In this constantly evolving world, staying sharp and enhancing problem-solving skills is more crucial than ever. Fortunately, technology has us covered with many apps designed to challenge our brains, improve cognitive functions, and provide fun along the way.
Here’s a breakdown of the best problem-solving apps for adults in 2024, categorized into cognitive training, coding and programming, puzzle and strategy games, and miscellaneous problem-solving tools.
What are the Best Problem-Solving Apps for Adults?
Cognitive Training Apps
Lumosity
Lumosity is a cognitive training app designed to enhance various aspects of your brain function through interactive games and challenges. It targets areas such as memory, attention, flexibility, speed, and problem-solving skills.
The app uses your game performance to personalize daily workouts, aiming to improve cognitive skills over time. With a scientific approach to brain training, Lumosity stands out as a leader in this space, offering a user-friendly experience backed by research.
Features:
- Adjusts to your performance to tailor daily brain workouts
- Offers over 40 games designed to train five core cognitive areas
- Tracks progress with detailed insights and compares your scores to others
- Designed with the help of neuroscientists to ensure practical mental training
- Available on iOS, Android, and web, making it easy to train anywhere, anytime
- Offers plans that support multiple family members under one subscription
- Allows users to test out the full range of features for a 14-day free trial
Pricing:
Lumosity offers two main subscription plans to access its full cognitive training features. The monthly subscription costs $11.99, providing users with a flexible, short-term option. For those seeking a longer commitment with a better deal, the annual subscription is $59.99 and $4.99 monthly. This pricing strategy makes Lumosity accessible to users with different needs and preferences, allowing for personalized brain training experiences.
Bottomline:
Lumosity is best suited for individuals looking to improve their cognitive functions through scientifically designed games methodically. It’s ideal for those who appreciate data-driven insights into their brain performance and enjoy challenging themselves regularly.
BrainHQ
BrainHQ is a sophisticated brain training platform developed by neuroscientists to enhance cognitive functions such as attention, memory, speed, people skills, and problem-solving abilities.
The app customizes exercises to match your performance, ensuring a personalized and effective cognitive workout. With a focus on real-world applications, BrainHQ is designed to improve everyday skills, supported by scientific research that attests to its efficacy in boosting cognitive functions.
Features:
- Targets attention, memory, speed, people skills, navigation, and intelligence
- Focuses on improving everyday skills, like driving safety and memory recall
- Offers a free daily exercise to keep your brain engaged
- Supported by peer-reviewed research indicating effectiveness in improving cognitive function
- Allows users to monitor their cognitive improvement over time with detailed insights
- Exercises adapt to your performance, offering personalized cognitive development
- Created by neuroscientists, including Dr Michael Merzenich, for scientifically grounded mental training
Pricing:
BrainHQ offers two subscription plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee for new subscribers. The Monthly Subscription is $14 per month, providing full access to all training exercises and features.
For more significant savings, the Yearly Subscription is priced at $8 per month, billed annually at $96. Additionally, family members can be added to the annual plan for $59 each, making cognitive training accessible for the whole family at a reduced cost.
Bottomline:
BrainHQ best suits individuals seeking a research-based method to sharpen their cognitive skills. With its flexible subscription options, it caters to those committed to long-term brain health, offering exercises that promise real-world benefits.
NeuroNation
NeuroNation is a cognitive training app designed to improve your brain’s memory, concentration, and intelligence performance. It’s like a gym for your brain, minus the sweaty equipment. The app tailors a personalized training plan based on your performance, challenging you with 27 exercises across 250 levels. Imagine leveling up in a game, but instead of conquering digital foes, you’re boosting your brainpower.
Features:
- Get a custom plan that targets your cognitive strengths and growth potential.
- Enjoy 27 exercises across 250 levels to keep your brain engaged and improving.
- Train with friends, compare scores, and push each other to improve.
- New exercises and courses are added regularly to keep the challenge fresh.
- It has quick help and comprehensive support for any questions or issues you might encounter.
- Exercises are neatly categorized, removing the guesswork and allowing you to focus on training.
