NeuroStar vs BrainsWay Deep TMS

Independent side-by-side comparison with pricing, specs, and clinical evidence.

Last updated: 2026-04-10

Why This Comparison Matters

NeuroStar and BrainsWay Deep TMS sit in the same tms devices category but take different approaches. NeuroStar (Neuronetics) uses Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (focused figure-8 coil) while BrainsWay Deep TMS (BrainsWay) uses Deep TMS (H-Coil Technology) for deeper brain stimulation. Both received FDA clearance (2008 and 2013 respectively) and both are actively sold in the US market. The decision between them is rarely about which is objectively better. It's about which fits your specific practice.

Physicians end up comparing these two devices when they're shopping in the $80,000-$150,000 to $100,000-$200,000 price range and want a category leader. Both devices are commonly recommended by sales reps from competing manufacturers, which means physicians often hear inflated claims about one and dismissive claims about the other. This comparison strips out the marketing and looks at pricing, mechanism, evidence, and practice fit side by side.

Side-by-Side Specifications

NeuroStar BrainsWay Deep TMS
Manufacturer Neuronetics BrainsWay
Technology Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (focused figure-8 coil) Deep TMS (H-Coil Technology) for deeper brain stimulation
Price (New) $80,000-$150,000 $100,000-$200,000
Price (Used) $40,000-$80,000 $50,000-$120,000
Treatment Time 19-37 minutes per session 20 minutes per session
Sessions 36 sessions over 9 weeks (standard protocol) 20-30 sessions
Per Session $300-$500 (insurance reimbursable) $300-$500 (insurance reimbursable)
Annual Consumables $2,000-$5,000 (treatment caps) Minimal (helmet-based, no disposable coils)
Annual Maintenance $5,000-$10,000 $5,000-$10,000
FDA Cleared Yes (2008) Yes (2013)

Technology

NeuroStar

Technology: Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (focused figure-8 coil). First FDA-cleared TMS system. Largest clinical outcomes registry (over 5M treatments delivered). FDA-cleared for MDD, OCD, and anxious depression.

BrainsWay Deep TMS

Technology: Deep TMS (H-Coil Technology) for deeper brain stimulation. Deepest TMS stimulation available (6cm vs 2cm). FDA-cleared for depression, OCD, and smoking cessation. Helmet design means no manual positioning required.

Pricing

NeuroStar

New: $80,000-$150,000. Used: $40,000-$80,000. Per session: $300-$500 (insurance reimbursable). Annual consumables: $2,000-$5,000 (treatment caps). Annual maintenance: $5,000-$10,000.

BrainsWay Deep TMS

New: $100,000-$200,000. Used: $50,000-$120,000. Per session: $300-$500 (insurance reimbursable). Annual consumables: Minimal (helmet-based, no disposable coils). Annual maintenance: $5,000-$10,000.

Clinical Evidence

NeuroStar

Strongest in category. 100+ published studies. 5M+ treatment outcomes registry. Multiple FDA clearances backed by large RCTs.

BrainsWay Deep TMS

Strong. Multiple RCTs for depression and OCD. Unique evidence for smoking cessation indication.

Treatment Experience

NeuroStar

19-37 minutes per session per session. Recommended protocol: 36 sessions over 9 weeks (standard protocol). Treatment areas: Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Patients typically tolerate this platform well when operated by trained clinicians.

BrainsWay Deep TMS

20 minutes per session per session. Recommended protocol: 20-30 sessions. Treatment areas: Prefrontal cortex (deeper penetration than standard TMS). Patient experience varies by operator training and settings.

Practice Fit

NeuroStar

Psychiatrists starting a TMS practice who want the most established platform with the strongest insurance reimbursement track record. Practices that value the largest clinical dataset.

BrainsWay Deep TMS

Psychiatrists who want the deepest stimulation available and value the expanded indication set (OCD, smoking cessation). Practices serving treatment-resistant patients where standard TMS depth may be insufficient.

