Comparison

The Stranger vs Ustreme

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The Stranger

This app enables performers to create impossible moments where a random stranger reveals information chosen by the audience. It supports various revelations, including playing cards, words, numbers, and names, with international language support for a global audience.

Highlights
  • Reveal chosen playing cards
  • Reveal thought-of words
  • Reveal numbers from addresses
  • Reveal names of loved ones
  • International language support
  • Customizable phone screen language
Features
Read full description

“There are very few effects that transcend ‘magic trick’. ’The Stranger' is one of those effects." -David Regal, "Genii Magazine" “The Stranger” offers unlimited scenarios: A playing card is chosen, a word is thought of from a Book Test, the numbers from someone’s address are named, an envelope is freely selected, or the name of someone’s loved one is offered…and then, a random stranger is called. The audience has a conversation with the stranger and the stranger reveals the information. This is an impossible moment. It leaves the audience with a feeling they cannot explain and they erupt in applause! Not out of a desire to be kind, rather as an uncontrollable, visceral reaction. And it happens every time. With this purchase, you can have a playing card—any card, using no force of any kind—revealed by a stranger. Other effects can be unlocked to allow a number or a word revealed, read an NFC tag, or to simply allow the audience member to speak and have key details revealed by the stranger on the other end of the call without the performer saying a word. “It crushed! One guy jumped out of his seat and ran out of the theater!” —Larry Wilmore “So clever... the method alone opens up SO many possibilities” —Danny Garcia "It may just be the most fantastic five minutes of entertainment possible with a cell phone!” —Jim Steinmeyer “This is one of the strongest and most well put together phone app effects I've ever seen!” —Tony Clark “This brilliantly thought-out routine defies explanation.” —Mike Caveney “Jonathan has put a lot of work into this versatile app to make it an incredibly useful approach to the modern day Mr. Wizard effect… and much more!” — Marc Kerstein "I am having a blast with ‘The Stranger.’ A perfect, offbeat trick that I pull out when I want to send them over the edge.” —Paul Gertner “You did it! This is definitely the best 'Call a Stranger' idea ever! For the working pro to the beginner. This is a real winner!” —Dan Harlan “When I watched Jonathan Levit perform ’The Stranger,' he received the largest explosive reaction I've ever heard inside the Chicago Magic Lounge.” —Danny Orleans “Jonathan has thought of everything. Do yourself a huge favor, download 'The Stranger' today!” —Carl Andrews, "Vanish Magazine" INTERNATIONAL GLOBALIZATION: Support for International regions and languages include the following: Phone Number Display: When dialing a phone number within or to a country, the proper phone number format will display on screen. Ringer Tones: The tones you hear while waiting for the call to pick-up are correct for the region. Disconnected Number Recording Convincer: This convincer prior to calling a recording or a live Stranger, will be in the language of the region set by the user. Phone Screen Language Translation: The phone dial screen and active call screen display the correct language for the screens. Conversation Recordings: Phone conversations are in the language of the region chosen by the user. ___________________________ REGIONS AND INTERNATIONAL FEATURES SUPPORTED: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, China (Cantonese), El Salvador, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA: Phone number, Ringer tones, Disconnected number recording, Phone screen translation, Recordings China (Mandarin), Denmark (Danish), Netherlands (Dutch), Russia, Switzerland, Belgium, Kuwait, Philippines, Croatia, Vietnam, Romania: Phone number, Ringer tones, Disconnected number recording, Phone screen translation India, Japan: Phone number, Ringer tones, Disconnected number recording, Recordings NOTE: If you do not see your region listed above, please feel free to contact me directly at thestranger@jonathanlevit.com to request for your region to be included in a future update. This app is for entertainment purposes only. Click here (http://thestrangerapp.com/terms/) to see Terms of use for more information.

About

Ustreme

Stream live comedy shows, series, and specials from the premier comedy streaming channel. Enjoy exclusive content directly on your device.

Highlights
  • Live comedy shows
  • Comedy series
  • Comedy specials
  • Streaming channel
  • Exclusive content
Features
Read full description

The number one comedy streaming channel. Live shows, series and specials. Ustreme Pricing: • Subscription 1 Month - USD [5.99] • Subscription 1 Year - USD [59.99]   * For non-US app stores, the equivalent currency charges will apply.   Please note: App subscriptions do not include access to subscription-only content on our website. Additional Subscription Information: • 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. • No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Privacy Policy - https://bit.ly/2J5Ujfh Terms of Use - https://bit.ly/2J1YZqL • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.

Screenshots

The Stranger4 screens
Ustreme4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: The Stranger at 4.9 against Ustreme's 4.0. The Stranger also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. The Stranger sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Ustreme sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The Stranger holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Stranger has 86 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 96% of The Stranger's written reviews are positive against 75% of Ustreme's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Stranger ships an update fortnightly, Ustreme every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
The Stranger versus Ustreme: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe StrangerUstreme
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (86 ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews95.6% of reviews — better75.0% of reviews
Number of ratings86 — better4
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size246 MB72 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperJonathan Levit ConsultingJR Media Limited

Customer experience

The Stranger

All ratings86 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive95.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.9%

Ustreme

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral4.2%
Negative20.8%

In-app purchases

15 purchases

The Stranger

Subscriptions4
  • Activate Friend Auto Texting$3.991 Month
  • Live to Pro (1 month)$18.991 Month
  • Monthly Access Autocrib AI1 Month trial$29.001 Month
Show 1 more
  • Live to Pro (1 year)$199.991 Year
One-time11
  • Recording: Poor Cell Reception$14.99
  • Recording: Memdeck$14.99
  • Nail Writer Revelation$49.99
Show 8 more
  • Upgrade To Lite$49.99
  • Book Test Revelation$99.99
  • Activate Friend Auto Texting$99.99
  • Upgrade To Live From Lite$149.00
  • Playing Card revelation$149.99
  • Listen Revelation$199.99
  • Upgrade To Live From Trial$299.00
  • Stranger system$999.99
13 purchases

Ustreme

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$7.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$79.991 Year
One-time11
  • Jethro Live in Plymouth$5.99
  • Bobby Davro Live$5.99
  • Freddie Starr Live & Devilish$5.99
Show 8 more
  • Freddie Starr Live and$5.99
  • Joe Pasquale - Everything I$5.99
  • JETHRO RULE BRITANNIA$5.99
  • Jim Davidson - Jim's Silver$5.99
  • A Celebrity Audience with Jimm$5.99
  • Jim Davidson Red White$5.99
  • Jim Davidson & Guests Live$12.99
  • Live Event$12.99

Questions

Is The Stranger free?
The Stranger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Ustreme free?
Ustreme is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, The Stranger or Ustreme?
The Stranger is rated higher. The Stranger averages 4.9 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while Ustreme averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do The Stranger or Ustreme have ads?
Ustreme shows ads; The Stranger does not.
Which is updated more often, The Stranger or Ustreme?
The Stranger ships an update fortnightly, and Ustreme every 3 months. Most recently, The Stranger was updated on October 17, 2026 and Ustreme on October 15, 2026.

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