Softwr

Productivity · head to head

Brain.fm vs Remote

Brain.fm logo

Brain.fm

Productivity

Scientifically-designed music to enhance focus and productivity

From
$14.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Remote logo

Remote

Payroll & Benefits

The new standard for global employment

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Remote 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); Remote employer of Record costs $699 per employee per month, charged per head with no volume tier published
  • They diverge on capability: Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Remote covers Global Payroll.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Brain.fm and Remote differ
AttributeBrain.fmRemote
Starting price$14.99/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, DesktopWeb, Ios, Android
CategoryProductivityPayroll & Benefits
Founded20152019

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Remote

  • Global Payroll
  • EOR Services
  • Contractor Management
  • Compliance
  • Benefits
  • Equity Management
  • HRIS
  • BambooHR

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

Remote

  • Employing staff in countries where you have no legal entity through an employer of recordnot Brain.fm
  • Paying and managing international contractors with compliant agreementsnot Brain.fm
  • Running payroll and HR records for a distributed workforcenot 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)

Remote

  • Employer of Record costs $699 per employee per month, charged per head with no volume tier published
  • Global Payroll carries an implementation fee to set up entities plus a recurring payroll delivery fee on top of the $29 per employee per month rate
  • Contractor Management Plus is $99 per contractor per month against $29 for the standard tier
  • The Equity product is limited to Delaware C-Corps
  • The PEO product bills in USD only and requires a US bank account
  • Remote states it collects reserve payments in high risk circumstances, so an upfront deposit is possible

Pricing, plan by plan

Brain.fm

$14.99/month

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

Remote

Free
  • Contractor Management$29/month
    • Contractor Payments
    • Compliance
    • Contracts
  • Employer of Record$599/month
    • Global Employment
    • Payroll
    • Benefits

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 Remote if

  • You need global payroll.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want eor services.
Remote review

Questions people ask

Is Brain.fm or Remote better?
Neither clearly leads. Brain.fm starts at $14.99/month and Remote at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brain.fm or Remote?
Remote has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $14.99/month for Brain.fm and Free for Remote.
Does Brain.fm or Remote run on more platforms?
Brain.fm runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop. Remote runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use Remote for free?
Yes. Remote 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 Remote is typically brought in for.
What can Brain.fm do that Remote cannot?
Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks, Sleep tracks. Remote covers Global Payroll, EOR Services, Contractor Management, Compliance.
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