Comparison

CubeNook vs SherlockTrainer

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

Head to head
About

CubeNook

Master speedcubing with this app that teaches and drills CFOP algorithms. Practice on a virtual cube or connect to a smart cube, track your progress, and improve your solve times. Supports multiple languages and offers light/dark modes.

Highlights
  • Learn 119 CFOP cases with 239 algorithms
  • Practice on a 3D virtual cube
  • Connect to smart cubes via Bluetooth
  • Track solve times, Ao5, and Ao12
  • Zero-setup practice for CFOP steps
  • Notation drill for move learning
Features
Read full description

CubeNook is a speedcubing app for learning, drilling and tracking CFOP algorithms. Check all 119 F2L, OLL and PLL cases in 3D, then practice on the on-screen cube or a smart cube. LEARN • All 119 cases (F2L 41, OLL 57, PLL 21) with 239 algorithms • Replay any algorithm on a 3D cube (0.5x, 1x, 2x), with mirrors that show the hidden faces • Mark each case as not started, learning or learned, and choose the algorithm you use • Today's review: practice the learning and learned cases that are due PRACTICE • Virtual cube: tap the on-screen cube to turn it. The guide shows where to tap and which move it makes • Zero-setup practice: solve Cross, F2L, OLL and PLL cases one after another without rescrambling your cube, with recognition time, execution time and move count • Solve practice: full solves from scrambles • Notation drill: turn the moves you are shown to learn notation and common triggers TRACK • Timer with 15-second inspection, +2 and DNF, sessions, best, Ao5 and Ao12 • Time with the virtual cube or a smart cube to see the time and moves of each CFOP step and replay the solve SMART CUBE • Connects directly over Bluetooth to the GAN i4 (Gen4 protocol) and detects every move ALSO • Choose how you hold the cube (top and front colors) • Light and dark appearance • 8 languages: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic About CFOP: CFOP is the most popular speedcubing method. It has four steps: • Cross: solve the cross on the bottom • F2L (First Two Layers): finish the first two layers (41 cases) • OLL (Orientation of the Last Layer): orient the top layer (57 cases) • PLL (Permutation of the Last Layer): permute the top layer to finish (21 cases)

About

SherlockTrainer

Features
Read full description

SherlockTrainer is a focused practice tool for Pit Hartling's "Sherlock" — the brilliant effect from his book In Order To Amaze (2016). SherlockTrainer gives you those reps you need to build speed and confidence, anytime, without a deck in your hands. WHAT IT DOES The app simulates a complete Sherlock practice session starting with a shuffled and cut deck. The app then presents the shuffled spread for you to work through along with the final card selection. Scroll through the deck horizontally, tap cards to upjog them, strip when ready, and move to the next round — just like the real handling. TRAINING AIDS — "Looking For" display shows your current target card (toggle on/off) — Stack number overlay on each card (toggle on/off) — Timer from start to reveal — Correct/incorrect scoring on every session Turn the aids off as you improve and work toward performance speed. WHO THIS IS FOR This app is a training device for magicians who already own In Order To Amaze by Pit Hartling and are learning or performing the Sherlock effect. It assumes familiarity with the Mnemonica stack by Juan Tamariz. If you don't yet own these books — go buy them both. Seriously. In Order To Amaze is one of the great modern magic books, and Mnemonica is foundational. SherlockTrainer is not a substitute for either.

Screenshots

CubeNook4 screens
SherlockTrainer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SherlockTrainer at none against CubeNook's shown. CubeNook's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CubeNook ships an update weekly, SherlockTrainer every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
CubeNook versus SherlockTrainer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCubeNookSherlockTrainer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (22 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews82.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings22 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size92 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSeiichirou TanakaKevin Haggard

In-app purchases

None

CubeNook

No in-app purchases

None

SherlockTrainer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CubeNook free?
CubeNook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SherlockTrainer free?
SherlockTrainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do CubeNook or SherlockTrainer have ads?
CubeNook shows ads; SherlockTrainer does not.
Which is updated more often, CubeNook or SherlockTrainer?
CubeNook ships an update weekly, and SherlockTrainer every 3 months. Most recently, CubeNook was updated on November 10, 2026 and SherlockTrainer on October 31, 2026.

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