Comparison

Shadow Work App vs Shadow Work & CBT

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

Head to head
About

Shadow Work App

This app helps you transform your mindset to ease stress, unlock creativity, and cultivate deeper awareness. Become the author of your life story by shifting your experience of the world.

Highlights
  • Ease stressful thoughts
  • Unlock creativity
  • Shift world experience
  • Become author of your story
  • Cultivate deeper awareness
  • Progress tracking
  • Offline sync
Features
Read full description

Most people don't need more journaling prompts. They need someone who actually knows what they're looking at. Shadow Work App is built on 25 years of depth-work methodology by Steven Twohig — an international speaker, founder of Mastering Change, Executive Director of the Evolving Mind Project (EMP), and author and teacher of Turning Within. This is not a wellness app. It is a practice. WHAT SHADOW WORK ACTUALLY IS The part of you running the show isn't the part you're watching. Shadow is meaning in exile — the thoughts, impulses, and patterns you've disowned. They don't disappear. They drive. This app gives you a structured way to see them, name them, and reclaim what they're carrying. WHAT YOU WORK WITH - The Construct — a seven-facet map of how your mind builds your experience right now - Guided depth sessions drawn from live group facilitation - Turning Within practices for solo work between sessions - Prompts that move below the surface, not across it WHO THIS IS FOR You've done (or doing) the therapy. You've read (reading) the books. Something is still calling you to dig deeper into the root. This is for the person ready to stop managing circumstances and start understanding the architecture of their own mind. BUILT DIFFERENTLY Most apps give you prompts. This gives you a methodology. The difference is knowing why a pattern exists — not just that it does. Download free. Go deeper than you have before. END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Shadow Work & CBT

Explore your inner world with daily journaling prompts and AI-powered insights. Uncover hidden patterns, triggers, and emotional healing through guided self-discovery. Features curated categories for deeper exploration.

Highlights
  • Daily shadow work prompts
  • AI-generated personalized insights
  • Tailored reflection questions
  • Curated prompt categories
  • Private journaling space
Features
Read full description

Unlock your inner world with a Shadow Work Journal — your companion for deeper self-discovery and emotional healing. Each day, receive a powerful journaling prompt to explore your thoughts, triggers, and hidden patterns. After you write, our AI analyzes your entry and returns personalized insights—helping you uncover what lies beneath the surface. Want to dive deeper? Get reflection questions, tailored to your unique experience. Feeling called to explore something specific? Browse curated prompt categories like Inner Child Healing, Triggers, Anxiety, Family Patterns, and more. Whether you're a seasoned journaler or just starting out, a Shadow Work Journal provides a safe, private space to meet yourself with honesty, compassion, and curiosity. Features: - Daily shadow work prompts - AI-generated insights based on your entry - Personalized follow-up reflection questions - Curated prompt categories - A private, judgment-free journaling space Begin your healing journey — one reflection at a time. Privacy Policy: https://embernext.com/privacy-policy/hollowlight_shadow_work Terms: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Shadow Work App4 screens
Shadow Work & CBT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Shadow Work App at 89% against Shadow Work & CBT's 22%. Shadow Work App also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Shadow Work & CBT's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0.0 vs 16.6). On price, ratings volume, ads 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. Shadow Work App sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and Shadow Work & CBT sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Shadow Work App holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 11 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Shadow Work App's written reviews are positive against 22% of Shadow Work & CBT's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shadow Work App ships an update every 3 weeks, Shadow Work & CBT every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Shadow Work App versus Shadow Work & CBT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShadow Work AppShadow Work & CBT
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (29 ratings) — better3.2 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews — better22.2% of reviews
Number of ratings29 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.614.0.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size51 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMastering ChangeEmber Next LLC

Customer experience

Shadow Work App

All ratings29 ratings
Positive86.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.8%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%

Shadow Work & CBT

All ratings11 ratings
Positive54.5%
Neutral9.1%
Negative36.4%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive22.2%
Neutral11.1%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Shadow Work App

One-time9
  • Introduction to Shadow Work$4.99
  • Shadow Work Intro$9.95
  • One Time Subscription$19.99
Show 6 more
  • Mental Cleanse App$48.99
  • One Time Subscription$48.99
  • Constructive Thought Process$49.00
  • Living Mythically$49.00
  • Mastermind Group$59.99
  • Digital Guide Education$79.00
3 purchases

Shadow Work & CBT

Subscriptions2
  • Weekly Premium$4.997 Days
  • Yearly Premium3 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$39.99

Questions

Is Shadow Work App free?
Shadow Work App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shadow Work & CBT free?
Shadow Work & CBT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Shadow Work App or Shadow Work & CBT?
Shadow Work App is rated higher. Shadow Work App averages 4.4 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Shadow Work & CBT averages 3.2 from 11 ratings.
Do Shadow Work App or Shadow Work & CBT have ads?
Neither Shadow Work App nor Shadow Work & CBT shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Shadow Work App or Shadow Work & CBT?
Shadow Work App ships an update every 3 weeks, and Shadow Work & CBT every 2 months. Most recently, Shadow Work App was updated on September 18, 2026 and Shadow Work & CBT on August 24, 2026.

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