BrainHQ’s free trial lasts 7 days and gives you full access to all exercises, personalized training, and progress tracking. Before it ends you can cancel with no charge, or let it convert to $14/month or $96/year. Use the trial fully — do at least 4-5 sessions to genuinely evaluate whether the slow, methodical pace suits you.
BrainHQ is one of the most researched brain training apps and one of the most expensive. Before committing $96/year, the free trial is your chance to genuinely evaluate whether the app suits you. Here is exactly how to use it well.
BrainHQ free trial at a glance
What you actually get during the free trial
The BrainHQ free trial is not a stripped-down demo — it is full access to the paid product for 7 days. Specifically:
Unlimited access to all exercises. Every BrainHQ training module is available. You are not limited to a subset.
Personalized training plan. BrainHQ builds a training plan around your specific goal (attention, memory, processing speed, or general cognitive health) and adjusts as you go.
Progress tracking. See your improvement across each exercise and your overall training program.
All personalization features. Reminders, streak tracking, and the goal-based structure that makes BrainHQ’s approach distinctive.
How to use the 7 days well
The single biggest mistake with free trials is signing up and not using them. Here is what actually helps you make a decision:
Set a goal within 24 hours of signing up. BrainHQ asks you to pick a training goal at the start. Do this thoughtfully — it shapes the personalized plan.
Do at least 4-5 sessions across the 7 days. One session is not enough to feel whether the pace and approach work for you. Aim for daily use.
Try it on both mobile and desktop. BrainHQ works on iOS and the web. Some exercises feel very different on each. Try both to see which fits your habits.
Note the friction points. The two most common frustrations with BrainHQ are: some exercises require landscape mode on mobile (awkward one-handed), and the pace is deliberately slow. If either bothers you in week one, it will bother you in month twelve.
Test the scientific hook. BrainHQ’s differentiator is its ACTIVE Trial research foundation. Read the research notes if the science is important to you.
How to decide whether to keep it
By day 6, ask yourself three honest questions:
Did I actually open the app most days? If yes, the habit is forming and BrainHQ is likely worth $96/year to you. If no, you probably will not use it long-term regardless of price.
Did the slow pace bother me or feel appropriate? BrainHQ is deliberately unhurried. Some users love this; others find it tedious. Which are you?
Does the science justify the premium price for me? BrainHQ costs roughly double Zenelia at $44.99/year, which is also built on ACTIVE Trial research. The BrainHQ premium is real (deeper independent research record) but you have to actually value that premium.
For the full cost breakdown, see our BrainHQ cost guide.
How to cancel the trial
To cancel your BrainHQ free trial:
- Log into your BrainHQ account on the web (easier than mobile for account management)
- Go to Account Settings
- Find Subscription or Membership
- Select Cancel Subscription
- Confirm the cancellation
Do this before day 7 to avoid being charged. BrainHQ automatically converts your trial to a paid subscription at the end of the trial period.
You will typically retain access through the end of your trial period even after cancelling.
Alternatives to consider before subscribing
If BrainHQ’s trial goes well but you are hesitating on the price, three alternatives are worth trying first:
Zenelia — $44.99/year. Also built on ACTIVE Trial research, but at less than half BrainHQ’s cost. Modern adaptive AI approach with a 7-day trial.
Elevate — ~$40/year. Practical skills training (writing, reading, math). Genuinely useful free tier you can explore without any trial.
Peak — ~$35-40/year. Polished all-rounder with strong variety.
For the full comparison, see our best brain training apps roundup.
Common questions
Do you need to enter payment info to start the trial? Yes. BrainHQ requires a card on file. This is standard for free trials that auto-convert.
Can I get a refund if I forget to cancel? BrainHQ’s refund policy varies. Contact their support directly if you miss the cancellation window.
Can I trial BrainHQ multiple times? No — the free trial is limited to new accounts.
Is there a longer trial for annual plans? No. The 7-day trial is the same regardless of which billing plan you would choose after.
What happens on day 8 if I do not cancel? Your account converts to a paid subscription at $14/month (monthly plan) or the annual rate if you selected annual billing.
The bottom line
BrainHQ’s 7-day free trial gives you the full paid experience — no stripped-down demo. Use it deliberately: set a goal early, do 4-5 sessions, try both mobile and desktop, and be honest about whether you would actually open the app in month three. If yes, subscribe. If you found the pace tedious or the interface frustrating, cancel before day 7 and try a cheaper alternative like Zenelia.
For the full BrainHQ picture, see our complete BrainHQ review or the detailed BrainHQ cost guide.