Choose a learning or puzzle app
Oboe alternatives
Last verified: 2026-11-13
Choose by the activity you want: language lessons, guided maths, brain-training games, or a shared daily puzzle. The table compares eight alternatives using their store descriptions and US App Store ratings read on 13 Nov 2026.
| App | Developer (Apple) | App Store | Play in-app range | What it says it is | Evidence status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oboe | Oboe Labs Inc. | 4.81 (134) | Not shown | AI tutor plus an endless puzzle feed | Apple rating · 1 record; Play price unpublished |
| Duolingo | Duolingo, Inc. | 4.72 (5,584,845) | $0.99–$239.99 | 40+ languages in short lessons | Apple rating · 1 record; Play range · 1 record |
| Brilliant | Brilliant Worldwide, Inc. | 4.73 (33,464) | $21.00–$480.00 | Tutor for math and coding | Apple rating · 1 record; Play range · 1 record |
| Lumosity | Lumos Labs, Inc. | 4.68 (131,114) | $0.99–$239.99 | Brain games for memory, attention, problem solving | Apple rating · 1 record; Play range · 1 record |
| Elevate | Elevate Labs, LLC | 4.77 (547,003) | $0.99–$399.99 | Brain training for focus, memory, speaking, speed, math | Apple rating · 1 record; Play range · 1 record |
| Peak | Synaptic Labs Ltd | 4.66 (146,432) | $0.49–$74.99 | 45+ games in six categories | Apple rating · 1 record; Play range · 1 record |
| NYT Games | The New York Times Company | 4.80 (301,046) | $0.99–$299.99 | Wordle, Crossword, Spelling Bee, daily puzzles | Apple rating · 1 record; Play range · 1 record |
| Impulse | GMRD Apps Limited | 4.75 (852,660) | $4.99–$99.99 | Brain training and a learning toolkit | Apple rating · 1 record; Play range · 1 record |
| NeuroNation | Synaptikon GmbH | 4.69 (4,527) | $3.99–$400.00 | Exercises aimed at memory | Apple rating · 1 record; Play range · 1 record |
How to read the table
Duolingo’s rating count is about 5.58 million. Oboe’s is 134. I leave that gap visible. A 4.8 on a new listing is not the same kind of fact as a 4.7 on millions of ratings.
The Play column is the range Google shows as “in-app purchases,” declared per item. It is not Plus versus Pro. I do not convert a range into a monthly price. Elevate’s Android listing is linked below; it identifies the app as Elevate and gives [email protected] as its support address.
NYT Games is the closest “new puzzle every day” product. Oboe’s own pages describe a personalized feed, not one shared daily puzzle. Brilliant and Duolingo are closer to the tutor side of Oboe. Lumosity, Elevate, Peak, Impulse, and NeuroNation are closer to the puzzle-feed side.
Questions
Which alternative is closest to Oboe?
For language practice, compare Duolingo; for guided maths and coding, Brilliant; for a daily puzzle shared with others, NYT Games. The other five alternatives focus on collections of brain-training games.
Are the Play ranges subscription prices?
No. They are developer-declared per-item ranges. Plan prices are blank unless a listing states them.
Sources
- Oboe on the App Store — checked 2026-11-13
- Duolingo on the App Store — checked 2026-11-13
- Brilliant on the App Store — checked 2026-11-13
- NYT Games on the App Store — checked 2026-11-13
- Lumosity on the App Store — checked 2026-11-13
- Elevate on the App Store — checked 2026-11-13
- Peak on the App Store — checked 2026-11-13
- Impulse on the App Store — checked 2026-11-13
- NeuroNation on the App Store — checked 2026-11-13
- Duolingo on Google Play — checked 2026-11-13
- Brilliant on Google Play — checked 2026-11-13
- Lumosity on Google Play — checked 2026-11-13
- Elevate on Google Play — checked 2026-11-13
- Peak on Google Play — checked 2026-11-13
- NYT Games on Google Play — checked 2026-11-13
- Impulse on Google Play — checked 2026-11-13
- NeuroNation on Google Play — checked 2026-11-13