| Feature | Lumosity | MindArena | Elevate | BrainHQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59/year | 100% Free | $40/year | $96/year |
| Login Required | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Number of Games | 50+ | 16 (core) | 40+ | 29 |
| Works in Browser | Yes | Yes | No (app only) | Yes |
| No App Download | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Global Leaderboards | No | Yes | No | No |
| Daily Challenges | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Brain Age Score | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
In 2016, the FTC sued Lumosity for deceptive advertising — specifically for claiming their games would reduce Alzheimer's risk and improve school performance in ways that weren't supported by evidence. They settled for a $2 million fine.
This doesn't mean brain training doesn't work — it does, as covered in our science of brain training article. It means Lumosity's specific marketing claims were overblown. The games themselves are effective, but the same type of games are available for free elsewhere.
MindArena covers all the cognitive domains that Lumosity charges for:
Plus: global leaderboards, daily challenges, brain age score, XP system, streaks, and achievements — all free, no login required.
Dual N-Back is the most research-validated working memory training protocol in cognitive science. It's free (brainscale.net and others), but very demanding. Best for people who want the most scientifically rigorous training available.
Developed by neuroscientists at Cambridge and Western University. Their basic testing suite is free. More academic in presentation but scientifically validated.
Peak offers 5 free games per day with no subscription. Good for people who want a mobile-first experience with a clean UI. The free tier is genuinely usable.
If you were paying for Lumosity, you can stop. The cognitive benefits of brain training come from the games themselves — the act of challenging your memory, speed, and reasoning in varied ways. You don't need to pay $59/year for that.
MindArena offers the same core game types, global competition, and tracking features completely free. Bookmark it and use it as your daily 10-minute brain workout.
16 brain training games. No subscription, no login, no download. Forever free.
Start Training Free →MindArena — 16 brain games, no subscription, no login. Also worth trying: Cambridge Brain Sciences (free testing), Peak (5 free games/day), and Dual N-Back (free, research-grade).
Not at $59/year when free alternatives exist. Lumosity was also fined $2M by the FTC for overstated claims. The games are decent but not uniquely better than free options.
Yes. MindArena offers 16 brain training games completely free with no account needed. The cognitive benefit comes from the training itself, not the app wrapper.
16 games covering memory, logic, speed, reaction time, and language. All free at mindarenagames.com — no login required.