Cross Platform Brain Training & Memory Improvement Apps

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 2 :  Android Exclusive
Part 3 : iOS Exclusive

Introduction

These smartphone apps are based on the premise that being submersed in an enriched environment with lots of mental stimulation will produce positive brain changes, promote mental health, and improve cognitive & psychological functioning based on neuroplasticity (the brain's ability to remodel nerve cell connections through experience)
 
In particular these types of games focus on improving memory, problem solving skills, processing speed, increasing overall I.Q., or enhancing other cognitive skills particularly in older adults where some studies have indicated that they can be helpful in preventing age-related memory decline and reducing the risk of dementia by lessening the probability of developing brain plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
 
The smartphone games listed below are amongst the most well received and highly rated across both the Apple iOS & Android platforms. They are mostly available in the form of free trials with further premium content (such as upgrades, access to further games & levels, or monthly subscriptions) available through in app purchases.

Cross Platform Apps

Luminosity Brain Trainer

• iOS | Android | Website (Free - With in-app purchases)
• Combines 35 daily training sessions with 7 different brain games designed to enhance your various cognitive abilities including memory,  processing speed, attention, flexibility, and problem solving.

Elevate - Brain Training Games

• iOS | Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
  
• Features 40+ games designed in collaboration with experts in education,  neuroscience, and cognitive learning for improving critical cognitive skills like focus, memory, processing, math, precision, and comprehension. Includes detailed performance tracking and personalized daily workouts.

Peak – Brain Games & Training

• iOS | Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
  
• Includes 35+ games to challenge your Memory, Attention, Problem Solving, Mental Agility, Language, Coordination, Creativity and Emotion Control that were designed in collaboration with experts in neuroscience, cognitive science and education. Compete with friends, play offline, & track improvements. Pro version includes advanced training modules, more games, and ad free interface.

NeuroNation - Focus and Brain Training

• iOS | Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
• Features 29 fun exercises and 8 tailored courses for staying focused, sharpening your mind, improving memory, thinking faster, and achieving success. Based on the studies of neuroscientists from the Free University of Berlin.

Fits Brain Trainer

• iOS | Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
  
• 60+ fun games(35 available in-app), 500+ daily workout sessions, & in-depth performance reports for targeting all 6 major areas of the brain including memory, epeed of thinking, concentration, problem solving, language and visual-spatial learning. Designed by neuroscientists including Dr. Nussbaum is a leading brain expert in clinical Neuropsychology.
  

Brainwell Mind & Brain Trainer

• iOS | Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
  
• More than 50+ games meant for both kids and adults (including 3 different games per day for free) for training attention, problem solving, memory, language, critical thinking, and visual skills. Developed under the leadership of experts in the fields of neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and neuropsychology

BrainHQ

• iOS |  Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
  
• A training system to comprehensively improve brain function from basic elements of perception through complex elements of memory, thinking, and decision-making. Focuses on improving functional changes such as better memory and faster processing speed, real-world abilities such as safer driving and lowering the chance of depressive symptoms, and physical brain changes such as healthier white matter and more coordinated neurons. The core set of exercises are available for free. Represents the culmination of 30 years of research in neurological science and related medicine by top scientists from around the world.

Mind Games - Brain Training Games

• iOS | Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
  
• A collection of games based in part on principles derived from cognitive tasks to help you practice different mental skills including attention training, abstraction, divided attention, facial recognition, math star, memory flow, and more. Includes a handful of free games + trial games that can be tested out 3 times before buying.

Memorado

• iOS | Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
  
• Improve your memory, concentration, reaction, logic and mathematical skills with 24 fun and challenging mind games over 720 levels. Includes 4 mindfulness exercises to lower stress as well as personalized daily workouts, tests, and statistics to track your progress. Created by an in-house team of neuroscientists.
  

Clockwork Brain Training

• iOS | Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
  

• 17 challenging games specifically created to test the cognitive skills  of memory, attention, reasoning, dexterity, and language. Includes in-depth statistics, customized training, and features bite-sized, fast-paced gameplay and adaptive difficulty using a distinctive, hand-painted graphics in a Victorian Steampunk and Mayan art style.

Brain Yoga Brain Training Game

• iOS | Android | Website (Free with in-app purchases)
  
• 11 puzzle games with 10 difficulty levels to train your memory, vocabulary, numeracy, spatial ability and pattern matching in a relaxing way a few minutes per day. No timer pressure, no high scores, just diverting puzzles to help reduce your stress while playing.

Brain School™ - Training Games

• iOS | Android | (Free with ads & in-app purchases)
• 20 games with 100 levels of puzzles for verbal, spatial, numerical, and musical training. Includes 4 types of exams & progress reports and was developed with the help of over 100+ puzzle players.