Comparison

Shuffle Sleep vs Kotonemu

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Cognitive shuffle method
  • Human narrations
  • Bi-lingual support (English/Japanese)
  • Customizable rhythms
  • Sleep timer
  • Word management
Features
Read full description

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.

About

Kotonemu

Features
Read full description

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

Shuffle Sleep3 screens
Kotonemu4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Kotonemu sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Shuffle Sleep asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Shuffle Sleep versus Kotonemu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShuffle SleepKotonemu
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 5 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSollappsGYOU GI

In-app purchases

None

Shuffle Sleep

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Kotonemu

One-time2
  • At Your Ear$12.99
  • All Night$12.99

Questions

Is Shuffle Sleep free?
Shuffle Sleep is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Kotonemu free?
Kotonemu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Shuffle Sleep or Kotonemu have ads?
Shuffle Sleep shows ads; Kotonemu does not.
Which is updated more often, Shuffle Sleep or Kotonemu?
Shuffle Sleep ships an update every 5 weeks, and Kotonemu every 5 weeks. Most recently, Shuffle Sleep was updated on November 3, 2026 and Kotonemu on October 31, 2026.

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