Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Setapp VS Brain Workshop

Compare Setapp VS Brain Workshop and see what are their differences

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Setapp logo Setapp

The one place for trusted apps. Hundreds of high-quality apps for your Mac and iPhone, including AI tools.

Brain Workshop logo Brain Workshop

Brain Workshop is a open-source version of the dual n-back brain training exercise.
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25
  • Setapp
    Image date //
    2026-06-25

A unified marketplace for Mac and iPhone users to get hand-picked, trusted apps. Get over 260 apps for a flat fee with Setapp Membership, or purchase individual apps on flexible terms through Setapp Marketplace.

  • Brain Workshop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-11-20

Setapp

Website
setapp.com
$ Details
paid Free Trial $14.99 / Monthly (1 Mac)
Release Date
2017 January

Setapp features and specs

  • Diverse Application Library
    Setapp provides access to a wide range of high-quality Mac applications across different categories, all from a single subscription service.
  • Cost-Effective
    For a monthly fee, users gain access to multiple paid applications, which can be more cost-effective than purchasing individual app licenses.
  • Updates and Upgrades Included
    All apps within Setapp come with automatic updates and upgrades included in the subscription, ensuring users always have the latest features and security patches.
  • Easy Installation and Management
    The Setapp platform provides a user-friendly interface for browsing, installing, and managing applications, simplifying the overall user experience.
  • Free Trial Available
    Setapp offers a 7-day free trial, allowing potential users to explore and evaluate the service before committing to a subscription.

Brain Workshop features and specs

  • Cognitive Enhancement
    Brain Workshop is based on the dual n-back task, a scientifically researched method for improving working memory and fluid intelligence.
  • Customizability
    The software allows for a variety of custom settings, enabling users to tailor their training sessions to their individual preferences and needs.
  • Open Source
    Brain Workshop is open-source software, meaning it is free to use, modify, and distribute, fostering community contributions and transparency.
  • Cross-Platform
    The application is available on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Regular Updates
    The software receives periodic updates and bug fixes, ensuring it remains functional and up-to-date with new features.

Possible disadvantages of Brain Workshop

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Users may find the dual n-back task challenging to understand and master initially, which could discourage continued use.
  • Limited Scientific Support
    While some scientific studies support the dual n-back task, the broader scientific community remains divided on its long-term benefits for cognitive enhancement.
  • User Interface
    The user interface of Brain Workshop is somewhat dated and may not be as intuitive or visually appealing as more modern brain training applications.
  • Lack of Variety
    The primary focus on the dual n-back task may render the software monotonous for users seeking a broader range of cognitive exercises.
  • Resource Intensive
    The application can be resource-intensive, particularly on older computers, which may negatively impact performance.

Analysis of Setapp

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Setapp is considered good for users who frequently use multiple Mac apps and value convenience and flexibility. It provides excellent value for money by offering a diverse selection of reliable and well-crafted applications. However, it might not be the best choice for those who only need a few specific applications or prefer to own their software outright.

Why this product is good

  • Setapp is a subscription-based service that provides access to a wide range of Mac applications for a single monthly fee. Users often find it beneficial because it offers a curated selection of high-quality apps without the need to purchase each one individually. It saves time and money for those who require multiple tools, ensuring they always have the latest versions without additional costs. Furthermore, it simplifies software management by centralizing the process of discovering, updating, and accessing various applications.

Recommended for

    Setapp is recommended for professionals, creatives, and productivity enthusiasts who use a variety of Mac applications regularly and appreciate the ease of access to a comprehensive software library without the hassle of individual purchases. It's also suitable for users who enjoy exploring new tools and apps to enhance their workflow.

Analysis of Brain Workshop

Overall verdict

  • Brain Workshop is considered a good tool for those interested in cognitive training, especially for those who are inclined towards scientifically-supported methods for improving mental faculties. However, users may have varying experiences, and its effectiveness can depend on individual engagement and consistency in using the software.

