Ampa One vs NeuroStar vs BrainsWay: Which TMS Is Right for You?
All three are FDA-cleared for depression that hasn't improved with medication. No head-to-head trial shows one device works better than another. The differences are coil design, how the coil is kept on target, session length, and what each is cleared for. The clinic and protocol matter as much as the brand. Individual results vary. No outcome is guaranteed. Coverage varies by plan. Ampa One is available by prescription after a clinical evaluation.
Key takeaways
- All three are FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder in adults.
- Ampa One: 2.2 lb handheld coil with built-in camera, minutes-long sessions, designed for accelerated schedules.
- NeuroStar: figure-8 coil on a mechanical arm, 19–37 minute sessions, also cleared for anxious depression and adolescents 15–21.
- BrainsWay: H-coil helmet, deeper stimulation, the only one of the three cleared for OCD (H7 coil) and smoking cessation.
- No head-to-head trial shows one device is more effective than another.
Quick answer
Ampa One, NeuroStar, and BrainsWay are all FDA-cleared TMS systems for depression that hasn't improved with medication. No head-to-head randomized trial has shown one to be more effective than another. The differences are coil design, how the coil is kept on target, session length, and what each is cleared for. The clinic and protocol matter as much as the brand.
Side by side
| Ampa One | NeuroStar | BrainsWay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maker | Ampa (2025) | Neuronetics (2008) | BrainsWay |
| Coil | Lightweight 2.2 lb figure-8-style coil with built-in camera | Figure-8 coil on a mechanical arm | H-coil in a helmet (deeper, broader stimulation) |
| Targeting | Pre-printed cap + camera neuronavigation + Target Lock auto-pause | Head measurements / positioning system | Helmet positioning |
| Session length | A few minutes | About 19–37 minutes | About 20 minutes |
| FDA-cleared for | MDD (adults) | MDD; anxious depression; adolescents 15–21 | MDD; OCD (H7 coil); smoking cessation |
| Accelerated / one-day schedules | Designed for them | Not routinely used | Not routinely used |
| Available at Neuro Wellness | Yes | No (we do not offer NeuroStar) | No (we do not offer BrainsWay) |
If you have OCD
BrainsWay is the device FDA-cleared for OCD, using its H7 coil. Ampa One is not cleared for OCD — it is cleared for major depressive disorder only. NeuroStar is not cleared for OCD either. If OCD is your primary concern, BrainsWay is the cleared option. Being honest about this builds trust: a device cleared for your diagnosis is a better choice than a newer device used off-label.
If schedule is your biggest barrier
Ampa One's short, minutes-long sessions and design for accelerated and one-day schedules make it the strongest fit when time is the obstacle. NeuroStar and BrainsWay are conventional once-daily systems over 4–6 weeks. See One-Day TMS in Florida and SAINT® vs Ampa One.
Where SAINT® fits
SAINT® is a different kind of accelerated TMS: it uses an fMRI brain scan to personalize your target and runs over 5 days, with randomized-trial data behind it. We are the only Florida clinic offering both SAINT® and Ampa One. See SAINT® vs Ampa One.
Understanding SAINT® TMS: How It Works & What to Expect
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. These videos explain how it works and how it differs from conventional TMS.
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided form of TMS developed at Stanford. Most patients complete treatment in one week — not the six weeks standard TMS requires.
Follow a real patient through the five-day SAINT® treatment week
Is SAINT® TMS Right for You?
Tried antidepressants without enough relief? SAINT® TMS is an FDA-cleared, fMRI-guided treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved enough with antidepressant medication.
SAINT® uses a personalized brain target and delivers treatment over five consecutive days. It differs from standard TMS in its targeting approach, treatment schedule, and research background. In a small randomized trial, 11 of 14 people receiving active treatment reached remission at the four-week assessment, compared with 2 of 15 receiving sham treatment. Results vary, and a five-day treatment course does not guarantee remission in five days.
