercises per day, but if this doesn’t cut it, unlimited access requires a subscription of $5.99 for three months, or $9.99 for a full year.
Cognifit Free (IAPs) Made for iPhone, iPad
Cognifit was only released in 2017, but it has a pretty good pedigree as the developers spend most of their time designing cognitive tests for healthcare professionals. A basic set of exercises is provided for free, in order to assess your memory, reasoning, coordination, and perception. However, access to further training exercises is pricey, costing $19.99 per month or $189.99 for a full year.
Elevate 5.7 Free (IAPs) Made for iPhone, iPad
Elevate was Apple’s App Of The Year in 2014, still remaining one of the top brain–training apps. It starts with a simple test to assess your skills in areas such as reading, writing, and math, and then creates a personalized training program to help you improve. There’s a basic set of free exercises available for daily training, with a 14–day trial if you want to explore the full range. After that, it’s $39.99 for an annual subscription.