Why this product is good

  • Brain Workshop is a cognitive training program that is based on the principles of the dual n-back task, which has been shown in some studies to improve working memory and fluid intelligence. The open-source nature of the software allows users to customize and potentially contribute to its development, making it a flexible tool for personal brain training needs.

Recommended for

    This program is recommended for individuals who are interested in enhancing their working memory and cognitive skills, such as students, professionals, and anyone seeking a mental challenge. It is also well-suited for those who appreciate open-source software and tech-savvy users who might want to customize their training experience.

Setapp videos

What's Setapp?

Brain Workshop videos

Rock Me Archimedes from Marbles Brain Workshop

More videos:

  • Review - Stomple Pokie Dokie GoTrio - Marbles Brain Workshop Game Review
  • Review - Oh! Snap from Marbles Brain Workshop

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Setapp and Brain Workshop)
Project Management
100 100%
0% 0
CMS
0 0%
100% 100
Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Social Media Tools
0 0%
100% 100

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Setapp and Brain Workshop.

What's the story behind your product?

Setapp's answer

Setapp was created in 2016 by MacPaw, the company behind apps such as CleanMyMac, ClearVPN, and more. The key idea behind Setapp was to give users a simple way to discover high-quality apps for Mac. Over the years, the catalog has grown to over 260 apps and now includes tools for Mac, iOS, and web. Setapp is localized in eight languages and has users all over the world. Here are the key dates:

November 2016: Setapp closed beta is launched for the press, opinion leaders, and influencers. December 6, 2016: Setapp Beta release. January 25, 2017: Setapp public release. August 6, 2020: Setapp let users install iOS apps. August 11, 2021: Setapp arrives on iPhone and iPad. March, 2026: Single app purchase via Setapp Marketplace is introduced. Now, Setapp includes 260+ apps, 50+ iOS apps, and about 10 web apps with more to come.

What makes your product unique?

Setapp's answer

Setapp's key differentiators:

-Curation. Setapp is a curated platform with trusted, hand-picked apps โ€” not a place filled with self-submitted apps.

-Professional focus. Setapp includes apps aimed at improving productivity and workflows for professionals who rely on their Macs. Setapp users range from developers and marketers to educators, healthcare experts, logistics and retail professionals, and more.

-Flexible access. Users have two ways to get apps: a single-fee subscription to 260+ fully unlocked Mac, iOS, and web apps; or individual app purchases via Setapp Marketplace, for those who need just a few apps rather than the full catalog.

-Security. Setapp holds ISO/IEC 27001:2022, SOC 2, and GDPR certifications. Apps are not permitted to display ads or include hidden in-app purchases.

-AI access. AI+ plans give access to all popular LLM models โ€” GPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok โ€” through a single gateway.

Setapp gives users apps they can count on. Itโ€™s not an endless store but a curated collection of apps worth usersโ€™ time and money.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Setapp's answer

-Quality over volume. The catalog includes only hand-picked, trusted apps. When downloading an app from Setapp, users can be sure it is high quality and safe to use.

-Trusted apps, no fillers. Every app is Apple-notarized, ad-free, fully unlocked, and has no features locked behind additional paywalls. Getting apps through Setapp means avoiding malware and unpleasant surprises.

-Save costs. Setapp Membership offers access to over 260 apps for a flat fee โ€” no need to subscribe to multiple individual apps and juggle subscriptions. In Setapp Marketplace, users can purchase hand-picked, trusted apps individually, with no need to double-check quality or security.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Setapp's answer

Setapp is actively used by professionals who rely heavily on their Macs and want to improve their workflows โ€” including developers, IT specialists, content creators, designers, marketers, writers, educators, students, and specialists in agriculture, logistics, retail, healthcare, and other fields.