Pricing:
Pricing for NeuroNation isn’t explicitly detailed in the sources, but it operates on a freemium model. You can access some content for free, while other features require a subscription. It’s designed with security in mind, asking for minimal permissions, and yes, it does have a dark mode for those late-night training sessions.
Bottomline:
NeuroNation is perfect for anyone looking to sharpen their cognitive functions in a structured, engaging way. Whether you’re struggling with focus at work, aiming to enhance your memory, or just want to give your brain a good workout, NeuroNation offers a comprehensive toolset to help you reach your goals. It’s particularly suited for those who appreciate a mix of challenge and fun in their learning journey.
CogniFit Brain Fitness
CogniFit Brain Fitness turns your brain from a couch potato into a marathon runner—metaphorically speaking. This app doesn’t just entertain; it sharpens your mind with a scientific approach to brain training—personalized workouts based on neuropsychology promise to improve cognitive skills through fun yet challenging games. Designed for individuals seeking mental enhancement, healthcare professionals, and researchers, it offers a broad spectrum of games and features tailored to various cognitive needs.
Features:
- Adapts to your cognitive skills level, targeting areas for improvement
- Developed with input from neuroscientists, ensuring exercises are effective
- Over 60+ games are designed to train different cognitive areas
- Offers detailed cognitive assessments to track progress
- Available for individuals, healthcare professionals, and researchers with specific features for each group
- Accessible from your training on computers, tablets, and smartphones
- Premium options include custom training, team management, and E-consent documents for studies.
- Premium subscriptions offer a 10% discount on future assessments and training licenses
Prices:
For the solo brain trainer, pricing options start at $19.99/month for 20 games, scaling to $29.99/month for access to 60+ games. Yearly plans offer savings, with $119.99 and $169.99 options. Need a cognitive check-up? Assessments are priced at $49.99 each. For professionals, the Pro Premium subscriptions start at $299.00/month, offering customization, team management, and discounts on future services, with an annual option of $2,999.00.
Bottom line:
If you’re in the market for one of the best problem-solving apps for adults, look no further. CogniFit Brain Fitness is ideal for those seeking a serious mental upgrade, whether you’re an individual looking to outwit your brain’s aging process, a researcher diving deep into cognitive science, or a clinician providing top-tier brain care.
Peak – Brain Games & Training
Peak is a comprehensive brain training application designed to enhance cognitive skills through various games and exercises. Tailored to improve memory, attention, problem-solving, and mental agility, it offers users a personalized training program that adapts to their performance and progress. With over 45 brain games developed by neuroscientists, Peak aims to provide users with a fun yet challenging experience, promoting brain health and performance.
Features:
- New games and challenges are added regularly to keep the training experience fresh.
- It’s available in several languages, making it accessible to a broader audience.
- It keeps you motivated by setting daily goals and sending reminders to train.
- Games are accessible offline, allowing for brain training anytime, anywhere.
- The intuitive interface and engaging gameplay make brain training an enjoyable daily habit.
- It has in-depth tracking and analytics to monitor your progress and identify areas of improvement.
- It offers over 45 brain games to enhance different cognitive skills.
Pricing:
Peak offers free basic features with optional in-app purchases for advanced content. The Peak Pro Plan subscriptions vary from a monthly fee of $4.99 to an annual fee of $34.99. Discounts include 40% off the monthly plan at $2.99 and the yearly plan at $19.99.
Additional options like the Advanced Training programs are available at no extra cost with the subscription. It has simple, straightforward pricing with multiple user preferences and budget options.
Bottomline:
Peak is ideal for individuals seeking a scientifically-backed, engaging way to improve their cognitive skills. Whether you are looking to sharpen your brain for professional reasons, academic excellence, or personal improvement, Peak offers a flexible and comprehensive platform that fits into any lifestyle.
Braingle: Brain Teasers & Riddles
Braingle is a vast repository of brain teasers, puzzles, riddles, trivia, and mental exercises. It sharpens your cognitive abilities, improves memory, and enhances problem-solving skills through fun and interactive challenges. With a community-driven approach, users can contribute, rate, and comment on content, fostering a dynamic and engaging environment. Braingle encourages continuous mental fitness with its diverse range of activities tailored to suit all age groups and skill levels, making brain training accessible and enjoyable.
