Black Friday · Nov 27, 2026A Black Friday night, 11:48 p.m.
A banner says 50% off a year of brain training. The timer under it says the deal ends at midnight. You played twice last month. Here is the question that saves most people money: how many sessions would this year actually buy? If the honest answer is forty, a half-price year can still cost more per session than the free tier you already have. That is what this page helps you work out before Friday, November 27.
Are brain training app Black Friday deals worth it?
A Black Friday brain-game deal is worth it only if the free tier cannot cover how you actually play and the discounted price works out cheap per session you will really use. For many casual players, a free tier is enough, and the best deal is the one you never need.
The table above lists each app's in-app purchase prices exactly as the US App Store shows them on November 3, 2026. The store lists items without always naming the billing period, so treat them as a range, not a quote. Seasonal offers, if any appear, will be shown on each app's own paywall.
Rule of thumb: try the free version for a week before you let a countdown banner decide.
Subscription vs free tier vs puzzle book
Annual subscription
Best if you play most days and want the paid extras. Costs the most if you drift away by February.
Free tier
Best if you play a few times a week. No renewal to remember, no countdown to beat.
Puzzle book
Best as a gift or for screen-free evenings. No adaptive levels, no progress tracking.
What Cognilo's free tier looks like
We make Cognilo, so judge these screens for yourself. All four show features in the free tier.
Deal check: cost per session you will really play
Assumes you keep that pace all year. Most people play less after the first month, so round down.
Who should buy something else
If you want a big library of games with a structured multi-week program, the larger paid apps above offer more of that than Cognilo does, and a deal could make sense. If you want a gift for someone who avoids screens, a puzzle book is kinder. Cognilo suits people who want one calm, untimed daily session, free, with honest ratings.
Honest limits
- Prices and listings change. We checked them on November 3, 2026; Black Friday offers are not public yet and are not shown here.
- Cognilo has a paid tier too: Pro at $9.99 a month or $44.99 a year, as listed. Continue Free closes the paywall without buying.
- Cognilo's ratings describe how you play Cognilo puzzles. They are not a measure of intelligence or health, and no brain game, ours included, has shown it protects memory. the National Institute on Aging (reviewed 2024) advises caution about such claims.
One design decision we stand by: Cognilo counts Rhythm, days per week, instead of an unbroken streak, so there is no streak to protect and no pressure to pay to keep one.
Black Friday brain-game questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26). Cyber Monday is November 30.
Do brain training apps have Black Friday sales?
Some subscription apps run seasonal offers, and Peak's App Store listing already shows two discounted items. Offers change and are set by each company, so check the price on the paywall itself before you confirm.
Is a yearly brain-game subscription worth it?
Only if you will actually play most weeks. Divide the price by the sessions you realistically expect; the calculator on this page does that for you. If the free tier already covers how you play, the answer is no.
Can I play brain games free without a trial?
Lumosity, NeuroNation and Peak are all free to download with in-app purchases, though their listings do not spell out exactly what the free version includes. Cognilo's free tier includes the Daily 5, all six skills, ratings, the Benchmark and achievements, with no trial needed.
Will paying for brain games protect my memory?
No app has shown that. the National Institute on Aging (reviewed 2024) says to beware of claims that computer and online games can improve memory and thinking. Pay for enjoyment and convenience, not for health promises.
How do I cancel a brain-game subscription on iPhone?
Subscriptions bought through the App Store are managed in Settings, under your name, then Subscriptions. Cancel at least 24 hours before renewal to avoid the next charge.
Try a week free before Friday
Five puzzles, about six minutes, no account. Start on your iPhone with the free download, then decide about any deal.
Updated November 2026
Related
- Brain training app without an account: Cognilo, Lumosity and a Mind Company app checkedWant brain games without signing up? We checked which apps need an account to play free (Nov 2026) and where your history lives.
- Cognilo: five daily brain training gamesFree brain training games for adults: five untimed puzzles a day, about six minutes, adapted to your level. No account, no ads, works offline.
- Brain game scores explained: 12 terms, from practice effect to LPIBrain game scores explained in plain English: practice effect, held-out rounds, LPI, transfer and 8 more terms, plus a 3-tap check on your latest jump.
- A free Lumosity alternative? Eight questions answered, checked November 2026Looking for a free Lumosity alternative? What Lumosity, Peak and Cognilo give free users, checked November 2026, and who should pick which.