Pros and Cons

NeuroStar Pros

  • First-mover advantage: largest installed base in the US
  • 5M+ treatments delivered (largest outcomes registry)
  • Insurance reimbursement well-established for NeuroStar
  • FDA-cleared for MDD, OCD, and anxious depression

NeuroStar Cons

  • Standard TMS depth (~2cm) vs BrainsWay's deep TMS (~6cm)
  • 36-session standard protocol requires significant patient commitment
  • Per-treatment cap fees reduce margins at high volume

BrainsWay Deep TMS Pros

  • Deepest brain stimulation in TMS category (6cm with H-coil)
  • FDA-cleared for 3 indications (depression, OCD, smoking cessation)
  • Helmet design eliminates operator positioning variability
  • 20-minute sessions (shorter than NeuroStar standard)

BrainsWay Deep TMS Cons

  • Higher upfront cost than NeuroStar
  • Smaller installed base means less peer reference data
  • Helmet design can be uncomfortable for some patients

The Verdict

Choose NeuroStar if your practice prioritizes Neuronetics's ecosystem, brand recognition, or specific clinical advantages. Psychiatrists starting a TMS practice who want the most established platform with the strongest insurance reimbursement track record. Practices that value the largest clinical dataset. The pros that matter most: First-mover advantage: largest installed base in the US; 5M+ treatments delivered (largest outcomes registry). The biggest tradeoff to accept: Standard TMS depth (~2cm) vs BrainsWay's deep TMS (~6cm).

Choose BrainsWay Deep TMS if BrainsWay's positioning fits better. Psychiatrists who want the deepest stimulation available and value the expanded indication set (OCD, smoking cessation). Practices serving treatment-resistant patients where standard TMS depth may be insufficient. The pros that matter most: Deepest brain stimulation in TMS category (6cm with H-coil); FDA-cleared for 3 indications (depression, OCD, smoking cessation). The biggest tradeoff to accept: Higher upfront cost than NeuroStar.

For a practice with limited capital that needs maximum flexibility, used pricing tilts the math. NeuroStar used units run $40,000-$80,000; BrainsWay Deep TMS used units run $50,000-$120,000. For practices with strong patient flow already, the device that integrates with your existing platforms is usually the right answer even if its standalone specs are slightly weaker. For practices building a category from scratch, brand recognition and patient demand matter more than raw clinical specs. Look at which device patients are already asking for in your market before signing a contract.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more expensive, NeuroStar or BrainsWay Deep TMS?

NeuroStar runs $80,000-$150,000 new and $40,000-$80,000 used. BrainsWay Deep TMS runs $100,000-$200,000 new and $50,000-$120,000 used. Per-session pricing is $300-$500 (insurance reimbursable) for NeuroStar and $300-$500 (insurance reimbursable) for BrainsWay Deep TMS. Annual operating costs (consumables plus maintenance) typically run 5-15% of purchase price for both devices. The right financial comparison includes total cost of ownership over 5 years, not just sticker price.

Which has better clinical evidence, NeuroStar or BrainsWay Deep TMS?

NeuroStar clinical evidence: Strongest in category. 100+ published studies. 5M+ treatment outcomes registry. Multiple FDA clearances backed by large RCTs. BrainsWay Deep TMS clinical evidence: Strong. Multiple RCTs for depression and OCD. Unique evidence for smoking cessation indication. Evidence quality is not about study count alone. Look at sample sizes, blinded evaluators, independence from manufacturer funding, and outcome durability. Older devices in the same category usually have stronger evidence because they've been studied longer.

Is NeuroStar or BrainsWay Deep TMS more popular in psychiatry practices?

Both NeuroStar and BrainsWay Deep TMS are commonly used in psychiatry, neurology practices. Market share in any given category shifts year to year. Neuronetics and BrainsWay both maintain active sales forces in the US. Ask other physicians in your specialty which platform they're using and why. Peer references in your local market matter more than national market share data.

Are there safety concerns with NeuroStar or BrainsWay Deep TMS?

Both devices are FDA cleared and have established safety profiles. NeuroStar has these documented concerns: Standard TMS depth (~2cm) vs BrainsWay's deep TMS (~6cm). BrainsWay Deep TMS has: Higher upfront cost than NeuroStar. Physicians should monitor FDA MAUDE reports for both devices before purchase. Adverse event trends matter because they signal problems that may not appear in marketing materials. Any device with a sudden spike in MAUDE filings deserves closer scrutiny.

Can I use NeuroStar and BrainsWay Deep TMS in the same practice?

Some practices run both devices, especially when they target different patient segments or treatment areas. The downside is duplicated training, parallel consumable inventories, and potential cannibalization between platforms. The upside is broader marketing claims and the ability to switch patients between platforms if one doesn't deliver expected results. Most practices choose one and commit to mastering it rather than splitting volume.

What's the resale value comparison between NeuroStar and BrainsWay Deep TMS?

Used NeuroStar sells for $40,000-$80,000 on the secondary market. Used BrainsWay Deep TMS sells for $50,000-$120,000. Resale values depend on age, software version, applicator condition, and remaining warranty. Devices with strong installed bases hold value better. Devices with active safety signals or declining manufacturer financial health depreciate faster. Resale value should be a factor in any device purchase, especially if practice plans might change in 3-5 years.