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Software · head to head

Brain.fm vs Breathe HR

Brain.fm logo

Brain.fm

Software

Scientifically-designed music to enhance focus and productivity

From
$14.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Breathe HR logo

Breathe HR

Software

Simple HR software for SMEs

From
£13/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Brain.fm monthly plan at $14.99/month significantly more expensive per unit than annual plan ($8.33/month equivalent); Breathe HR pricing is banded by headcount, starting at £24 per month for 1 to 10 people, £44 per month for 11 to 20 and £99 per month for 21 to 50
  • They diverge on capability: Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Breathe HR covers Employee Database.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Brain.fm and Breathe HR actually diverge.

Attributes where Brain.fm and Breathe HR differ
AttributeBrain.fmBreathe HR
Starting price$14.99/month£13/month
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android
Founded20152012

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 Brain.fm

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

Only in Breathe HR

  • Employee Database
  • Absence Management
  • Document Storage
  • HR Reporting
  • Performance Management
  • Training
  • Slack
  • Google Workspace

What people use each for

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

Brain.fm

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

Breathe HR

  • Holiday, absence and sickness tracking for a UK small businessnot Brain.fm
  • Storing HR documents, contracts and e-signaturesnot Brain.fm
  • Performance reviews and onboarding workflows for small teamsnot Brain.fm

Where each one falls short

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

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)

Breathe HR

  • Pricing is banded by headcount, starting at £24 per month for 1 to 10 people, £44 per month for 11 to 20 and £99 per month for 21 to 50
  • Plans are capped by band up to 151 to 200 people, so it is not sold to organisations above that range on the published ladder
  • The free trial is 14 days
  • Health and safety, e-learning and other modules are sold as add-ons on top of the core HR plan
  • Pricing is quoted in pounds and the product is marketed to UK SMEs

Pricing, plan by plan

Brain.fm

$14.99/month

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

Breathe HR

£13/month
  • Core$13/month
    • Employee Database
    • Absence Management
    • Documents
  • People Management$18/month
    • All Core features
    • Performance
    • Goals

Which should you pick?

Choose Brain.fm if

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

Choose Breathe HR if

  • You need employee database.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want absence management.
Breathe HR review

Questions people ask

Is Brain.fm or Breathe HR better?
Neither clearly leads. Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month and Breathe HR at £13/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brain.fm or Breathe HR?
Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month and Breathe HR at £13/month.
Does Brain.fm or Breathe HR run on more platforms?
Brain.fm runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop. Breathe HR runs on Web, Ios, Android.
What is Brain.fm best used for?
Brain.fm is most often used for knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocks, adhd individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentration, students preparing for exams with learning and meditation support. Of those, knowledge workers requiring focus audio for deep work blocks and adhd individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentration are not what Breathe HR is typically brought in for.
What can Brain.fm do that Breathe HR cannot?
Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks, Sleep tracks. Breathe HR covers Employee Database, Absence Management, Document Storage, HR Reporting.
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