Around 74% of adults globally have felt stressed at some point in their lives. It can be caused by biological responses to various modern-day issues like job change, family commitments, financial problems, and more. Stress leads to a wide range of mental and physical health issues.

This is the reason why so many people are looking for brain training apps like Lumosity to improve their mental health. Like any other muscle in our body, we need to train our brain as well. Therefore, apps like Lumosity offer personalized training sessions and progress tracking to improve cognitive skills.

Brain-training apps like Lumosity feature games that can do everything from staving off cognitive decline to improving IQ. If you want to know how to develop a brain training app like Lumosity, you are at the right place. 

In this blog, we’ll explore the essential features of a brain training app like Lumosity. We’ll also throw some light on how you can develop brain training app and the cost to build a cognitive training app in 2025. 

So, let’s get started! 

Market Analysis of Brain Training Apps

According to the InsightAceAnalytic report,  the Global Brain Training Apps Market was valued at USD 11.8 billion in 2024. It is further projected to reach USD 115.8 billion by 2034 at an amazing CAGR of 25.8% during the forecast period for 2025-2034.

• Major companies dominating the brain training apps market include Lumosity, CogniFit, BrainHQ, Peak, Elevate, and Happify. 
• Memory training app developers are now combining AI with biometric feedback and wearable technologies to provide real-time cognitive assessment and training. 
• The most used specific brain training app was Lumosity, with 70% of brain training app users having tried it, showing brand recognition and market dominance.
• It turns out that about 69.3% of users believe brain training apps really help boost their attention. This shows that improving focus is a major reason why people choose to use them.

In the next section, let’s check out why users prefer brain training apps like Lumosity to boost cognitive ability. 

What is Driving the Popularity of Brain Training Apps Among Users?

Many startups are now focusing on cognitive training app development because of its demand among users. This popularity is due to several factors that resonate with users seeking to improve their cognitive abilities. 

• 1: Growing Interest in Cognitive Wellness

People today are much more conscious about their mental health and cognitive strength than ever before. It’s not just about preventing memory decline in older adults; young professionals are also engaged with activities that promise sharper thinking. Moreover, a meta-analysis in BMC Psychiatry looked at cognitive training in people with mental disorders and found measurable neural changes in executive function tasks. So it’s not just healthy users who benefit.

• 2: Gamification Keeps Users Engaged

One of the biggest draws of brain training app development is the use of gamification. Instead of presenting exercises as dull or repetitive, apps turn them into challenges that users want to overcome. This game-like environment keeps motivation high and helps users stick with their cognitive training routines. 

A 2024 study named Driving Mobile App User Engagement Through Gamification observed usage data from 18,952 users of a gamified market research app. It found that game rewards like points, levels, etc., significantly increased engagement, more than “value rewards” (discounts, etc.). 

• 3: Personalized Training Programs

These days, users want experiences that really cater to their individual needs, and brain training apps are stepping up to the plate. A lot of apps like Lumosity harness the power of AI analytics to evaluate a user’s strengths and weaknesses, then tailor exercises to fit. This level of personalization fosters a sense of achievement, which is what keeps users coming back for more.

• 4: On-the-Go Accessibility

Convenience plays a major role in the cognitive games app development. Nowadays, people can engage in cognitive exercises right from their mobile phones. A Survey of Engagement with Mindfulness and Brain Training Apps also noted that ease of access and digital format lower barriers to starting and maintaining usage. This kind of accessibility makes cognitive fitness a breeze for those with busy schedules.

Also Read: AI in gaming: Benefits and Use Cases 

What is the Lumosity App? A Quick Introduction 

Developed by Lumos Labs in 2007, Lumosity is a popular brain training app and online program. The app provides over 40 interactive activities and games to enhance core cognitive skills. These games also adapt in difficulty based on a user’s performance. 

This medical health app claims to be research-based, collaborating with neuroscientists and leveraging proven cognitive tasks transformed into engaging challenges. With over 100 million users worldwide, Lumosity is designed for individuals of all ages who wish to challenge their minds and maintain mental sharpness. Lumosity has garnered some great feedback from users, boasting a solid 4.7-star rating on the Apple App Store.