Features:
- Extensive collection of over 15,000 brain teasers, riddles, and puzzles
- Users can contribute and vet the content, ensuring a fresh and diverse challenge
- You can tailor difficulty levels and topics to your personal preference
- Features like quizzes, trivia, and memory tests can track and improve cognitive performance
- You can engage with a community of like-minded individuals through forums and discussions
- Everyone has the opportunity to submit their puzzles and riddles
- Users get constant additions of new challenges to keep the content fresh
- You can access thousands of puzzles and brain teasers at no cost
Pricing:
Braingle is a free-to-use platform offering its extensive collection of brain teasers, riddles, and puzzles without any charge. Users can enjoy the full range of features, including access to community forums and the ability to rate, comment, and contribute content, all for free.
Bottomline:
Braingle is perfect for individuals of all ages looking for a cost-effective way to challenge their minds, enhance cognitive skills, and join a community of puzzle enthusiasts. Whether you’re a casual brain teaser fan or a serial puzzle solver, Braingle offers an enriching and stimulating experience without financial commitment.
StarStarter Rx
StarStarter Rx, a digital therapeutic solution from Arcade Therapeutics, is designed to offer personalized mental health support. This platform uses advanced algorithms to adapt therapies to individual needs, focusing on conditions like anxiety and depression. StarStarter Rx integrates cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques with user data to continuously refine and optimize treatment plans, promoting mental well-being through engaging, interactive content.
Features:
- Exercises provided in this app are scientifically designed to target and improve cognitive functions.
- It’s engaging content integrated with cognitive training using a different game format.
- It offers a user-friendly platform accessible from various devices.
- The app tailors cognitive exercises to the user’s needs and progress.
- It provides instant feedback to encourage improvement and engagement.
- You can track progress with detailed analytics for users and healthcare providers.
- It aims to improve not just cognitive function but overall mental wellness.
Pricing:
Pricing information is not directly provided on their website. Typically, digital therapeutics platforms like StarStarter Rx offer subscription-based models, but contacting the Arcade Therapeutics website would be necessary for specific pricing.
Bottomline:
StarStarter Rx is best suited for individuals seeking an innovative and engaging approach to cognitive enhancement and mental health support. It’s especially beneficial for those who prefer interactive and gamified experiences over traditional therapeutic exercises.
Happify
Happify turns the daunting task of achieving happiness into a fun-filled adventure. Imagine a personal trainer, but for your emotions and with less sweating. This digital platform offers activities and games designed to improve your mental well-being based on the science of positive psychology, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy. It’s like having a pocket-sized cheerleader who’s also a psychologist.
Features:
- Users can engage in tasks that boost happiness levels.
- Whether battling stress or seeking joy, there’s a personalized path with your name.
- Get feedback and rewards that make self-improvement addictive.
- Join a global network of like-minded individuals chasing the same goal: happiness.
- Available anytime, anywhere, making it the perfect sidekick for your mental health journey.
- Visual charts and feedback will motivate you and show how far you’ve come.
- It has simplified practices for meditation for those who can’t sit still.
- Learn why and how activities benefit you without drowning in jargon.
Pricing:
Happify offers a basic version for free, perfect for those looking to explore the world of mental wellness without commitment. For the whole experience, Happify Plus is available at $14.99/month, $139.99/year, or a lifetime membership for $449.99. There are no hidden fees or complex structures, just straightforward options to suit your happiness journey.
Bottomline:
Happify is best suited for anyone looking to improve their mental health in a fun, engaging way. It’s perfect for those who believe in the power of science but also enjoy earning points and rewards while working on their personal growth.
Coding and Programming Apps
Code Academy Go
Code Academy offers a comprehensive platform for learners at all levels to master coding skills across various programming languages and tech disciplines. The platform is designed to make learning coding accessible, with interactive lessons and real-time feedback. It covers multiple topics, from web development to data science, providing users with the tools to build, experiment, and grow their coding proficiency.
Features:
- Users can use hands-on projects and quizzes to reinforce learning.
