# SGI vs Sounds True

The clearest difference is rating: Sounds True at 4.6 against SGI's 4.1. Sounds True also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). SGI's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and review sentiment (50% vs 26%). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Sounds True sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. SGI asks for nothing beyond the download.

Sounds True holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 744 and 1.2K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of SGI's written reviews are positive against 26% of Sounds True's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

SGI ships an update every 4 months, Sounds True every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SGI | Sounds True |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (744 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sgi-usa/id1158895738/reviews) | **[4.6 (1.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sounds-true/id1609502046/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 744 | **1.2K** |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 25.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 63 MB | 71 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Soka Gakkai International - USA](https://appshunter.io/developer/1158895737) | [Sounds True](https://appshunter.io/developer/478195826) |

## What reviewers say

### SGI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sgi-usa/id1158895738)

Support your daily Buddhist practice with tools for chanting, recitation, and goal tracking. Find local facilities and access Buddhist resources.

**Highlights:** Chanting calculator with target tracking, Audio guide for daily recitation, Goal setting and progress monitoring, SGI-USA facility locator, Links to World Tribune website

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful for practice
- 🚀 Comprehensive app with many features
- 💡 Ability to chant with audio
- 💡 Access to publications and study materials
- 👍 Great for beginners and experienced users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches after updates
- 🔒 Login issues and need to log in frequently
- 🔋 Timer/stopwatch issues when phone is locked or app is closed
- 👎 Slow chanting/gongyo speed options
- 👎 Difficulty navigating and finding content

**Reported bugs**

- Daimoku count not updating accurately
- Writings of Nichiren Daishonin not loading
- Crashes or freezes when using certain features
- Incorrect or outdated content displayed

**Requested features**

- Ability to adjust chanting/gongyo speed
- Seamless looping of chanting audio
- Sync daimoku counts across devices
- More customization options (e.g. font size, themes)
- Improved navigation and organization of content


### Sounds True

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sounds-true/id1609502046)

Access a vast library of online courses, audio programs, and exclusive content from world-renowned experts in mindfulness, healing, and personal growth. Connect with a global community, join live events, and explore a variety of wellness practices to support your journey inward.

**Highlights:** Access purchased courses and audio programs, Sounds True One membership content, Live Q&As and interviews with experts, Global community for connection and discussion, Immersive virtual retreats, Weekly group meditations, Variety of wellness practices

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly All Access | $19.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Annual | $179.99 | per year |
| Yearly All Access | $189.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 High-quality content
- 💡 Variety of teachings and programs
- 👍 Inspiring community

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and glitches
- 🔋 Audio stops playing when screen locks
- 👎 Poor customer support and technical issues
- 🤯 Confusing navigation and app design

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to access purchased courses
- App freezes and becomes unresponsive
- Inconsistent login and password issues

**Requested features**

- Add search functionality to easily find content
- Allow background audio playback when app is closed
- Improve offline access to purchased content
- Provide better integration between app and website


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SGI free?

SGI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sounds True free?

Sounds True is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SGI or Sounds True?

Sounds True is rated higher. SGI averages 4.1 out of 5 from 744 ratings, while Sounds True averages 4.6 from 1.2K ratings.

### Do SGI or Sounds True have ads?

Neither SGI nor Sounds True shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SGI or Sounds True?

SGI ships an update every 4 months, and Sounds True every 2 months. Most recently, SGI was updated on November 6, 2026 and Sounds True on November 7, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*