Feature	Description
Purpose	Brain training for memory, attention, flexibility, speed, and problem-solving
Number of Games	40+ interactive, adaptive games
Personalization	Fit Test, tailored regimens, skill targeting
Science Basis	Inspired by cognitive and neuropsychological research
Effectiveness	Mixed scientific evidence, regulatory limitations
User Base	Over 100 million users in 182 countries

What’s Unique About the Lumosity App?

To create a brain training app like Lumosity, you should know what makes the platform so unique and demanding. Lumosity has established itself as the best brain training app with over 100 million users worldwide. Let us look at some of the characters that make it unique:

• Lumosity doesn’t just give you random brain games. Right when you start, you can set “Training Preferences” across cognitive areas like memory, attention, flexibility, problem-solving, and speed. 
• Lumosity offers exercises and games, like “Estuary Shuffle” for improving flexibility and “Space Race” for boosting processing speed, that are deeply rooted in cognitive science.
• One of the standout features is the LPI, short for Lumosity Performance Index. It gives you three different levels: Game LPI (how you do in each game), Cognitive Area LPI (how you do across games that target a cognitive domain), and your overall cognitive LPI. 

How Lumosity Actually Works: A Step-by-Step Look

Before you make plans to create a brain training app like Lumosity, you must understand how the app works. In this section, we have given detailed insights into how Lumosity works: 

1: Sign up and set a starting point

You start by creating an account and sharing a few basics like age, any training preferences, and how often you want to play. The app then gives you an initial set of short assessment games to establish a baseline. 

2: The app builds a personalized workout

Lumosity uses the answers you provided, plus that first performance data to create daily workouts tailored to you. The mix of games aims to cover different cognitive areas rather than repeat the same task over and over. Over time, your daily session reflects what you need most.

3: Games adapt in real time to your performance

 As you play, the software tracks speed, accuracy, mistakes, and reaction times. If you find a game easy, the difficulty rises. If you struggle, the game eases up so you can practice the same skill without getting stuck.

4: Focused training across core skills

The platform groups games around cognitive skills such as memory, attention, processing speed, flexibility, and problem-solving. Here, each game targets one or more of those skills.

5: Scores and the Lumosity Performance Index (LPI)

Lumosity converts game results into scores and into the Lumosity Performance Index. There’s a Game LPI, a Cognitive-Area LPI, and an overall LPI. These numbers let you track progress in specific games, across a skill area, and overall compared with your past self and people in the same age group.

6: Insights that explain your pattern

Beyond raw scores, Lumosity surfaces insights like whether you tend to prioritize speed over accuracy, or which cognitive areas improved the most over a month. 

7: Motivation and habit features

To keep people coming back, the app offers streaks, badges, reminders, daily goals, and optional social leaderboards. 

8: Research and data use

Lumosity runs a research program and has contributed to peer-reviewed studies. The company also shares deidentified gameplay data with researchers through initiatives like the Human Cognition Project. 

9: Content updates and subscription model

The basic app provides free content, while a paid subscription unlocks more games, deeper analytics, and larger workout options. The team updates games periodically and introduces new exercises to keep training fresh.

Lumosity offers a tiered subscription service to access its premium features within its brain training app. In the next sedition, let’s see how much the brain training app development costs to use. 

How Lumosity App Makes Money?

Mental fitness app development requires a significant investment, and to get the best ROI, you must know various monetization methods. Here are some ways in which apps like Lumosity make money: 

• 1: Subscription Model 

The biggest share of Lumosity’s revenue comes from its subscriptions. This means users can access a limited set of games for free, but if they want the full library, they need to pay a certain amount. However, the pricing details can fluctuate, but generally, you can expect monthly subscriptions to fall between $12 and $15. For yearly subscriptions, the range is typically around $60 to $80.

• 2: Advertising 

While free users play games, they often see ads in between sessions. These ads provide another revenue stream for Lumosity clone app development. It’s a trade-off: users get free access to some training content, but they need to watch or interact with ads. For Lumosity, this means they earn even from those who never move to a paid subscription.

