# Characterize - Randomize Names — user reviews > 123 indexed App Store user reviews of Characterize by Alexander Winn, rated 4.30/5 from 344 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/characterize-randomize-names/id706661890/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/characterize-randomize-names/id706661890.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 213 · 4★ 82 · 3★ 15 · 2★ 13 · 1★ 21 ## What do users think of Characterize? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Helpful for character creation - 🚀 Great for writers and RPG players - 💡 Lots of creative and random traits **Cons** - 💰 Expensive, many features require purchase - 🐛 Bugs with saving and restoring purchases - 🔍 Limited free options **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes on startup - Issues with custom generators and editing characters - Purchased content not unlocking properly **Most requested features** - More free generators - Ability to edit and customize generated characters - Sorting and organization options for saved characters ## Newest reviews (17 of 123) ### 4/5 — An issue that I hope can be addressed *2025-11-23, version 13.2* When I make a custom generator and try to change the results it says no options are available and it’s really frustrating. Another issue is the fact I can change the names Phil and Bob at all. I really like the app so I hope this can be fixed! ### 2/5 — Review *2025-09-23, version 12.6* The game doesn’t allow me to generate backstories,images,etc ### 4/5 — It’s a really great app *2025-04-23, version 12.1* I love it! A little expensive but that’s ok. One thing that I don’t like is the looooong answers for the backstory things but thats just me! ### 4/5 — Great app *2025-04-01, version 11.8* I used to use this app all the time when I was trying to think of names for characters. I haven’t written anything for a while but I’m finding that flow again and plan on using it again. ### 4/5 — Nice *2024-11-05, version 9.6* I’ve been using the app for a while and it’s super helpful and easy to use but now my custom generators aren’t working, none of the attributes are showing up at all except for the names But other than that this app is the best and I like how attentive the developer is to the feed back Thank you person I’m on an IPhone 11👍🏼 ### 2/5 — Eh *2024-06-05, version 9.3* It’s okay ### 3/5 — Pay again??? *2024-05-02, version 9.3* Great product (5 star potential) for sure but did anyone else experience losing all of their purchased generators and are being prompted to pay again? ### 4/5 — My favorite app *2024-01-27, version 9.3* I have always had trouble with creating character names but with this I can do it so easily but I wish the other bundles are free ### 3/5 — Buy button does nothing *2023-10-10, version 9.3* This app is just what I needed, except that will not let me purchase the Genres Bundle. ### 3/5 — Been using this app almost since it came out *2023-07-26* Many years ago I got this & it has been a great help for writing and character creation. I love it! My biggest issue, however, is that it would be amazing if the custom generators were more visually optimized, i.e. currently the font is very large, there is a lot of un-utilized empty space, main category labels are not editable, categories are forced to be in alphabetical order (which often is *not* the most logical order (e.g. eye color, enchantment, hair color), and there is no option to add a generator description. Making a good generator also often involves a wide variety of items under each category made (when applicable), but I end up scrolling for a long time to get the category I need to edit (in part because of the points I mentioned before). **Developer response:** I'll see what I can do in a future update. Thanks for the suggestions! ### 4/5 — Great app, needs some organization *2023-02-06* I’ve always struggled with character names and deciding on certain minor details, so this is a perfect app for me. I purchased “All Generators” without hesitation and was mildly disappointed that I have to search an entire alphabetical list (or use the search bar, if I know exactly what I want) to find a specific generator. I’ll still definitely be using this app (I just spent $20 on it) but I’d appreciate if a future update could group the generators back into the bundles that were displayed before I purchased them, as I don’t always know exactly what I want and would love to just open, for instance, the Fantasy Races Bundle to see what’s available. TLDR: put purchased generators back in their bundles to earn my fifth star **Developer response:** Good idea! I'll see what I can do in a future update. :) ### 4/5 — Restore purchase *2022-11-30, version 8.9* I’ve used this app for years now and it’s really good. But currently I have to restore my purchases and it isn’t letting me. Not trying to repurchase these again. Anyone know of a fix? ### 5/5 — Great app thanks for making it. Im buying the genres im into and it helps me vissualize differently *2022-11-23, version 8.8* Yes ### 3/5 — Love it but… *2022-08-31, version 8.8* I really do love this app, so much so I bought all the upgrades! It had been working fine until I made my own generator. I saved the generated character, but when I looked in the library, it was blank and wouldn’t open! After that none of the characters I make can be saved and it’s super frustrating☹️ It would be super great if someone could tell me how to fix this, it’s just a shame as this app was really helpful. ### 5/5 — 🚜🚜Love it!🚜🚜 *2022-06-09* Hey, developer! I have a different app called Notes Writer Pro. When the name generator in that app failed to generate for me, I had to go looking for a different way to generate names. I searched the App Store and came across your app! I knew that I just had to unlock everything, so I went ahead and purchased all the generators currently available! For the time I’ve been using it, I really like the fact that I can choose a generator and generate a random name from all the possibles. I’ve also discovered in my exploring of it that I can tap on any characteristic and it will also give me a different result in tapping a field individually. Your app is fine. Nothing so far is wrong. I’m actually reviewing this in hoping to pass on a suggestion to development: Implementing a Set First Name and Set Last Name field just underneath the explainer text for every generator. {If your toying with a likable first name, but don’t know a last name, this feature would be helpful to set the first name, and generate a last name. And vice versa.} I also have another suggestion for a generator. Every time I go to hit Suggest a Generator and hit Send Suggestion, it automatically migrates me to the default e-mail app. I use the Yahoo Mail app for my e-mail. Could you please respond to my suggestion and provide the e-mail address associated with Suggest Generator in Developer Response? I can manually enter the address in the To Field. **Developer response:** Hey, thanks for the kind words! You can email me your suggestion at awinn -at- alexanderwinn.com ### 5/5 — Amazing app, custom generator could be improved *2022-05-18* I LOVE this app whenever I need a quick character made for me. It is extremely useful and convenient. Then there’s the custom generator.. it is fine. I wish there was a bit more customization that came along for it which I wouldn’t be opposed to paying an extra buck or 2 for that, but it feels a bit lacking right now. Just being able to change the icon or change the color would be nice. Over all great app just wish the custom generator had some more work done on it. **Developer response:** Thanks for the kind review! I'll see about adding more customization in the future. :) ### 5/5 — Amazing app *2022-04-24, version 8.8* I love writing stories but find it hard to pick names and this app helps so much it doesn’t just give a name it also gives a birthday age personality and more it’s the best absolutely love it ❤️ ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Does not work *2025-09-01, version 12.6* I I hit the generate backstory buttons and get a 401 error code. None of the buttons work. CHatGTP does a much better job. ### 1/5 — For Custom generator *2024-10-31, version 9.6* Creating a generator won’t allow you to create other fields, and freezes at times. There is a bug. ### 1/5 — Don’t Pay for Anything *2024-06-20, version 9.3* I had all the generators at one point, and really liked them, but I got a new phone a while back. Only a few purchases restored, and it wants me to pay $20 to repurchase all of them. Feels like a scam… ### 1/5 — I want something you don’t have to pay for *2021-09-20, version 8.7* All the good ones you have to pay for and my parents said they would not do it so I deleted it :( ### 1/5 — Won’t restore purchases *2021-01-22, version 7.7* Bought this full package last year - worked well but changed phone but the app won’t restore purchases - nothing happens when pressed. Contacted support and received no reply. ### 1/5 — Horrible update! Don’t waste your time! *2020-11-21, version 7.7* This app was fine up until it forced me to update it. When I updated it everything IS SO SMALL! I can barely see the menu writing! Fix this issue!!! I would not recommend this app to anyone! ### 1/5 — Nul *2020-01-03* CES payent et Nul !!!!!!!! ### 1/5 — Paid but nothing is unlocked *2019-11-01, version 7.4* Read a review that was 3 years ago and I’m having the same issue they stated. Unlocked all of the generators and they were working for a bit but then out of nowhere it’s saying I need to purchase them again. The restore purchase tab doesn’t seem to do anything :/ really liked the app while it was working, not sure if this issue is a bug or what. ### 1/5 — Update Deleted Purchases *2019-10-23, version 7.1* The new update deleted my purchases and the Restore Purchases button does not work. I tried deleting the app and reinstalling it and the same problem exists. Others have mentioned this so clearly the developer is aware. I hope they fix this. ### 1/5 — Crashing *2019-03-29, version 6.1* I couldn’t even open the app, it kept crashing ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Characterize *2025-06-14, version 12.4* This is excellent ### 5/5 — True judgment no Biasedness *2025-04-01* I went into this app thinking it wasn't worth my time as a character creater and a old school rp pro I can say I am just as picky with my apps as I am with my food so on that note its not great but I like it yes it takes a minute to figure out how things work but I do think once you have spent time on it and used it to all of what you learn and yes even I at the time of writing this am still learning more about this app you will grow to enjoy the moxie this new path of patterns and see how I plays out different for everyone an yet the same I look forward to seeing what this young star does with this power of creation Yours truly -𝓡𝓪𝓿𝓮𝓷 **Developer response:** Thanks for the kind words! ### 5/5 — Go to app *2025-03-29, version 11.8* This my go to app for finding names for my stories. I really don’t know what I would do without it. ### 5/5 — Jesus *2024-12-31, version 10.1* Loves u ### 5/5 — Love it *2024-11-08* The app itself is amazing and in my opinion much better than other generators online! I’ve loved the generator apps made by this developer for awhile and am blown away by the amount of effort put into it! The one issue I have is that I’ve subscribed to a different generator made by this developer (the generator is called genesis, you should check it out!) but the subscription is only valid on the one app, other than that these are all amazing and high quality generators that outclass all other ones I’ve seen and I definitely recommend it! **Developer response:** Thanks for the kind words! ### 5/5 — Tiefling!! 🫶🏾 *2024-07-24, version 9.3* Can you guys add a tiefling gen? That would so cool(and lots of people love them). ### 5/5 — Names *2024-07-03, version 9.3* Distinction between male, female or neutral names on all of the generators would be helpful. ### 5/5 — Possible addition *2023-07-14, version 9.3* So I’m hoping I can request a Mayan and Aztec generator aside from that this app works for most of what I need ### 5/5 — Great! *2023-03-29, version 9.1* I’ve had this app for years now, and I really enjoy it! If you need quick characters, it’s very helpful to get ideas. ### 5/5 — Best game ever *2023-03-26, version 9.1* I LOVE EVERYTHING ON THIS APP But make everything free On all the generators make a settings for first and last name we can make! Add Dominican and the name Chinguun in some names in mix --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-01.*