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Productivity · head to head

Brain.fm vs Streaks

Brain.fm logo

Brain.fm

Productivity

Scientifically-designed music to enhance focus and productivity

From
Free
Rated
-
Streaks logo

Streaks

Productivity

iOS habit tracker sold as a one-time purchase, not a subscription

From
$5.99/one-time
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only Brain.fm 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); Streaks it is iOS and Apple Watch only, with no Android version, so it is not usable for anyone outside Apple's ecosystem.
  • They diverge on capability: Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Streaks covers Streak tracking.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Brain.fm and Streaks differ
AttributeBrain.fmStreaks
Starting priceFree$5.99/one-time
Pricing modelsubscriptionOne-time purchase
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, DesktopiOS
Founded2015Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Productivity).

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 Streaks

  • Streak tracking
  • Apple Health integration
  • Apple Watch app
  • Flexible scheduling
  • Widgets
  • iCloud sync

What people use each for

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

Brain.fm

  • Focus and deep worknot Streaks
  • Sleep improvementnot Streaks
  • ADHD supportnot Streaks
  • Stress reductionnot Streaks
  • Creative work sessionsnot Streaks

Streaks

  • Someone wanting a simple visual habit tracker without recurring subscription feesnot Brain.fm
  • A person wanting habits like step count or sleep to auto-complete via Apple Health datanot Brain.fm
  • An Apple Watch user wanting to log habits without pulling out a phonenot Brain.fm
  • Someone tracking a mix of daily and weekly recurring to-dos in one placenot 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)

Streaks

  • It is iOS and Apple Watch only, with no Android version, so it is not usable for anyone outside Apple's ecosystem.
  • The base app caps at 24 tracked habits, which is enough for most users but a real limit for anyone wanting to track a larger number of items.
  • Sync is via iCloud only, so there is no web or cross-platform account, which limits use to Apple devices exclusively.
  • It has fewer social or accountability features, such as shared habit tracking with friends, compared with some subscription-based competitors.
  • A single lifetime purchase means no ongoing development revenue tied to the individual user, so it depends on new sales and occasional priced major updates rather than recurring income to fund development.

Pricing, plan by plan

Brain.fm

Free
  • Monthly$14.99/month
    • Task-based audio across all categories
    • Focus modes: Deep Work, Creativity, Learning, Light Work, Motivation
    • Relaxation modes: Unwind, Destress, Recharge, Chill
  • Yearly$99.99/year
    • All monthly plan features
    • 40% savings vs. monthly billing
    • Task-based audio across all categories

Streaks

$5.99/one-time
  • Streaks$5.99/one-time
    • Full app, no subscription
    • Up to 24 tracked habits
    • Apple Watch app included

Which should you pick?

Choose Brain.fm if

  • You need neuroscience-designed music.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want focus tracks.

Choose Streaks if

  • You need streak tracking.
  • You work on iOS.
  • You also want apple health integration.

Questions people ask

Is Brain.fm or Streaks better?
Neither clearly leads. Brain.fm starts at Free and Streaks at $5.99/one-time, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brain.fm or Streaks?
Brain.fm has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Brain.fm and $5.99/one-time for Streaks.
Does Brain.fm or Streaks run on more platforms?
Brain.fm runs on Web, iOS, Android, Desktop. Streaks runs on iOS.
Can I use Brain.fm for free?
Yes. Brain.fm has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Streaks starts at $5.99/one-time.
What is Brain.fm best used for?
Brain.fm is most often used for focus and deep work, sleep improvement, adhd support, stress reduction. Of those, focus and deep work and sleep improvement are not what Streaks is typically brought in for.
What can Brain.fm do that Streaks cannot?
Brain.fm covers Neuroscience-designed music, Focus tracks, Relaxation tracks, Sleep tracks. Streaks covers Streak tracking, Apple Health integration, Apple Watch app, Flexible scheduling.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Brain.fm: How much does Brain.fm cost?

Brain.fm costs $14.99/month or $99.99/year. The yearly plan offers 40% savings compared to paying monthly.

Source
Streaks: Is Streaks a subscription?

No, it is a one-time App Store purchase, currently priced around 5.99 USD, with no recurring fee.

Brain.fm: Can I try Brain.fm before paying?

Yes. Brain.fm offers a free trial before you commit to either the monthly or yearly paid plan.

Source
Streaks: Does it work on Android?

No, it is iOS and Apple Watch only.

Brain.fm: What audio modes does Brain.fm offer?

Brain.fm includes task-based audio for Focus (Deep Work, Creativity, Learning, Light Work, Motivation), Relaxation (Unwind, Destress, Recharge, Chill), Sleep (Guided Sleep, Deep Sleep, Sleep and Wake, Wind Down, Power Nap), and Meditation (Guided and Unguided).

Source
Streaks: Does it integrate with Apple Health?

Yes, habits tied to metrics like steps or sleep can auto-complete based on Apple Health data.

Brain.fm: Can I cancel Brain.fm anytime?

Yes. You can cancel at any time from your Account Overview or by contacting support. There are no long-term contracts.

Source
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