• 3: Freemium Model

Lumosity operates on the freemium principle. That means the app hooks users in with free features, but the real value lies in the paid version. The free version lets you try a handful of games daily, which is just enough to keep you interested but limited enough to encourage upgrading. This model works well for apps focused on long-term habits, since consistent exposure builds the desire for more features.

• 4: Selling Wellness Products

While subscriptions are still at the heart of what Lumosity does, the company has branched out into other wellness-related areas. Over the years, they've experimented with various products, including memory and attention assessments, workplace wellness packages, and tailored training programs for schools and organizations. These initiatives enable Lumosity to tap into groups that recognize the benefits of structured brain training tools.

Key Features to Develop a Brain Training App Like Lumosity

A business must know about all the features before embarking on cognitive games app development. In this section, we have described the essential features of a brain training app. Let’s see them one by one: 

Essential Features of Brain Training App 

Here is the list of key features that are important to build an app like Lumosity: 

• 1: Initial Cognitive Assessment: 

This feature helps create personalized training plans by starting with a baseline test to understand users’ strengths and weaknesses.

• 2: Personalized Training Plans: 

The feature allows customization of exercises and game routines based on user assessments and their progress. It also adjusts dynamically as they improve.

• 3: Adjustable Difficulty: 

Games will automatically adjust in complexity depending on how users perform. This feature of the gamified cognitive training app ensures that challenges remain balanced and engaging.

• 4:Progress Tracking: 

The progress tracking turns data into comprehensive stats and graphs that allow users to keep an eye on their cognitive improvements over time.

• 5: Gamification: 

Luminosity is a cognitive training app development solution that includes gamification features with leaderboards, achievements, badges, daily reminders, and levels to motivate users and reward milestones.

• 6: User Profile Management: 

The Lumsoity brain training app development profile management feature is important as it allows customization of user profiles, adjustment of preferences, and review of achievements.

• 7: Notifications and Reminders: 

With the help of this feature, you can send prompts to users for daily sessions, updates, and new challenges to maintain engagement.

Advanced AI Features of Apps like Lumosity 

An AI brain training app like Lumosity utilizes artificial intelligence that you should consider to ensure effective outcomes. Here are the advanced features you can consider when going for cognitive training app development:

• 1: AI-Powered Personalization:

The app uses machine learning algorithms to analyze and refine user training plans continuously. The data is extracted on the basis of users' performance by identifying strengths and weaknesses. AI personization is relatively new and can impact your brain training app development cost if you want to integrate it. 

• 2: Neurofeedback & Biometric Integration: 

The Lumosity app incorporates features such as heart rate tracking and real-time cognitive feedback for deeper insights that make the data points more accurate.

• 3: AI Chatbots:

Users can receive real-time guidance from AI chatbots, which offer helpful suggestions and answer their questions. These chatbots use natural language processing to communicate with users in a way that feels human. This cuts down on the need to hire a customer support team. As a result, users remain satisfied, and businesses can save on operational costs.

• 4: Offline Access and Cross-Device Sync: 

With the help of offline functionality, your app can enable training sessions without an internet connection. The feature also provides seamless switching between devices to elevate the user experience.

User Experience Considerations for Brain Training App Development 

• 1: User-Friendly Interface: 

Apps like Lumosity have a clear and easy-to-navigate user interface. It is accessible to all age groups. An intuitive interface allows users to perform actions faster and with fewer errors. Moreover, better UI correlates with higher conversion rates as it significantly boosts customer satisfaction.

• 2: Accessibility:

Brain training platforms like Lumosity are designed for a range of platforms (smartphones, tablets, computers) and support various user needs. This is very important to reach a wider audience. 

All the above information becomes irrelevant if you don't know how to develop a brain training app like Lumosity. So, without wasting time, let’s see that in the next section. 

 How To Build a Brain Training App Like Lumosity?

Creating a brain training app like Lumosity requires more than just fun games. It’s a careful mix of everything that memory training app developers understand. Every step plays a role in making the app both useful and enjoyable. Here we have discussed those steps more profoundly: 

Step 1: Detailed Market Research 

Going for cognitive training app development like Lumosity begins with some solid research. This means diving into what competitors like Peak and Elevate are doing, checking out user reviews, and figuring out what people love or hate about the current apps out there. 

