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Software · head to head

15Five vs Brain.fm

15Five logo

15Five

Software

Performance management that drives results

From
$4/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Brain.fm logo

Brain.fm

Software

Scientifically-designed music to enhance focus and productivity

From
$14.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: 15Five split across three tiers, so performance reviews, OKRs and 360 feedback need Perform at $11 per user per month rather than the $4 Engage tier; Brain.fm monthly plan at $14.99/month significantly more expensive per unit than annual plan ($8.33/month equivalent)
  • They diverge on capability: 15Five covers Weekly check-ins, Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which 15Five and Brain.fm actually diverge.

Attributes where 15Five and Brain.fm differ
Attribute15FiveBrain.fm
Starting price$4/month$14.99/month
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, ApiWeb, iOS, Android, Desktop
Founded20112015

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in 15Five

  • Weekly check-ins
  • 1-on-1 meetings
  • OKRs & goal tracking
  • Performance reviews
  • High fives recognition
  • Engagement surveys
  • Pulse surveys
  • Manager effectiveness

Only in Brain.fm

  • Neuroscience-designed music
  • Focus tracks
  • Relaxation tracks
  • Sleep tracks
  • Offline mode
  • Multiple genres
  • Cross-platform access
  • Ad-free experience

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

15Five

  • Running engagement surveys with heat maps and benchmarkingnot Brain.fm
  • Performance reviews and continuous feedback cyclesnot Brain.fm
  • Setting and tracking OKRsnot Brain.fm
  • 360 degree feedback and talent matrix reviewsnot Brain.fm
  • Compensation review cycles as a paid add-onnot Brain.fm

Brain.fm

  • Knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocksnot 15Five
  • ADHD individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentrationnot 15Five
  • Students preparing for exams with learning and meditation supportnot 15Five

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

15Five

  • Split across three tiers, so performance reviews, OKRs and 360 feedback need Perform at $11 per user per month rather than the $4 Engage tier
  • Manager training microlearnings are only in Total Platform at $16 per user per month
  • Compensation is a paid add-on at $9 per user per month, rising to $11 with benchmarking
  • The Kona meeting assistant is a further $2 per employee per month and Kona Coach $19 per manager per month
  • Advertised prices are the annual rates

Brain.fm

  • Monthly plan at $14.99/month significantly more expensive per unit than annual plan ($8.33/month equivalent)
  • ADHD mode available only with active subscription; no trial access to specialised features
  • No offline mode documented; requires internet connectivity for audio delivery
  • Content library composition not published (proprietary vs. licensed music distinction unclear)

Pricing, plan by plan

15Five

$4/month
  • Engage$4/month
    • Engagement surveys
    • Pulse surveys
    • Action planning
  • Perform$10/month
    • Weekly check-ins
    • 1-on-1s
    • Performance reviews
  • Total Platform$16/month
    • Everything in Engage & Perform
    • Career paths
    • Competencies

Brain.fm

$14.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the Brain.fm review.

Which should you pick?

Choose 15Five if

  • You need weekly check-ins.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Api.
  • You also want 1-on-1 meetings.
15Five review

Choose Brain.fm if

  • You need neuroscience-designed music.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want focus tracks.
Brain.fm review

Questions people ask

Is 15Five or Brain.fm better?
Neither clearly leads. 15Five starts at $4/month and Brain.fm at $14.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, 15Five or Brain.fm?
15Five starts at $4/month and Brain.fm at $14.99/month.
Does 15Five or Brain.fm run on more platforms?
15Five runs on Web, Ios, Android, Api. Brain.fm runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop.
What is 15Five best used for?
15Five is most often used for running engagement surveys with heat maps and benchmarking, performance reviews and continuous feedback cycles, setting and tracking okrs, 360 degree feedback and talent matrix reviews. Of those, running engagement surveys with heat maps and benchmarking and performance reviews and continuous feedback cycles are not what Brain.fm is typically brought in for.
What can 15Five do that Brain.fm cannot?
15Five covers Weekly check-ins, 1-on-1 meetings, OKRs & goal tracking, Performance reviews. Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks, Sleep tracks.
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