What it does
Brain.fm is a productivity and wellness app that offers "functional music" scientifically engineered to help users focus, relax, sleep, or meditate. It uses patented technology involving rhythmic pulses in the music to modulate brainwaves and guide the user into a desired mental state, a process it calls brainwave modulation.
Where it shines
The app's greatest strength is its structured onboarding (00:00-01:45), which systematically builds a case for its value before asking for money. For example, it visualizes its impact with a "4x more motivated" chart (00:48) and educates users on its core "brainwave modulation" technology (01:10). The player itself is clean and task-oriented, with simple options to set timers (02:41) or switch activities on the fly (03:07), minimizing distractions.
UX highlights
- The quiz-based personalization makes the user feel like they are co-creating their experience from the start.
- Tappable info cards (01:10) explain complex concepts like "Neural Effect Level" in a simple way without cluttering the screen.
- The "Personalizing..." screen (01:29) provides satisfying feedback, showing progress based on the user's quiz answers.
- The main player is minimalist, focusing on the timer and simple controls, which is appropriate for a focus app.
- The "Jump Back In" section on the home screen (02:32) makes resuming recent sessions frictionless.
- Content is clearly categorized by mental state (Focus, Relax, Sleep), which simplifies navigation and choice.
Monetization & growth
After the user completes the personalization quiz, the app presents a soft paywall at 01:46. It offers a 14-day free trial for the yearly plan, which is highlighted with a "SAVE 40%" tag and a monthly price breakdown to make the annual cost seem more affordable. The paywall also includes social proof, with user testimonials and star ratings, to build trust right at the point of conversion.
Who it’s for
The app targets students, professionals, creatives, and anyone looking to improve their mental performance or find calm. It's designed for users who are seeking a tool, not just entertainment, and are receptive to a science-backed approach to productivity and wellness. The customization for ADHD brains (01:02) indicates a focus on neurodivergent users as well.
Notes & opportunities
While the onboarding is very effective at building value, its length could be a point of drop-off for less patient users. After the first session, the app could offer more guidance on discovering new music or understanding advanced settings (3:24). The connection between the initial onboarding choices and the final music selection could also be made even more explicit to reinforce the feeling of personalization.