You’ll also want to look at industry reports to see if users are more interested in memory training or just overall cognitive improvement. This initial step will help you carve out a clear path and make sure you’re not just churning out another run-of-the-mill app, but something that truly meets people’s needs.

Step 2: Determine App Objectives and Features

Once you’ve got a handle on the market, the next step is to set your goals. A mental fitness app development needs to have a clear mission. Are you looking to help users boost their memory, enhance their focus, or monitor their overall brain health? With those goals in mind, you can create a feature set that really works. Common features might include 

• Daily Personalized Workouts
• Cognitive Assessments
• Progress Tracking
• Engaging Exercises

If you have a solid direction from the start, you can save time by keeping the brain fitness app development services on track.

Step 3: Expert Collaboration

To develop an app like Lumosity that truly feels genuine and is backed by science, it's crucial to team up with experts. You must collaborate with neuroscientists, psychologists, and cognitive researchers to elevate your app beyond mere entertainment. Their insights help ensure that the exercises are scientifically grounded and can genuinely enhance cognitive abilities. 

Step 4: Develop a User Assessment System

The experience for new users should begin with an assessment. Just like Lumosity, the app can run short tests during onboarding to establish a baseline. These tests might measure skills in memory, flexibility, or problem-solving. The results then allow the app to build a personalized training plan. This makes users feel that the app is made for them rather than giving everyone the same routine.

Step 5:Game Development 

At the heart of a gamified cognitive training app are the games themselves. They need to be fun, simple, and effective. Each game should target a specific cognitive skill and be designed to adapt as the user improves. For example, if a user performs well, the difficulty should increase to keep things challenging. If they struggle, the game should scale back slightly so they don’t feel discouraged. 

This game development strategy reflects the principle of neuroplasticity, where the brain strengthens through properly scaled challenges.

Step 6:Neuroplasticity and Adaptive Training

A top-notch brain training app should be able to adapt to each user’s performance in real time.. This idea is built on neuroplasticity, which loosely translates into the brain’s ability to change and grow stronger with practice. 

When a user is doing well, the app should ramp up the difficulty to keep things interesting. On the flip side, if they’re having a tough time, it should dial back the challenge a bit so they can still feel like they’re making progress. 

Step 7:Progress Tracking and Visualization

Progress tracking is a key factor that keeps users engaged. People love to see their improvement, which is why dashboards and performance graphs are so important. Having a clear visual representation of growth over weeks or months really motivates users to return. 

Step 8:Community and Social Features

One of the prime benefits of community-driven features like leaderboards or challenges is that they can add an exciting layer of motivation. Moreover, it allows people to compete with friends or compare their progress with others. You should be working with the right brain training app development company to get this done without any hassle. 

Step 9:Security and Testing

No app can truly thrive without rigorous testing and a strong focus on security. Brain training applications like Lumosity deal with sensitive user data, which is why it is essential to safeguard this information. Additionally, the app should undergo several rounds of usability testing to ensure that the games are enjoyable and also free of bugs.

Step 10:Launch and Update 

Once the app is all set, launching it is just the first step. After the launch, it’s crucial to roll out regular updates to keep the app fresh and engaging. This means introducing new games, fine-tuning features based on user feedback, and staying up-to-date with the latest in brain training research. 

What is the Cost of Developing a Brain Training App Like Lumosity? 

The cost of creating a brain training mobile application similar to Lumosity depends on several factors. The factors can be the complexity of the application, feature set, platform choice (iOS, Android, or both), and the geographical location of the memory training app developers. 

Typically, the cost to create an app like Lumosity starts around $20,000 to $50,000 for a basic version. On the other hand, an advanced version with AI integration can go up to $100,000 or more. 