- It offers courses in Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, and more.
- You can customize courses to meet your career or personal development goals.
- The app gives immediate feedback on code submissions to accelerate learning.
- You have access to a supportive community of learners and experts.
- It’s a learn-on-the-go with the Codecademy Go mobile app.
- All the courses are updated regularly to keep up with the latest technology trends.
Pricing:
Codecademy offers a free plan with introductory courses. The Pro plan, providing access to premium content, projects, and personalized learning plans, starts at $39.99/month. Annual subscriptions are available at a discounted rate of $239.88/year, effectively $19.99/month.
Bottomline:
Codecademy is ideal for individuals looking to start or advance their coding skills. It offers structured learning paths and real-world projects for those serious about a tech career or enhancing their technical proficiency.
Mimo
Mimo is an educational app designed to teach programming and computer science skills through quick, hands-on lessons. It caters to beginners and those looking to advance their coding knowledge, offering courses in various programming languages, web development, and data science. The platform utilizes interactive exercises and projects to enhance learning, making it suitable for people with busy schedules or those wanting to learn at their own pace.
Features:
- It has personalized learning paths based on your goals and progress.
- Users can learn languages like Python, JavaScript, HTML, cybersecurity, and data analysis.
- Get to complete real-world projects to build your portfolio
- It keeps you motivated with rewards and progress-tracking
- Learn coding anytime, anywhere, with a user-friendly mobile app
- Connect with other learners for support and collaboration
- The courses in the app are regularly updated to reflect the latest industry standards
Pricing:
Mimo offers a free tier with limited access to courses. The premium subscription, which unlocks all content and features, is priced at $19.99/month or $99.99/year. There’s also a lifetime access option available for $399.99.
Bottomline:
Mimo is best suited for individuals looking to dive into coding and computer science without experience. Its bite-sized lessons and flexible learning environment make it ideal for those with tight schedules aiming to build or enhance their tech skills progressively.
Sololearn: Learn to Code
In a digital world where coding is as essential as oxygen for tech enthusiasts, SoloLearn emerges as the breath of fresh air for beginners and seasoned programmers alike. This app doesn’t just teach coding; it makes you want to code.
With a sleek interface that’s as intuitive as swiping right on your favorite dating app, SoloLearn offers a plethora of programming languages from Python to JavaScript without the dread of traditional learning. It’s like having a mini coding boot camp in your pocket, minus the boot camp vibes.
Features:
- Enrolled users can engage with millions of fellow learners, especially when debugging.
- You’ll have access to bite-sized lessons, perfect for the modern attention span.
- Dive into coding without opening your wallet. Ideal for students and budget-conscious learners.
- The active community forum is your 24/7 study group
- Experiment with code directly in the app, an ideal sandbox for beginners.
- The app tailors your learning journey, adapting to your progress and interests.
- Stay relevant with course content that keeps pace with the fast-evolving tech landscape.
Pricing:
SoloLearn offers its core content for free, making it accessible to anyone with a smartphone and an itch to learn coding.
SoloLearn Pro offers an ad-free experience, a personalized learning plan, and additional content and courses for $12.99/month or $69.99/year for those looking to level up their coding skills.
Puzzle and Strategy Games
Mnemonist
Mnemonist is a puzzle-based application designed to enhance memory and cognitive skills through challenging games. Tailored for adults seeking to improve their mental agility, it integrates neuroscience principles to create engaging puzzles that stimulate various aspects of brain function. The app’s user interface is intuitive, allowing for a smooth navigation experience, and it offers personalized progress tracking to motivate users by visualizing their improvement over time.
Features:
- This app improves memory, attention, and problem-solving skills through targeted puzzles.
- It’s designed with input from neuroscientists to ensure effectiveness
- Easy navigation and sleek design for an enjoyable user experience
- It produces personalized reports show users their cognitive improvement, encouraging continued use
- New puzzles and challenges are added frequently to keep the training fresh and engaging
- You can compete with friends or users worldwide to add a social dimension to brain training
- It allows users to adjust the challenge based on their skill level
- It enables users to engage with puzzles without an internet connection
Pricing:
Mnemonist offers a free version with limited access to puzzles and features. The premium subscription, unlocking all content and features, is priced at $4.99 monthly or $39.99 annually. A 7-day free trial allows new users to explore the full suite of puzzles and features before committing.