User comments

Share your experience with using Setapp and Brain Workshop. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Setapp should be more popular than Brain Workshop. It has been mentiond 15 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Setapp mentions (15)

  • Ask HN: How to Sell as a Software Engineer?
    > I've reached the conclusion that software quality and even price matters much less than distribution, especially now. I highly doubt that is true. We don't yet know how end-users will make purchasing decisions now that almost anyone can build something that "works". Taking AI out of the picture: you still need to define the target market segment before you build anything. You still need to find a way to... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Show HN: BoringBar โ€“ a taskbar-style dock replacement for macOS
    There could be 4x buyers at $10. Iโ€™d be one of the now, the dock is a constant annoyance. The app looks great, downloading the trial now. To the appโ€™s author Iโ€™d say get as many licensees as you can fast before youโ€™re Sherlocked or somebody vibecodes a clone out of โ€œwhy notโ€. I use many free and paid apps, little QoL types, like BetterDisplay, Coctail, etc and for me the included support is of little value. These... - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Coders Coded Their Job Away. Why Are So Many of Them Happy About It?
    I used a bunch of tools from https://setapp.com/ and no longer subscribe. I used to pay for Linear for all my personal projects, built one with CC that perfectly fits my needsโ€ฆ I also built a myriad of small tools that help me automate bunch of busy work I used to do manually, both for professional and personal projects. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Italian Competition Authority Fines Apple $115M for Abusing Dominant Position
    > are there any real 3rd-party AppStores for iOS now "Always has been": Setapp. Very interesting model. Readily recommend devs subscribing to this collection, but non-devs as well if you're into "there's an app for that" and fatigued with IAP. https://setapp.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • The One Productivity Tool You Didn't Know You Can't Live Without
    I use Paste, a very feature rich clipboard manager for Mac with gorgeous UI. It's not free, but it comes along with a Setapp license that I got from work, so if you already have a license you can use it to install Paste. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
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Brain Workshop mentions (10)

  • Try Thinking and Learning Without Working Memory (2008)
    I can attest to the benefits of n-back. I've been doing it for a couple of years now, five days a week for 20-25 minutes. I've noticed a tangible positive difference in both my verbal fluency and my processing speed on days where I engage this protocol. I've benefited so much from this protocol that I [created a mini app just for myself](https://mind-workout.pages.dev/)* as I was unable to find a suitable app for... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • The Overflowing Brain: Information Overload and the Limits of Working Memory
    Have you tried gluten free ginkgo biloba bee pollen salt lamps? Sorry, I had to. But here's an actual real suggestion that may or may not be any better. It's a working memory trainer that I feel has slightly helped improve my own working memory called Brain Workshop. Obviously proper diagnosis and medical treatment would be preferred. https://brainworkshop.sourceforge.net/. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • The Overflowing Brain: Information Overload and the Limits of Working Memory
    There is a good desktop trainer (/game) here: https://brainworkshop.sourceforge.net/ In short, my understanding is that we can't improve it, but that could be very much due to the lack of actual dedicated research. If we could, it would essentially be a super power. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Ask HN: I'm 40 and feel my mental ability declining. Programming seems harder
    Found Brain Work here: https://brainworkshop.sourceforge.net/ and also a browser-based versions of Dual-N-Back here: https://www.brainturk.com/dual-n-back https://brainworkshop.sourceforge.net/. - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago
  • I have no idea how to respond to witty banter
    In addition to what other people are saying re: comedians and practicing, I've also found regularly doing a few rounds of Dual N-Back (or anything else that has me juggle multiple memories while working with logic, like leetcode or logic puzzles) almost magically bumps me up a tier on the banter-o-meter too. Source: almost 4 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Setapp and Brain Workshop, you can also consider the following products

Konfigure - APARTMENTS | VILLA | WORKSPACE | RETAIL

Lumosity - Discover what your mind can do. Improve memory, increase focus, and find calm - with the #1 brain training app. Get started now.

Metavine Platform - Metavine Platform is a comprehensive Platform-as-a-Service that help businesses build agility and compete effectively in the digital world by enabling them to iterate and create apps quickly.

Peak - Peak is the automated way to keep track of what everyone is working on.

QuickBase - Quickbase provides a no-code operational agility platform that enables organizations to improve operations through real time insights and automation across complex processes and disparate systems. โ€‹โ€‹

gbrainy - gbrainy is a brain teaser game and trainer to have fun and to keep your brain trained.