Here is the table where we break down the brain training app development cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stage	Cost Range	Estimated Timeframe
Research & Development (R&D)
Neuroscientist Consultation	$5,000 – $10,000	2 – 4 weeks
Market Research	$5,000 – $7,500	3 – 6 weeks
Front-End Development
User Interface (UI) Design	$15,000 – $25,000	4 – 8 weeks
Game Design	$10,000 – $20,000	6 – 12 weeks
Back-End Development
Data Storage & Security	$10,000 – $15,000	4 – 6 weeks
Personalization Algorithms	$5,000 – $10,000	6 – 10 weeks
App Features
Basic Features	$3,000 – $7,000	2 – 4 weeks
Advanced Features (per feature)	$5,000 – $10,000	3 – 6 weeks each
Testing & Quality Assurance (QA)
Functionality Testing	$3,000 – $5,000	1 – 2 weeks
Performance Testing	$5,000 – $10,000	1 – 3 weeks
Usability Testing	$5,000 – $15,000	2 – 4 weeks
UI/UX Design
User Interface (UI)	$3,000 – $10,000	2 – 4 weeks
User Experience (UX)	$10,000 – $20,000	3 – 6 weeks
Total Cost Range	$20,000 – $100,000+	6 – 12 months

You must consult with a dedicated mobile app development company to get the right cost estimate for your brain training app. Memory training app developers usually charge $50 to $100 per hour in countries like the USA, UK, and Poland. On the other hand, you can hire app developers in the UAE, India, and Singapore starting at $20 to $40 per hour. 

Required Teck Stacks to Develop a Brain Training App

Here is the technology stack that you require to build a brain training app like Lumisoity. Remember, going for an advanced app with high-end technologies can significantly increase the cost to build a cognitive training app in 2025. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category	Tech Stack / Tools	Purpose
Front-End Development	React Native, Flutter, Swift (iOS), Kotlin/Java (Android), Unity3D, Lottie	Build cross-platform or native mobile apps, design UI, add animations & interactive games
UI/UX Design	Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch	Wireframing, prototyping, user experience design
Back-End Development	Node.js (Express.js/NestJS), Python (Django/FastAPI), Go, Java (Spring Boot)	Server-side logic, API development, data handling
Databases	PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis	Store structured & unstructured data, caching for performance
Cloud & Hosting	AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, Firebase	App hosting, storage, real-time sync, push notifications
Game Development	Unity3D, Unreal Engine, Blender, Maya	Develop brain-training games, 3D/2D graphics, animations
AI & Personalization	TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, Reinforcement Learning	Adaptive difficulty, recommendation engines, personalization
NLP (if chatbot/voice)	OpenAI API, spaCy, Rasa	Chatbot/voice assistant for engagement
Security & Compliance	OAuth 2.0, JWT, Firebase Auth, SSL/TLS, AES	Authentication, data protection, GDPR/HIPAA compliance
Analytics & Monitoring	Google Analytics (Firebase), Mixpanel, Amplitude, LogRocket, Sentry	Track user behavior, monitor performance, error logging
Payment Gateway	Stripe, PayPal, Razorpay, Apple/Google In-App Purchases	Monetization, subscription models, in-app purchases

Top 10 Competitors in the Brain Training Apps Market

Here is the list of the top 10 best Brain training apps that are available in the market: 

App Name	Standout Features	Platforms Available	Estimated Downloads	Ratings
Lumosity	Daily personalized workouts; Baseline "fit test" to tailor difficulty	Android, iOS, Web	Over 100 million	4.5 / 5
Peak	45 brain games; daily workouts; focus on mental agility	Android, iOS	10 million installs on Android	4.2 / 5
Elevate	Custom-learning paths; games to improve vocabulary	Android, iOS	16.8 million	4.6 / 5
NeuroNation	Science-based cognitive training focuses on memory, concentration	Android, iOS	10 million	4.6 / 5
Brain Games – Left vs Right	Mini-games are divided by categories like awareness, reflex	Android, iOS	5 million	4.5 / 5
MentalUP	Over 150 brain games; customizable by age	Android, iOS	–	4.5 / 5
Memorado	Neuroscience-based brain games	Android, iOS	–	4.0 / 5
Brain Training	Classic mini-games for focus	Android, iOS	10 million installs	4.1 / 5
Train Your Brain: Memory Game	Simple memory-based challenges; multiple languages	Android, iOS	5 million	4.5 / 5
Impulse – Brain Training Games	Quick brain workouts; diversified training plans	iOS, Android	100+ million	4.7 / 5

How Businesses Benefit from Creating a Brain-Training App Like Lumosity?

