Vision vs Amalgam by Marc Kerstein
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Vision
This app uses your iPhone's camera to scan and identify playing cards in a face-up spread. It can display the order of detected cards and show any missing ones. Basic functionality is available for free, with a subscription unlocking all features.
- Capture card spreads via video stream
- Detect and display card order
- Show missing cards
- Supports regular Poker-Playing cards
- Fast detection (under 1 second)
- Variety of settings
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IMPORTANT: That you really can use the app, you have to make an in-app purchase. Without the in-app purchase, you will have only some basic functionality to verify, that the app does really what you expect. A face-up spread of playing cards can be captured via the video-stream from the back camera of the iPhone. The order of the playing cards will be detected and can be displayed. All missing cards can be displayed too. All regular Poker-Playing cards (Bicycle, Phoenix) are detected. Also the new Phoenix Large Index Deck is supported. Important: Jokers are NOT detected! The detection and analysis works very fast (faster than 1 second). The app has a variety of different settings. To unlock the whole functionality, you can purchase the monthly subscription "Full Access". With this subscription you unlock (for the time periode of the subscription) all features of Vision. In addition to that, it also unlocks (for the same time periode) all in-app purchases of the companion app Vision:Tricks. If you do purchase the subscription, please note: • The subscription of "Full Access" is running one month. • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Privacy Policy and Terms of use: https://www.vision-tricks.com/app_access/info/terms-and-privacy-policy.php
Amalgam by Marc Kerstein
This app offers a collection of powerful yet easy-to-use magic effects that can be performed using just your phone. It includes detailed instructions, customization options, and a community section for sharing tips.
- Multiple magic effects in one app
- Powerful yet easy to perform effects
- Requires only your phone
- Includes instructions and customization
- Community section for tips and routines
- Offline functionality for most effects
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Amalgam comprises of multiple effects, all within one app. All effects are chosen to be powerful, yet easy to perform. And each effect requires nothing more than just your phone. Amalgam includes instructions as well as various customisation settings. It even includes a community section for user-submitted tips and routines. AMALGAM INCLUDES: * Streets * Streets is finally back! John Archer has given his exclusive permission for this remake of his popular Streets app, which now incorporates new features including a modernised real map and a new "gyro crib". - Divine where in the world your spectator is thinking of! - A book test with no memory work required. - A new "legitimate mode" which supports all languages. * TimedOut * A customisable prediction effect that's all in your spectator's hands. Predict a number, dice roll, ESP symbol, star sign or more. - Prediction can be an image in your Photos or perhaps a drawing. - After making your prediction, you do not touch the phone again. - No Internet or Bluetooth required: nothing is sent to or from the device. - Your spectator checks the prediction themselves: the phone remains in their hands! - No voice recognition! - Perfect for pairing with other electronic mentalism effects: reveal a photo from two days ago of you predicting their dice roll, which even they don't know yet! * Watch * A revelation of a freely chosen time. Your spectator zooms in to a wristwatch in a photograph to find it's set to the time they just named. - Customisable: use your own photo. - Any time can be named to the minute. - Novel method: no voice recognition or unjustified inputs. * Word Search * Seemingly demonstrate superhuman memory abilities with this word search game from Harry De Cruz. Although you only look at the word search for a couple of seconds, you can reveal the positions and directions of all words hiding within. - Method keeps memory work to a minimum: if you know the alphabet, you can perform this effect. - No need to secretly obtain information during the effect. - Phone remains in the spectator's hands. * Inertia * Force text, photos and videos on any website, without hiding the screen from the spectator. Inertia works great as a prediction effect, or combined with your favourite revelation. - Predict a word on any website. - Force photos or videos on Instagram. - Reveal you predicted a selected Tweet, movie or Instagram post. * OneStopShop * This fully customisable effect allows you to force a product of your choosing from an online store. - Novel input method combining old and new mechanics. - Multiple built-in presets, or create your own. - Force multiple playing card back designs, thanks to Theory11, Daniel Madison and Patrick Kun. - Built-in clothing preset is perfect to combine with physical effects, such as Dresscode by Calen Morelli. * ChoiceMail * Your spectator's selection is impossibly revealed when listening to a received audio message. - Input mechanism allows you to secretly code the reveal in performance. - Novel input peek system is hidden in plain sight. - HUGE thanks go to AGT winner Shin Lim, who has recorded the built-in presets! - Also fully customisable with custom presets. * Amped * Using a combination of screenshots, Amped lets you demonstrate your apparent superhuman powers over technology. - Included settings allow for multiple customisation options. - Ends clean - device can be fully inspected at the end of the performance. - Combine with a Charge Card (sold separately) for a physical effect. MORE INFO: Each effect in Amalgam includes detailed in-app instructions and settings. The included effects are for entertainment purposes only, designed for professional performers. This app does not provide true mind reading abilities or anything similar. Please get in touch to discuss TV or video performance rights.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Amalgam by Marc Kerstein at 4.7 against Vision's 2.3. Amalgam by Marc Kerstein also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Vision sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month and Amalgam by Marc Kerstein sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Amalgam by Marc Kerstein holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Amalgam by Marc Kerstein has 48 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Vision's written reviews are positive against 93% of Amalgam by Marc Kerstein's.
Vision ships an update every 2 months, Amalgam by Marc Kerstein every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Vision | Amalgam by Marc Kerstein |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.3 (3 ratings) | 4.7 (48 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | 93.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 48 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 14.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Martin Eisele | Marc Kerstein |
Customer experience
Vision
Amalgam by Marc Kerstein
In-app purchases
Vision
- Full access$9.991 Month
Amalgam by Marc Kerstein
- TimedOutFree
- Amped$14.99
- Watch$24.99
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- Word Search$24.99
- OneStopShop$29.99
- ChoiceMail$29.99
- Streets$33.99
- Inertia$37.99
- Season One$69.99
- Season Two$84.99
Questions
Is Vision free?
Is Amalgam by Marc Kerstein free?
Which has better reviews, Vision or Amalgam by Marc Kerstein?
Do Vision or Amalgam by Marc Kerstein have ads?
Which is updated more often, Vision or Amalgam by Marc Kerstein?
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