Lumosity is one of the best-known brain training apps in the world, and it's often the first one people try. If you're an older adult, or you're choosing an app for a parent, you might be wondering whether it's the right fit, or whether something calmer and simpler would suit better.
This guide gives Lumosity a fair hearing, then looks at five alternatives with different strengths. All details below were checked on 2 October 2026 against each app's official website and US App Store listing. Prices and features change, so confirm the current listing before you subscribe.
First, Is Lumosity Good for Seniors?
For many people, yes. According to its App Store listing, Lumosity offers more than 40 games that adapt as you play, covering memory, attention, problem solving, speed, flexibility, math and words. Each day it builds a personalized workout, and new users can take a 10-minute "Fit Test" to get started. It runs on iPhone, iPad and Android, and in a web browser.
There's a free account with limited daily play and a Premium membership. In the US App Store, the one-month plan is listed at about $15, and yearly plans range from about $36 to $89 depending on the offer.
Lumosity is also open about its research. Its website describes a randomized study in which Lumosity users improved more than a control group on its assessments, and adds that more research is needed to know how those gains connect to everyday tasks.
So why look elsewhere? Usually for one of these reasons:
- Pace. Many games are built around speed. Some people love that; others find it stressful.
- Design. Lumosity was made for adults of all ages, not specifically for older eyes and hands.
- Language. The US App Store lists English as the app's language.
- Cost. People who only want a few minutes a day may prefer a smaller free option.
Lumosity Alternatives at a Glance
| App | Style | Free option | Price (US, about) | Ads label on App Store | Designed for older adults |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lumosity | 40+ fast, varied games, daily workout | Limited daily play | $15/month; $36–$89/year | No | No |
| SilverMind | Calm daily workout of 3 exercises, big text | Some exercises free | See App Store | No ads | Yes |
| BrainHQ | Research-based exercises, 6 categories | One free daily exercise | $14/month or $96/year | No | Partly |
| Elevate | Reading, writing, speaking, memory, math | Limited | $10/month or $40/year | Yes | No |
| Peak | 40+ games, short workouts | Limited | $4–$35 depending on plan | Yes | No |
| AARP Staying Sharp | Lifestyle challenges plus games | With AARP membership | Included with membership | No | Yes |
"Ads label" means the listing's "Contains: Advertising" note. It doesn't say whether paying members see ads, so check in the app.
1. SilverMind: Calm, Big-Text Daily Exercises
Best for: Older adults who want something simple and unhurried
SilverMind is our own app, so please weigh this entry with that in mind. We built it for older adults from the start. Text is set large in Atkinson Hyperlegible, a typeface designed for low-vision readers. Buttons are big, each screen asks you to do one thing, and nothing rushes you.
Each day, SilverMind suggests a short workout of three exercises, about six minutes in all, drawn from memory, attention, speed, words and reasoning. Exercises have plain names like Shopping List, Word Recall, Match Up and Mini Sudoku. Difficulty adjusts as you go, and streaks show your consistency.
There are no ads. Some exercises are free for good, and Premium unlocks everything after a 7-day free trial. The app works on iPhone and iPad (not Android) and is available in 14 languages.
Where Lumosity is the better fit: If you want a very large variety of games, a web version or an Android app, Lumosity offers more.
2. BrainHQ: For Research-Minded Users
Best for: People who want exercises with a long research record
BrainHQ comes from Posit Science. It has more than two dozen exercises in six categories: attention, brain speed, memory, people skills, intelligence and navigation. The company says more than 100 published papers support its exercises, and its App Store description cites the NIH-funded ACTIVE study, a large trial of cognitive training in older adults.
According to the BrainHQ FAQ, the free version gives you a "Daily Spark" exercise until you earn five stars each day. Full access costs about $14 a month or $96 a year. BrainHQ says some Medicare Advantage plans offer it as a member benefit, so it's worth asking your plan. It works in a browser and on iPhone, iPad and Android.
The look is functional rather than playful, and some exercises repeat a lot by design. For people who value the research behind a program, that's a fair trade.
3. Elevate: For Words and Everyday Math
Best for: People who enjoy vocabulary, reading and mental arithmetic
Elevate says it has more than 40 games to strengthen reading, writing, speaking, memory and math, with a personalized daily workout of a few minutes. If crosswords and quick sums are your thing, it's a natural choice.
In the US App Store, Elevate is listed at about $10 a month or $40 a year, with a free trial, and there's a limited free version. Its listing carries the "Contains: Advertising" label. It's available on iPhone, iPad and Android, in English.
For a head-to-head look, see our Elevate vs Lumosity comparison.
4. Peak: For a Modern, Varied Feel
Best for: Tech-comfortable users who like short, game-like challenges
Peak offers more than 40 games across areas such as focus, memory, problem solving, mental agility, language and coordination. It has quick "Coffee Break" workouts of under five minutes, and says it works with scientists from universities including Cambridge and Yale.
Peak has a free version and a Pro subscription. US App Store prices for Pro range from about $4 to $35 depending on plan and offer. The listing carries the "Contains: Advertising" label. Peak is available in 14 languages, on iPhone, iPad and Android.
We look at more options in our guide to Peak brain training alternatives.
5. AARP Staying Sharp: For AARP Members
Best for: Members who want brain health tips as well as games
AARP Staying Sharp takes a lifestyle approach. It mixes short challenges about memory, focus and healthy habits with games. Anyone can download and preview the app, while full access comes with AARP membership. If you're already a member, it costs nothing extra.
AARP also offers a large collection of online games, many free to play in a browser, including mahjongg, solitaire and a daily crossword.
Who Each App Is Best For
There's no single "best" Lumosity alternative. It depends on the person.
- Choose Lumosity if you enjoy fast-paced variety and want the largest, most established library, on almost any device.
- Choose BrainHQ if research backing matters most to you, or your Medicare Advantage plan includes it.
- Choose Elevate if you love words, reading and mental math.
- Choose Peak if you like a modern, game-like style, short workouts and lots of language options.
- Choose AARP Staying Sharp if you're an AARP member and want lifestyle guidance alongside games.
- Choose SilverMind if you want big text, no ads, a calm pace and a short three-exercise routine on iPhone or iPad.
If you're not sure, install two apps and try each for a week. The one you open without being reminded is the right one.
Tips Before You Switch
- Set up the device first. Larger text and bold text make every app easier. Our guide on setting up an iPad or iPhone for an older parent shows how.
- Check the free part. Know what's free, what's paid and how to cancel before starting a trial.
- Keep sessions short. Five to fifteen minutes is plenty. A daily brain workout routine works better than long, occasional sessions.
- Mind your eyes. If small print is a struggle, see our list of games for seniors with low vision.
For a wider overview, our guide to the best brain training apps for seniors covers what to look for in any app.
What to Expect From Any Brain Training App
It helps to be realistic. The National Institute on Aging describes the research on cognitive training as promising but mixed. In the ACTIVE trial, older adults got better at the skills they trained, but there is much less evidence that app training improves everyday life or prevents dementia.
The best reason to use any of these apps is that you enjoy it. Pair it with walks, good sleep and time with people. And if you notice memory changes that worry you, talk to a doctor.
Research & References
- Lumosity: Brain Training Games - App Store listing (checked 2 October 2026)
- BrainHQ FAQ - Posit Science
- Elevate - The Mind Company
- Peak Brain Training - Peak
- AARP Staying Sharp - App Store listing
- Cognitive Health and Older Adults - National Institute on Aging
- The ACTIVE Cognitive Training Study - National Institute on Aging