How SAINT® Works and How It Differs From Conventional TMS
SAINT® is an FDA-cleared treatment for adults with major depressive disorder who have not improved on antidepressants in the current episode. This video explains how it works, and how it differs from conventional TMS.
Conventional TMS usually means about 30 visits over 6 to 9 weeks. SAINT is five visits over five days.
What makes it different: SAINT® uses an fMRI brain scan to personalize the stimulation target to your individual brain. A 45-minute scan maps your brain and identifies the specific circuit linked to depression. Treatment is then delivered as ten 10-minute sessions per day, with 50-minute breaks between them, across five consecutive days.
In clinical trials, 79% of participants reached remission, with an average of 2.6 days to remission. SAINT is generally well tolerated; the most common side effects reported were mild headache and temporary scalp discomfort at the treatment site.
SAINT® at Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America
Coral Springs, Florida
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Call or Text: 954-827-9793
Sources: Cole et al., American Journal of Psychiatry 2020;177:716-726 and 2022;179(2):132-141. magnusmedical.com/depression-therapy. PubMed 34711062. FDA 510(k) K220177.
Insurance coverage for SAINT is currently limited and varies by plan. Individual results may vary. This video is educational and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified clinician about whether SAINT is appropriate for you. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ampa One vs NeuroStar: which is better?
No head-to-head randomized trial has shown one to be more effective than the other for depression. Both are FDA-cleared for major depressive disorder in adults who have not improved on antidepressants. The differences are coil design (Ampa One's lightweight 2.2 lb handheld coil with a built-in camera vs NeuroStar's figure-8 coil on a mechanical arm), how the coil is kept on target (camera neuronavigation vs head measurements), session length (minutes vs 19–37 minutes), and whether accelerated schedules are used. The clinic and protocol matter as much as the brand.
Ampa vs BrainsWay for OCD?
BrainsWay is the device FDA-cleared for OCD (with its H7 coil). Ampa One is not cleared for OCD — it is cleared for major depressive disorder only. If OCD is your primary concern, BrainsWay is the cleared option. Be honest with yourself about this: a device cleared for your diagnosis is a better choice than a newer device used off-label.
Ampa vs MagVenture?
MagVenture makes a figure-8 TMS system FDA-cleared for depression, used in conventional once-daily courses. Like NeuroStar, it is a standard TMS device on a mechanical arm with longer sessions. Ampa One differs with its lightweight handheld coil, built-in camera neuronavigation, and design for accelerated and one-day schedules. No head-to-head trial compares them.
Is Ampa One as effective as conventional TMS?
No large randomized trial has compared Ampa One head-to-head with conventional TMS systems. All are FDA-cleared for depression based on demonstrating efficacy versus sham in their own trials. Ampa One's advantages are its short sessions, camera-guided targeting, and accelerated schedules; conventional systems have decades of use and broad insurance coverage. What matters most is that the device is cleared for your diagnosis and a psychiatrist supervises your care.
Which TMS has the fewest side effects?
Across FDA-cleared TMS systems, the side-effect profile is similar: mild scalp discomfort and headache that usually fade, with a small risk of seizure. No device has been shown in head-to-head trials to have meaningfully fewer side effects. Shorter sessions (like Ampa One's minutes-long sessions) may be more comfortable simply because there is less time on the coil.
Cited Research
Important Safety Information
Individual results vary. No outcome is guaranteed. Coverage varies by plan. Ampa One is available by prescription after a clinical evaluation. Common side effects include mild scalp discomfort and headache that usually fade. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
SAINT® is delivered only by verified providers on the Magnus Medical system. Programs described as SAINT “alternatives”, “equivalents” or “fMRI-guided accelerated TMS” are not SAINT®, are not affiliated with us, and SAINT® results do not apply to them. Read our SAINT® disclaimer.
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Ampa and Ampa One are trademarks of Ampa Inc. Neuro Wellness TMS Centers of America is an independent provider and is not owned by Ampa.
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