Bottomline:
Mnemonist stands out among the best problem-solving apps for adults looking to sharpen their cognitive abilities in a fun, interactive way. It’s particularly suited for individuals committed to personal growth and mental fitness, offering an intelligent blend of challenge and entertainment.
Words With Friends
Words With Friends is a digital word puzzle game that transcends the traditional boundaries of Scrabble by allowing players to engage in wordplay with friends or random opponents online. It stands out for its social interaction features, including chat and competitive leaderboards, making it more than just a game—it’s a community. The app is accessible across various platforms, ensuring a seamless gaming experience.
Features:
- It’s social gameplay, allowing users to connect with friends or find new opponents online, fostering competition and camaraderie.
- Play on any device, allowing for game continuity anywhere, anytime.
- It enhances vocabulary and spelling skills through fun, engaging gameplay.
- It offers real-time notifications informing you about your turn or game updates.
- You can personalize tiles and in-game look for a unique playing experience.
- The app motivates players with competitive rankings and milestones.
- Start multiple games simultaneously, managing them at your own pace.
Pricing:
Words With Friends is free to download and play, with optional in-app purchases. These purchases range from $0.99 to $99.99, offering power-ups, coin packs, and customizable items. No subscription is required, making it accessible for casual gamers.
Bottomline:
Words With Friends is ideal for individuals seeking entertainment and intellectual challenge. It suits anyone looking to improve their vocabulary in a social, competitive setting.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley, available on the Google Play Store and Apple Store, offers an immersive puzzle experience that blends stunning architecture with mind-bending geometry. This game invites players to manipulate impossible constructs and guide a silent princess through a stunningly beautiful world. Its gameplay combines exploration and puzzle-solving, designed to challenge the player’s perception and problem-solving skills.
Features:
- Engaging puzzles challenge spatial reasoning and perception, offering innovative gameplay that’s both fun and mentally stimulating.
- The game features stunning visuals and beautifully crafted levels combining optical illusions and M.C. Escher-like architecture.
- Intuitive gameplay with simple, straightforward controls makes the game accessible and enjoyable for all skill levels.
- An emotional journey is woven through the silent narrative, adding depth and enhancing the overall experience beyond mere puzzle-solving.
- The meticulously designed soundtrack and sound effects complement the visual experience and gameplay, enriching the game’s immersive quality.
- Ideal for busy adults, the game offers a compact playtime that can be completed in a few hours, perfect for fitting into a tight schedule.
Pricing:
Monument Valley is available for a one-time purchase of $3.99. It provides full access to the game with no additional in-game purchases or ads, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted experience.
Bottomline:
Monument Valley is among the best problem-solving games for adults, ideally suited for those who appreciate art, architecture, and puzzles. Its stunning visuals, innovative puzzles, and emotional storytelling create a unique and enriching experience for players seeking a thoughtful and engaging challenge.
The Room by Fireproof Games
The Room is a puzzle adventure game developed by Fireproof Games, offering a mix of mystery and brain teasers encapsulated in a beautifully 3D-rendered room filled with intricate mechanisms. Players are tasked with unlocking an enigmatic safe through layers of complex puzzles that require keen observation and problem-solving skills. The game stands out for its stunning visuals, tactile gameplay, and immersive storyline that keeps players engaged from start to finish.
Features:
- Each level introduces unique and challenging puzzles that blend seamlessly with the story.
- The game offers an immersive experience with exceptional 3D graphics and a haunting soundtrack.
- They were designed with intuitive touch controls for touchscreen devices, offering a tactile and interactive gaming experience.
- It features a compelling storyline that unfolds through cryptic letters and mysterious artifacts, encouraging players to delve deeper into the puzzles.
- Regular updates add new chapters and puzzles, keeping the game fresh and engaging for long-term play.
Pricing:
The Room is available for $0.99 on the App Store and Google Play. This one-time payment grants full access to the game without any additional in-app purchases or ads, offering a complete and uninterrupted gaming experience.
