Comparison

Vanishing Inc. Magic app vs The Stranger

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

Head to head
About

Vanishing Inc. Magic app

Access a library of magic tutorials and ebooks on your mobile device. Learn magic anytime, anywhere with hours of instruction available at your fingertips. Browse and purchase exclusive magic downloads directly through the app.

Highlights
  • Watch online magic tutorials
  • Read magic ebooks
  • Browse and purchase downloads
  • Custom ebook reader
  • Access content on mobile
Features
Read full description

All the perks of Vanishing Inc...from your mobile device. Our app will let you watch all our online tutorials and read ebooks from the comfort of your pocket. Whether you’re in line at the post office or on break at work, you have hours of magic instruction at your fingertips. - Browse and purchase our exclusive range of downloads - Play all Vanishing Inc. downloads - Use our easy ebook reader to read our books Every single Vanishing Inc. download is now available direct from your iPad or iPhone. We've developed a custom, cutting-edge book viewer that is going to make you wish all magic books were published by Vanishing Inc. Magic.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Reveal chosen playing cards
  • Reveal thought-of words
  • Reveal numbers from addresses
  • Reveal names of loved ones
  • International language support
  • Customizable phone screen language
Features
Read full description

“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.

Screenshots

Vanishing Inc. Magic app2 screens
The Stranger4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The Stranger at 96% against Vanishing Inc. Magic app's 25%. The Stranger also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.4) and ratings volume (84 vs 26). Vanishing Inc. Magic app's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, 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. Vanishing Inc. Magic app sells 18 one-off in-app purchases and The Stranger sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

The Stranger holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 26 and 84 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Vanishing Inc. Magic app's written reviews are positive against 96% of The Stranger's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Vanishing Inc. Magic app ships an update every 3 weeks, The Stranger fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 21, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Vanishing Inc. Magic app versus The Stranger: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVanishing Inc. Magic appThe Stranger
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.4 (26 ratings)4.9 (84 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.5% of reviews95.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2684 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB246 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVanishing Inc. Magic LLCJonathan Levit Consulting

Customer experience

Vanishing Inc. Magic app

All ratings26 ratings
Positive30.8%
Neutral7.7%
Negative61.5%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive25.5%
Neutral7.3%
Negative67.3%

The Stranger

All ratings86 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive95.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.9%

Bugs and requests

Vanishing Inc. Magic app

Reported bugs

47 issues
  • Login button doesn't work
  • Sign up button doesn't work
  • App constantly crashes
  • App vanishes when trying to watch downloads
  • Small-sized PDFs still not working
Show 42 more
  • Most recent purchases haven't been showing up in library
  • Only about 1/3 of library is present after reinstalling
  • File names disappear from Download Queue page
  • App closes automatically after clicking performance
  • Crashes every time trying to play or download purchases
  • App has been neglected for a long time
  • Unable to download or watch
  • App won't launch, title screen appears and disappears
  • PDFs still crash
  • Downloads not available for purchase on the app, pages come up blank
  • App crashes when opening certain PDFs
  • App crashes when trying to open a download
  • App crashes on opening
  • Keyboard won't close on login screen, pressing 'Go' does nothing
  • App will not open after purchase
  • App errors out when clicking on a product for more info or to purchase
  • App crashes when buying a trick
  • Cannot download a single item
  • App does not work
  • Streaming hardly ever works
  • Attempts to download usually fail
  • Video needs to be reloaded every time to rewatch
  • App crashes all the time
  • App won't download items in library or free ebooks
  • Videos do not play after download
  • Previous downloaded videos will not play
  • Dark screen with 'video loading' message, no videos load
  • App is slow and clunky, stops frequently
  • Trick does not download after purchase
  • Cannot access storefront since last update
  • Menu buttons cover screen, impossible to navigate products
  • App does not work properly on iPhone 4s
  • Videos do not play
  • No stream/download option buttons on iPad
  • Lost previously downloaded content
  • Streaming audio only when selecting a video
  • Last update totally broke the app
  • No way to find, preview, or buy new releases
  • In-app buttons block everything
  • Huge menu on the middle of the screen, nothing else visible
  • App looks great but will not download
  • App is atrocious, worst performing app

Requested features

6 requests
  • Variable speed playback
  • 10 second forward/backward option
  • Chromecast support
  • Search feature or sort option
  • Ability to multi-task and download in background
Show 1 more
  • Bookmark feature for books

The Stranger

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

18 purchases

Vanishing Inc. Magic app

One-time18
  • Pure Imagination$9.99
  • The Art of Equivoque$9.99
  • Fingertip Muscle Pass$9.99
Show 15 more
  • Favorites - Giobbi on Vernon$9.99
  • Fantasy Triumph$9.99
  • Retention$9.99
  • In This Order$9.99
  • ESPidus Novus$12.00
  • Introduction to Watch Stealing$12.95
  • Thompson Change$14.95
  • David Williamson Live$14.99
  • Dave's Magical Mysteries Revealed$14.99
  • The Inevitable$14.99
  • NY Coin Magic Volume 2 (Copper/Silver)$14.99
  • The Memory Arts - Aronson Edition$24.99
  • Experience: The Magic of Jon Allen$29.99
  • Calabrese on Cards$29.99
  • Nuova Magia$39.95
15 purchases

The Stranger

Subscriptions4
  • 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 more
  • Live to Pro (1 year)$199.991 Year
One-time11
  • Recording: Poor Cell Reception$14.99
  • Recording: Memdeck$14.99
  • Nail Writer Revelation$49.99
Show 8 more
  • 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

Questions

Is Vanishing Inc. Magic app free?
Vanishing Inc. Magic app is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Stranger free?
The Stranger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Vanishing Inc. Magic app or The Stranger?
The Stranger is rated higher. Vanishing Inc. Magic app averages 2.4 out of 5 from 26 ratings, while The Stranger averages 4.9 from 84 ratings.
Do Vanishing Inc. Magic app or The Stranger have ads?
Neither Vanishing Inc. Magic app nor The Stranger shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Vanishing Inc. Magic app or The Stranger?
Vanishing Inc. Magic app ships an update every 3 weeks, and The Stranger fortnightly. Most recently, Vanishing Inc. Magic app was updated on October 21, 2026 and The Stranger on October 21, 2026.

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