Software · head to head
Brain.fm vs iA Writer
Brain.fm
Software
Scientifically-designed music to enhance focus and productivity
- From
- $14.99/month
- Rated
- -
iA Writer
Software
Distraction-free markdown writer with powerful focus mode
- From
- $4.99/month
- Rated
- -
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); iA Writer licences are per platform rather than per person, at $49.99 for Mac, $49.99 for iPhone and iPad and $29.99 for Windows
- They diverge on capability: Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Brain.fm and iA Writer actually diverge.
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 iA Writer
- Distraction-free writing
- Markdown editing
- Syntax highlighting
- Dark and light themes
- Cross-platform sync
- Typewriter mode
- Focus mode
- Statistics
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 iA Writer
- ADHD individuals seeking neurologically-optimised audio for concentrationnot iA Writer
- Students preparing for exams with learning and meditation supportnot iA Writer
iA Writer
- Distraction free markdown writing on desktop and mobilenot Brain.fm
- Drafting and exporting long form text with focus modenot 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)
iA Writer
- Licences are per platform rather than per person, at $49.99 for Mac, $49.99 for iPhone and iPad and $29.99 for Windows
- Writing on a Mac and a PC therefore means buying the software twice
Pricing, plan by plan
Brain.fm
$14.99/monthNo published plan breakdown. See the Brain.fm review.
iA Writer
$4.99/month- Monthly$4.99/month
- All platforms
- Sync
- All features
- Annual$39.99/year
- All platforms
- Sync
- All features
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.
Choose iA Writer if
- You need distraction-free writing.
- You work on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web.
- You also want markdown editing.
Questions people ask
- Is Brain.fm or iA Writer better?
- Neither clearly leads. Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month and iA Writer at $4.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Brain.fm or iA Writer?
- Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month and iA Writer at $4.99/month.
- Does Brain.fm or iA Writer run on more platforms?
- Brain.fm runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop. iA Writer runs on MacOS, IOS, IPadOS, Android, Web.
- 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 iA Writer is typically brought in for.
- What can Brain.fm do that iA Writer cannot?
- Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks, Sleep tracks. iA Writer covers Distraction-free writing, Markdown editing, Syntax highlighting, Dark and light themes.
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