Bottomline:
The Room is ideal for puzzle enthusiasts and those who appreciate a mix of mystery and strategy in their games. Its compelling puzzles, stunning visuals, and engaging storyline make it a must-have for anyone looking for a challenging and immersive puzzle experience.
Miscellaneous Problem-Solving Apps
Grind Stone
Grind Stone is a task management and problem-solving app designed to enhance productivity for individuals and professionals. It leverages a unique combination of game-like task completion strategies with serious productivity tools, encouraging users to grind through their tasks with more engagement and efficiency.
It’s adept at breaking down complex tasks into manageable pieces, tracking progress, and maintaining focus through its intuitive interface and rewarding system.
Features:
- Grindstone turns mundane tasks into engaging challenges through its gamified task management system.
- The app enhances focus with features like the focus timer, helping users stay on track with their tasks.
- Users can customize their task organization, allowing for personalized categorization and prioritization.
- Visual indicators and statistics are provided for progress tracking, offering a clear view of productivity improvements.
- Cross-platform synchronization ensures your task list is continually updated across all devices.
- The intuitive user interface makes it easy for new users to navigate the app, reducing the learning curve.
- A unique reward system is in place for completing tasks, adding an extra layer of motivation.
- Detailed analytics offer insights into work patterns and potential areas for improvement.
- Flexible scheduling accommodates shifting priorities and deadlines, making it easier to manage time.
- Cloud backup is available to ensure data safety and accessibility from any device.
Pricing:
Grindstone offers a free version with basic functionality. The premium version, with enhanced features and unlimited access, is available through a subscription model. The premium version starts at $4.99 per month, with an annual subscription option at $49.99, offering a cost-effective solution for long-term users.
Bottomline:
Grindstone is best suited for individuals seeking a more engaging and rewarding way to manage tasks and improve productivity. It’s particularly beneficial for professionals and students who thrive on gamification and are looking for an innovative approach to task management.
Elevate
Elevate is a brain-training app designed to hone adult users’ cognitive skills, including focus, processing speed, memory, math skills, and more. It provides a personalized training program that adjusts over time based on performance. The app features over 40 games aimed at improving various aspects of mental fitness, offering daily workouts to challenge users and track their progress over time.
Features:
- It tailors challenges to your specific skills, ensuring you’re always engaged and improving through personalized workouts.
- The app targets five critical brain areas: focus, memory, processing, math, and precision, offering a wide range of skills development.
- Adaptive difficulty ensures levels adjust based on performance, keeping tasks challenging but achievable.
- Offers detailed insights and tracking to visualize your progress over time, ensuring effective performance tracking.
- Provides practical skills and knowledge through educational content, not just abstract exercises, making learning applicable to daily life.
- An intuitive interface makes navigation and understanding tasks straightforward, highlighting the app’s user-friendly design.
- It was developed with education experts for practical cognitive training, showcasing the app’s scientifically backed approach.
- Continuously adds new games and challenges to keep training fresh, demonstrating the app’s commitment to regular updates.
- It allows for practice without an internet connection with its offline mode, ensuring you can train anywhere.
Pricing:
Elevate offers a free version with limited access to games and features. The premium subscription, unlocking all content and features, is priced at $11.99/month or $44.99/year. There’s also a lifetime option available for $149.99, offering unlimited access to all current and future content and features.
Bottomline:
Elevate is ideal for adults seeking a structured, effective way to improve their cognitive functions. It suits those who value personal growth and seek a scientifically-backed, engaging method to sharpen their minds.
Wrapping Up: Can Game Apps Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills?
Our journey through the top 17 problem-solving apps for adults in 2024 reveals a clear verdict: game apps can significantly enhance your problem-solving skills. These apps are tools designed to sharpen the mind, improve memory, increase focus, and boost analytical thinking.
Users can experience tangible improvements in problem-solving abilities by engaging with these apps regularly. As your skills grow, these apps adapt, offering increasingly complex problems to ensure continuous development. Whether you want to enhance your professional skills, keep your mind sharp, or simply enjoy the challenge, an app on this list can meet your needs.