Shuffle Sleep vs Kotonemu
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Shuffle Sleep
This app uses a cognitive method to help you fall asleep faster by presenting a sequence of unrelated images. It features human narrations, customizable rhythms, and a sleep timer to aid your transition into rest.
- Cognitive shuffle method
- Human narrations
- Bi-lingual support (English/Japanese)
- Customizable rhythms
- Sleep timer
- Word management
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Based on the "Cognitive Shuffle" method developed by Dr. Luc Beaudoin, a cognitive scientist at Simon Fraser University, this app is designed to help you drift off by scrambling your logical thoughts. When your brain is busy solving problems or worrying, it stays awake. By visualizing a sequence of unrelated images—like "Sunfish," "Crocodile," or "Sweater"—you trigger the brain's natural transition into sleep mode. [Features] Human Narrations: Natural, soothing voices recorded by professional voice actors, not robotic text-to-speech. Bi-lingual Support: Features both Japanese and English narrators. Customizable Rhythms: Adjust repeat counts and silent intervals to match your personal sleep pace. Sleep Timer: Automatically stops playback so you can sleep soundly. Word Management: Toggle specific words on or off to create your perfect shuffle list.
Kotonemu
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For nights when your thoughts will not stop. Kotonemu reads out unrelated words, one at a time, in a gentle voice. Apple. Umbrella. Mailbox. While you picture words that have nothing to do with each other, your brain cannot keep a chain of reasoning going. As that effort loosens, sleep arrives on its own. It is a direct implementation of the method known as cognitive shuffle. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT - A different order every night. 600 words, chosen so that related ones never follow each other. No two words from the same category, and no two starting with the same sound. You will not learn the sequence. - It fades as it goes. Volume, the gap between words, and the reading speed all ease off over the session, so it keeps reaching you if you are still awake without waking you once you are not. BUILT NOT TO DISTURB - No ads. Nothing interrupts you. - No network. It works in airplane mode. - The screen dims by itself, and you can hide the words entirely. - Optional rain or ocean underneath. THE VOICE All 600 words were recorded by a voice actor. Nothing is synthesised. PRICING The app is free. All 600 words and the 10, 15 and 30 minute sessions stay free forever. For seven days you can also use every session length. After that, a single payment unlocks the 60 minute, 90 minute and unlimited sessions if you want them. There is no subscription. This app is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose or treat insomnia. If sleeplessness persists, please consult a doctor. LINKS Support https://kotonemu.glspace.co.jp/support.html Privacy Policy https://kotonemu.glspace.co.jp/privacy.html Terms of Use https://kotonemu.glspace.co.jp/terms.html
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shuffle Sleep at none against Kotonemu's 2. Shuffle Sleep also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). Kotonemu's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price and update cadence 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. Kotonemu sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Shuffle Sleep asks for nothing beyond the download.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Shuffle Sleep | Kotonemu |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (4 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sollapps | GYOU GI |
In-app purchases
Shuffle Sleep
No in-app purchases
Kotonemu
- At Your Ear$12.99
- All Night$12.99








