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Software · head to head

Brain.fm vs Harvest

Brain.fm logo

Brain.fm

Software

Scientifically-designed music to enhance focus and productivity

From
$14.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Harvest logo

Harvest

Software

Time tracking software for teams that care about where their time goes

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Harvest has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • 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); Harvest the free plan is one seat and two projects, so it suits a solo freelancer and nothing larger
  • They diverge on capability: Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Harvest covers Time tracking.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Brain.fm and Harvest actually diverge.

Attributes where Brain.fm and Harvest differ
AttributeBrain.fmHarvest
Starting price$14.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, DesktopWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
Founded20152006

Identical on both: 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 Harvest

  • Time tracking
  • Expense tracking
  • Invoicing
  • Project budgets
  • Team capacity
  • Detailed reports
  • Mobile apps
  • Browser extension

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 Harvest
  • ADHD individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentrationnot Harvest
  • Students preparing for exams with learning and meditation supportnot Harvest

Harvest

  • Time tracking against projects and clientsnot Brain.fm
  • Turning tracked time into invoicesnot Brain.fm
  • Expense capture alongside billable hoursnot Brain.fm
  • Team capacity and utilisation reporting on the paid plansnot Brain.fm
  • Feeding billed time into QuickBooks or Xeronot 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)

Harvest

  • The free plan is one seat and two projects, so it suits a solo freelancer and nothing larger
  • Team reporting and unlimited projects require the Teams plan at $9 per seat per month
  • Profitability reporting, timesheet approvals and custom reports need Enterprise at $14 per seat per month
  • SAML single sign-on is Enterprise only
  • QuickBooks, Xero and Stripe integrations are withheld from the free plan

Pricing, plan by plan

Brain.fm

$14.99/month

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

Harvest

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Harvest review.

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 Harvest if

  • You need time tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
  • You also want expense tracking.
Harvest review

Questions people ask

Is Brain.fm or Harvest better?
Neither clearly leads. Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month and Harvest at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brain.fm or Harvest?
Harvest has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $14.99/month for Brain.fm and Free for Harvest.
Does Brain.fm or Harvest run on more platforms?
Brain.fm runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop. Harvest runs on Web, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android.
Can I use Harvest for free?
Yes. Harvest has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month.
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 Harvest is typically brought in for.
What can Brain.fm do that Harvest cannot?
Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks, Sleep tracks. Harvest covers Time tracking, Expense tracking, Invoicing, Project budgets.
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