Frequently asked questions

Every app is scored 1–10 on five harmful design patterns: attention capture, habit formation, social pressure, time theft, and cognitive erosion. Those five combine into a single 0–100 brain score — higher means cleaner. We also note one upside, cognitive nourishment, on the label, though it doesn't move the score. Same framework, every app, no exceptions.

Everyone uses apps differently. So we focus on what behaviors and outcomes products incentivize with their design.

While you can watch an educational long-form video on TikTok from your favorite creator, the app is fundamentally designed for short form, high stimulation that keeps you swiping.

We analyze what the core product loops and the app design (without you realizing it) and ground our findings in research and real human outcomes.

Ultimately, that's up to you. We base our scores on published research and our insights into the actual mechanics of how each product is designed. We're not here to tell you what to do, we're here to help you make more informed decisions about what you put in your brain.

No. We use the internet too. The point isn't that screens are evil. It's that some products are designed to support thinking and some are designed to replace it. We help you decide which is which.

A small number of free ratings are available to the public. Full reports support our work and research. We don't use ads and we'll never sponsor a product. The paywall is how we stay honest and fair.

We strive to update scores within a few days of when an app or product meaningfully changes. We consider new features, redesigns, or ownership changes.