Brain.fm review: what it is, pricing and who it's for
Music app made for focus, relaxation, sleep and meditation, with sessions sorted by activity.
In short: Music app made for focus, relaxation, sleep and meditation, with sessions sorted by activity. Starting price: US$14.99/month or US$99.99/year. Free plan / trial: Free trial (length not stated on the pricing page). Best for: People who want background music for focus or sleep.
What is Brain.fm?
Brain.fm is a music app built for specific mental tasks. You pick a mode such as Focus, Relax, Sleep or Meditate, then an activity such as Deep Work, Learning, Unwind or Power Nap, and the app plays music made for that use.
The company says it uses a patented sound method, not binaural beats. For example, its focus music filters out high frequencies, and its sleep music uses 3D sound movement. It says its work was funded by a National Science Foundation grant and publishes research on its science page.
Key features
- Four main modes: Focus, Relax, Sleep and Meditate.
- Activities inside each mode, such as Deep Work, Creativity, Destress and Deep Sleep.
- Guided and unguided meditation sessions.
- Focus music designed to filter out distracting high frequencies.
- Sleep music using 3D spatial sound.
- Available on web, iOS, Android and desktop.
- Cancel anytime from your account page.
Plans and pricing
| Plan | Price / limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | US$14.99/month | Full access, billed monthly |
| Yearly | US$99.99/year | Full access, billed annually |
US prices from the official pricing page on 2026-11-15; the yearly plan is billed upfront, and the trial length is not stated on that page.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple choice of modes for different tasks
- Works on phone, web and desktop
- Yearly plan costs much less per month than monthly
- No contract; cancel anytime
Cons
- No free plan after the trial
- Benefits are based on the company's own research and claims
- Monthly price is high for a single-purpose music app
- Not a general music library; you can't play your own songs
Who it's for
Brain.fm suits students and remote workers who like background music for focus or help winding down at night. People happy with free playlists or white-noise apps may not need it.
Frequently asked questions
What is Brain.fm?
Brain.fm is a music app built for specific mental tasks. You pick a mode such as Focus, Relax, Sleep or Meditate, then an activity such as Deep Work, Learning, Unwind or Power Nap, and the app plays music made for that use.
How much does Brain.fm cost?
Brain.fm starts at US$14.99/month or US$99.99/year. US prices from the official pricing page on 2026-11-15; the yearly plan is billed upfront, and the trial length is not stated on that page.
Does Brain.fm have a free plan or free trial?
Free trial (length not stated on the pricing page).
Who is Brain.fm best for?
Brain.fm suits students and remote workers who like background music for focus or help winding down at night. People happy with free playlists or white-noise apps may not need it.
What are the downsides of Brain.fm?
Main drawbacks: No free plan after the trial. Benefits are based on the company's own research and claims. Monthly price is high for a single-purpose music app. Not a general music library; you can't play your own songs.
What are some alternatives to Brain.fm?
Other audio & podcasting options we cover include Uppbeat, PreSonus Studio One, iZotope, RouteNote and Loopcloud.
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This summary is based on Brain.fm's official website, pricing page and public documentation as of November 15, 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm the details on the official site. Some links on this site may be affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure.