# Phoetic — user reviews > 117 indexed App Store user reviews of Phoetic by Jack Goossen, rated 4.10/5 from 13 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phoetic/id546829744/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/phoetic/id546829744.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 7 · 4★ 2 · 3★ 3 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 1 ## What do users think of Phoetic? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 🎨 Highly customizable fonts, colors, and layouts - 📤 High-quality vector PDF export with editable words - 🖼️ Ability to upload and use personal photos as shapes - ✨ Professional-quality results for word cloud creation - 💰 Affordable pricing compared to competitors - 🎯 Versatile shape options and customization controls - 📊 Frequency-based word sizing works well - 🔧 Advanced features for power users - 🎁 Transparent background option for PNG exports - 👥 Responsive customer support from developer **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes across multiple iOS versions - 😕 Steep learning curve and confusing interface - ❌ Difficulty adding custom words/text - 🔄 Word placement is random and uncontrollable - 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions - 🎨 Limited shape options beyond squares - ⚠️ Major update broke existing functionality - 🖼️ Photo import feature crashes frequently - 🔤 Cannot specify dominant word sizing - 📋 Copy-paste feature doesn't work effectively **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes on iPhone 6 and newer models - Crashes when using photo import feature - Incompatibility with iOS 9.2 and later versions - Word list input not saving or applying - Unable to generate word cloud error messages - Font selection not working after update - Copy-paste functionality broken - App freezes when resizing photos - Data loss after major update - Crashes when entering custom words manually - Shape selection not applying correctly (defaults to square) - Interface unresponsive in advanced settings - Recent update caused widespread functionality issues **Most requested features** - Ability to specify which words appear larger or dominant - Control over word placement location - macOS/OS X desktop version - Ability to keep word groups separated by comma in same color - Save layout separately from colors for reuse - Spell check and automatic capitalization - In-app tutorials and instructions - Ability to repeat or exclude specific words - Layering main words over word cloud as title - Image overlay through word cloud (background images visible) - Smaller minimum font sizes for more detail - RGB/HEX color code input option - Better photo import with grayscale threshold control - Ability to edit saved word lists - Randomize or shuffle results without changing layout - iCloud integration for saving PDFs ## Newest reviews (11 of 117) ### 4/5 — Pretty awesome, just one small issue *2019-02-16, version 3.1.16* This app is pretty awesome, I have used it for making all sorts of things with my Cricut, but there is one thing I wish that could be changed. I wish that the words didn’t have to be so random, like that they could stay in the order that I wrote them, so you could actually read the song lyrics that I was putting into the image... if that makes any sense ### 3/5 — First use CRASH *2018-12-04, version 3.1.15* Appears to be useful but make sure to pre-type your wordlist and then feed it in. I unfortunately did it manually in the program and all the words were GONE ~poof~. Save some time and do everything outside program if you REALLY want it to work. Still worth the $ but just want to warn those of the buggies. I hope for better fixes and updates after the new year. Maybe they are spending their time updating and making updates to the ever-changing iOS that has more updates now than MS>. ~Di ### 3/5 — Surprisingly powerful *2018-06-16, version 3.1.15* Great functionality but terrible interface and buggy ### 4/5 — Still learning *2016-11-15, version 3.1.6* I read reviews on all the other word collage apps and took a risk on this app as it had 1 review. I do like the app- I like that I can import my own shapes to make my collage- I like that I can create and change the color pallets- and I like that I can chose to have minimal words- or a lot of words crammed in. What I would change- or add: 1. The ability to ensure certain words are larger or the biggest word in the collage. And a specific color- I thought this was going to work because when creating the word lists it lets me pick the word size- and color...word by word... Unless I am doing it completely wrong- there is no point in this because it is not working. 2. The ability to "shake up" the result- get colors to change- or words to rearrange. The comment above could help with this I am thinking. 3. I haven't had a lot of time on my phone to figure out importing lists - I have manually added my words to the lists. Instructions or tutorials would be great. 4. Does this have spell check? Also would be nice if it would capitalize words automatically 5. Instructions or tutorials!!!! I spent a lot of time messing around and going to the same place before figuring out how to generate my word collage. I am also impatient like 99% of the world... So I didn't initially notice it was working to create my collage... Which is why i probably ended up in the options category s much. PLEASE ADD THIS!!! 6. The ability to tell it which words to repeat... And which words not to repeat. This should be an option. 7. The ability to have the primary or main word(s) come through clearly. Almost like a title- or better yet- the ability to place that main word as a layer over the top of the word cloud. 8. I would also like to be able to have images burn through the words- example- my shape is a Christmas tree- the words make up the shape of the tree- but you can still see the lights or bulbs in the background - brighter or darker than the rest of the background. I am sure I will think of more.... And will be happy to share as I go. ### 4/5 — Brilliant- but could be amazing *2016-10-09, version 3.1.6* Brilliant- but could be amazing Would be amazing if you could reduce the font size - so the font size is all small - to get more detail etc ### 4/5 — Almost Great! *2016-04-22, version 3.1.2* Really good app, works well on iPad Air2. Lots of customizations for colours, layout, fonts, and if you don't find one you like just add it! The extra star comes with the ability to save generated word cloud PDFs to iCloud (rather than having to email them to yourself). ### 3/5 — Honestly... *2016-04-07, version 3.1.2* I was unsure of whether or not to buy this because some apps are really bad. The reviews were kinda iffy but it is pretty good. It's not AWESOME but it's decent... ### 2/5 — Only makes square word clouds *2016-02-09, version 3.1.2* This would be a great app if I could have any shape other than square! It works fine if I want a square word cloud with a blank shape in the middle. If I select a different shape for the word cloud though it still comes out square ### 2/5 — Changes really killed it *2016-01-22, version 3.1.2* I don't know what they did to this app in recent updates. I really liked it when I got it but now I am deleting it. It's clunky and not nearly as intuitive as it was. For the life of me, I can't figure out how to add make color palettes with more than one foreground color anymore. It's a shame because it was a really cute app before. ### 3/5 — Pretty Good *2016-01-20, version 3.1.2* Good word cloud generator. Would be better if it had more shapes but more importantly if the import shape from photo was better, pictures are limited to black and white thresholds, so personal pics don't work too well. I'd still recommend this app. ### 5/5 — Amazing app for making word cloud art!!! *2015-12-19, version 3.1.1* I have never taken the time to write a review but this app does it all. I am very impressed with the forethought and detail. Thank you Literally amazing 💜 ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Crashing *2022-05-09, version 3.1.19* I’ve used this app and works great, but recently it’s been crashing. I can’t even open it. Please fix! ### 1/5 — Very glitchy *2019-05-26, version 3.1.16* This is so glitchy, you cant add words using the edit button, the app is not user friendly at all. Other word apps out there that are much better ### 1/5 — Primitive *2018-02-22, version 3.1.15* Compared to WordFoto this is primitive, and closer rival Wordificator also does it better. Waste of 99p. Nic ### 1/5 — Loved the app until your new update *2017-11-12, version 3.1.13* I used this and loved the original idea. Was very simple but effective. Now I find it very complex and hard work. I prefer the old much simpler style ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2016-08-30, version 3.1.6* Waste of money ### 1/5 — Not Working! *2016-03-27, version 3.1.2* This app is not working at all. Too bad I can't get a refund ### 1/5 — Does Not Work on iPhone 6 *2015-12-14, version 3.1.0* The "use your own photo" feature crashes the app every single time. ### 1/5 — Horrible app *2015-12-11, version 3.1.0* Absolute worse app ever crashes are horrific the app is a total waste of time ### 1/5 — Very Basic *2015-12-10, version 3.1.0* Crashed to use own photo and its very elementary. ### 1/5 — Crash in iOS 9.2 *2015-12-09, version 3.1.0* Fix it please. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Sparks My Creativity *2025-12-16, version 3.1.19* Phoetic surpasses any word cloud program I’ve tried. Being able to upload my own photos has been my favorite feature. One thing, on my new iPhone the app frequently crashes which it never did before. Is there a compatibility problem with iOS 26? ### 5/5 — Favorite word cloud generator! *2023-02-11, version 3.1.14* 2023 update: Still love it! Most of the word cloud generators I have purchased have soon ended up deleted. Of the two I have kept, I use this one nearly twice as often. This is, hands down, my favorite word cloud generator and I have several. It’s also the best priced! With Phoetic, I have the most versatility over fonts, colors and pdf export layers with this app. If exporting using pdf, each word is editable with illustrator. Most apps, yeah, it’s vectorized, but it’s a flat image that can’t be altered. Phoetic is by far the easiest to use for awesome results. I have others that are easy to use, but are very limited in shape and color choices. It does have limitations (the reason I have other word cloud apps), like I can’t specify a specific word or phrase to be dominant in size. I have to regenerate the image until that randomly happens. I also cannot specify a location for the dominant sized word/phrase. For me those are the only draw backs and I just use a different app for that. Over all, this one is still the best. **Now, I wish the developer would make An OS X desktop version. ### 5/5 — Favorite word cloud generator! *2020-04-01, version 3.1.16* This is, hands down, my favorite word cloud generator and I have several. It’s also the best priced! With Phoetic, I have the most versatility over fonts, colors and pdf export layers with this app. If exporting using pdf, each word is editable with illustrator. Most apps, yeah, it’s vectorized, but it’s a flat image that can’t be altered. Phoetic is by far the easiest to use for awesome results. I have others that are easy to use, but are very limited in shape and color choices. It does have limitations (the reason I have other word cloud apps), like I can’t specify a specific word or phrase to be dominant in size. I have to regenerate the image until that randomly happens. I also cannot specify a location for the dominant sized word/phrase. For me those are the only draw backs and I just use a different app for that. Over all, this one is still the best. **Now, I wish the developer would make An OS X desktop version. ### 5/5 — Professional results *2018-12-01, version 3.1.15* Do not dismiss this one. It does take a while to figure out the best settings for the outcome one needs to achieve but after that it works like a treat. Getting a high res png with optional transparent background is an added bonus, not offered by rival apps mentioned by other users! ### 5/5 — Great App! High Quality Images Are Produced *2018-06-11, version 3.1.15* In the word cloud, the larger words are the ones in the text with the highest frequency. This app does that perfectly. It also easily converts images in the app and they are very high quality. If you need a Vector save it as a pdf. It’s also easy to use. ### 5/5 — Best word cloud / tag cloud app out there *2018-03-20, version 3.1.15* In terms of word cloud apps, this seems to be the best one on the App Store. I’ve purchased the others... and this one gives the best results. Pros: Exports as a high quality vector PDF (Emeds font) Word spacing can be tighter than any other app. Like how they handle font integration. Colors are easy to deal with Cons: Would be nice to randomize or size based on frequency when importing,text. [Edit] I had originally said that the app doesn’t export high quality PDF’s. The developer has contacted me and sure enough, the app does in fact export vector based PDF’s. I have added this too the pros and adjusted my star rating. ### 5/5 — Exactly what I was looking for. *2018-02-05, version 3.1.15* This app performs super well. Lots of advanced options and quick results. ### 5/5 — Really cool, good quality results *2016-05-13, version 3.1.5* This app offers more options than the others I've tried, and it gives high quality images. I also like that there's an option available to have a transparent background. Sometimes you may have to play with the settings to get an image to come out right, but that's just the nature of making text art. I like that this app gives enough options to tweak so you can get it to come out just right. ### 5/5 — Just brilliant *2016-05-10, version 3.1.4* Really easy to use, glad i found it ### 5/5 — Really good *2016-03-08, version 3.1.2* Like wordle but SOO MUCH BETTER. I love it how you can use your own photo to make a word cloud. Def worth 99c --- *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 2026-06-10.*