Creating a brain training app like Lumosity offers significant benefits for businesses to generate great revenue. Here are some of the reasons why you should develop an app like Lumosity: 

• 1:Revenue Opportunities

A brain training app has the potential to bring in revenue from various sources. By offering free trials or basic access, the app can draw in users who might later upgrade to premium subscriptions for enhanced features. Additionally, businesses can team up with wellness brands or corporate wellness initiatives to create even more revenue opportunities.

• 2:Brand Reputation and Market Reach

Creating a brain-training app that’s grounded in science and thoughtfully designed can really elevate a company’s standing as a leader in cognitive wellness. These apps attract a diverse audience, which helps to broaden the user base and increase market reach. With features like AI personalization, the app gives the company a leg up on the competition.

• 3:Flexibility for Business Models

One of the advantages of brain training apps like Lumosity is that companies can tailor their products to suit various audiences. This technology can be uniquely branded, which allows businesses to provide customized solutions aimed at improving organizational training and boosting productivity.

Final Thoughts: Building a Brain-Training App

Needless to say, the popularity of the brain training apps is growing with each passing day. It offers a great chance for businesses to generate a new source of income through an app where user engagement is high. Therefore, it’s a good time to invest in a brain training app. 

The lifestyle we lead today brings a lot of stress and chaos to our brains. Which is why it becomes important for people who deal with hyper-cognitive functioning to use such apps. 

On the flip side, businesses should come up with more advanced solutions that can help improve brain functioning. 

Want to Build a Brain-Training App Like Lumosity with Apptunix 

Apptunix is a leading mobile app development company with 12+ years of experience. We develop solutions that resonate with your target audience and enhance user engagement. 

Our company boasts a team of 250+ tech experts who are well-versed in the latest technologies to offer an out-of-the-box solution. We help you collaborate with professionals and top industry minds to outpace the competitors. A brain training app like Lumosity is tricky to build, and we know how to deliver. 

Apptunix is trusted by leading enterprises and clients all around the globe. We are known for delivering the best brain fitness app development services by keeping cost and quality in mind. 

So what’s next? 

You can schedule a free 45-minute consultation with our experts and learn how we can help you develop a brain training app like Lumisoity. We also provide a free cost estimate based on your business goals. 

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Q 1.How much does it cost to develop a brain training app?

The brain training app development cost depends on factors like complexity, feature set, and the location of the team. Typically, a basic app cost of creating the app can be around $20,000 to $50,000. However, an advanced app like Lumosity can go up to $100,000 or more. Consult with a reliable company to get a price estimate.

Q 2.How do brain training apps work?

Brain training apps are designed to engage you through fun games and exercises that challenge your brain. The goal is to boost those all-important neural connections and enhance cognitive skills.

Q 3.How long does it take to develop a brain training app?

A brain training app development timeline depends on its complexity and features list. A basic app can be built in 2 to 3 months, while an app like Lumosity with gamification and scientific integrations might take 4 to 6 months or more. 

Q 4.What are some key features of a brain training app?

Here are some of the most popular features of a brain training app typically include the following:

• Personalized Training
• Variety of Games and Exercises
• Adjustable Difficulty
• Progress Tracking and Insights
• Daily Exercises and Reminders
• Gamification and Social Features
• Scientific Basis
• User-Friendly Interface

Q 5.How to make money from a brain training app?

Well, making money from a brain training app can be achieved mainly through the following monetization strategies:

1. Freemium Model
2. Subscription Model
3. In-App Advertising
4. In-App Purchases
5. Partnerships and Bulk Sales
6. Sponsorship and Sponsored Content
7. Pay-per-Download

Q 6.Do brain training apps like Lumosity really work?

Honestly, one that neuroscientists and everyday users have debated for years. The short answer is: yes, brain training apps can help increase focus and boost brain activity. Several studies have shown that brain training apps like Lumosity, Elevate, and Peak can improve specific cognitive skills.