Comparison

Upgrade Soul vs Shifter UAR

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

Head to head
About

Upgrade Soul

Experience a critically acclaimed sci-fi graphic novel with an immersive digital format. Enjoy seamless navigation, interactive 3D effects, and a dynamic musical score that enhances the storytelling. Discover behind-the-scenes content and unlockable extras.

Highlights
  • Immersive digital graphic novel
  • Seamless navigation
  • Native multi-panel experience
  • Interactive 3D picture-box effects
  • Dynamic musical score
  • Behind the scenes extras
Features
Read full description

Revisit the most acclaimed sci-fi graphic novel of 2018 the way it was designed to be read! Originally conceived as an immersive digital comic, the print edition of Upgrade Soul (2018, Lion Forge), was named one of the best graphic novels of 2018 by Publishers Weekly, Paste, The Library Journal, Vulture, and more. Winner of the Dwayne McDuffie Award and nominated for Eisner, Harvey, Ringo, and Ignatz Awards, Upgrade Soul is an unforgettable story made even more unforgettable by the technology you hold in your hand. Written and illustrated by Ezra Claytan Daniels (BTTM FDRS), Upgrade Soul tells the story of Hank and Molly Nonnar, wealthy science buffs who decide to fund a risky, experimental therapy to rejuvenate the human body, with only one condition: that they be first in line to receive it. The uniquely immersive Upgrade Soul app complements the reading experience with: • Smooth, seamless navigation • Native multi-panel experience without awkward panning and zooming • Interactive 3D picture-box effects throughout • Dynamic score by acclaimed composer Alexis Gideon that you perform as you read • Great experience when mirrored to Apple TV • Behind the scenes extras and unlockable content coming soon Paste Magazine - #1 Graphic Novel of 2018 “Earth-shattering sci-fi. Every choice, every component of Upgrade Soul simply works.” Vulture - Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2018 “Masterfully crafted.” Publishers Weekly - Best Books of 2018 “Immersive, touching sci-fi.” Tor - Best Comics of 2018 “This is science fiction at its best.” Library Journal - Best Books of 2018 “A skillfully told, beautifully illustrated tale.” Visit the website: upgradesoul.com Get in touch on Twitter: @opertoon Or via email: info@opertoon.com

About

Shifter UAR

Read full description

NOTE: This app will only work if you download an image marker from ExperienceShifter.com or use the graphic novel Shifter. Experience the characters of Shifter through this ULTIMATE AUGMENTED REALITY™ app. Simply open the graphic novel, launch the app and point the camera at the pages and watch the magic unfold. Alternatively, visit ExperienceShifter.com to print out a marker and try without the book. Many different Shifter characters pop out at you with interactivity, animation and sound! Touch the arrow in the lower right corner to read the backstory on the character. Compatible with the iPhone 4 or later, iPod Touch (4th Gen) or later, and iPad 2 or later.

Screenshots

Upgrade Soul4 screens
Shifter UAR3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shifter UAR at none against Upgrade Soul's 9. Shifter UAR also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Upgrade Soul's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 7 months). On price, ads and device support 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. Upgrade Soul sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Shifter UAR asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Upgrade Soul ships an update every 6 weeks, Shifter UAR every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Upgrade Soul versus Shifter UAR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUpgrade SoulShifter UAR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (31 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews69.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings31 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size393 MB183 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperOpertoon LLCAnomaly Productions, Inc.

Bugs and requests

Upgrade Soul

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • App crashes on opening
  • Chapters fail to download or crash during download
  • Sound not working after update/purchase
  • 3D effects keep reappearing after being toggled off
  • App doesn't open on older devices (iPad v1, iPhone 3GS)
Show 3 more
  • App displays upside down
  • Flickering effects can be distracting or cause eye strain
  • App closes before content can be viewed

Requested features

7 requests
  • Continue development and release more chapters
  • Make chapters longer
  • Lower the price of chapters
  • Provide updates on release schedules
  • Fix the 3D effects or make them toggleable
Show 2 more
  • Improve download stability for chapters
  • Make the engine more user-friendly for non-programmers

Shifter UAR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Upgrade Soul

One-time9
  • Chapter 2$0.99
  • Chapter 3$0.99
  • Chapter 4$0.99
Show 6 more
  • Chapter 5$0.99
  • Chapter 6$0.99
  • Chapter 8$0.99
  • Chapter 9$0.99
  • Chapters 2-6$3.99
  • All Chapters$7.99
None

Shifter UAR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Upgrade Soul free?
Upgrade Soul is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shifter UAR free?
Shifter UAR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Upgrade Soul or Shifter UAR have ads?
Neither Upgrade Soul nor Shifter UAR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Upgrade Soul or Shifter UAR?
Upgrade Soul ships an update every 6 weeks, and Shifter UAR every 7 months. Most recently, Upgrade Soul was updated on November 1, 2026 and Shifter UAR on November 6, 2026.

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