The Stranger vs SGF Theater
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Reveal chosen playing cards
- Reveal thought-of words
- Reveal numbers from addresses
- Reveal names of loved ones
- International language support
- Customizable phone screen language
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“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.
SGF Theater
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SGF Theater is the companion app for ticket buyers at participating theaters. Sign in with the same email address you used at checkout. We send a six-digit, one-time code that expires after 10 minutes, so there is no password to remember. Keep your visit organized in one place. View upcoming tickets and scannable QR codes. Saved tickets remain available when you are offline. Review order history and details. Check gift card and MagicPASS balances. Add eligible tickets to Apple Wallet or your calendar. Choose whether to receive reminders and updates. Cancel eligible orders when the option is shown. Coming with friends? Send eligible extra tickets to your companions from the app by adding their names and email addresses. Keep at least one ticket for yourself per performance. Companions receive their own ticket email and can sign in with the same email address to find their ticket in the app, download a PDF, and use supported wallet and calendar options. Browse upcoming shows across participating theaters before signing in. On your first sign-in, choose one theater or start with the theater of your next ticketed performance. Switch theaters or follow several in Account, and your Shows tab displays only those theaters. Your choices are saved for your account on this device. Choose a performance and tickets, then complete your purchase in the app using a card or Apple Pay on supported devices. Payments are processed through Stripe for admission to live, in-person performances. Event availability, venue rules, purchase terms, refund policies, and age restrictions are set by each theater.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SGF Theater at none against The Stranger's 15. SGF Theater also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). The Stranger's advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. The Stranger sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. SGF Theater asks for nothing beyond the download.
The Stranger ships an update fortnightly, SGF Theater every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | The Stranger | SGF Theater |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (84 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 95.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 84 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 246 MB | 70 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Jonathan Levit Consulting | Secret Golden Flower LLC |
In-app purchases
The Stranger
- 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 moreShow fewer
- Live to Pro (1 year)$199.991 Year
- Recording: Poor Cell Reception$14.99
- Recording: Memdeck$14.99
- Nail Writer Revelation$49.99
Show 8 moreShow fewer
- 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
SGF Theater
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is The Stranger free?
Is SGF Theater free?
Do The Stranger or SGF Theater have ads?
Which is updated more often, The Stranger or SGF Theater?
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