Comparison

Subliminal vs Magic Cue

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

Head to head
About

Subliminal

Generate AI-powered images that creatively reveal a spectator's thought-of word. This tool integrates with existing magic effects to provide a unique visual reveal, leaving a memorable keepsake.

Highlights
  • AI-generated hidden text images
  • Photo grid reveal
  • Single image modes
  • Stretched and upside-down image reveals
  • Multiple input methods (gyro, voice, notes, web)
  • Integration with magic apps and APIs
  • URL triggers for automation
Read full description

Magicians already have a bunch of ways to peek or force a word: From analogue methods like a Center Tear, to something more modern, such as WikiTest or DFB X. But what magicians *don't* have are many interesting ways to reveal that word. This is why I created Subliminal: Subliminal uses AI generated imagery to reveal a spectator's thought, hidden in a photo that they were looking at *the entire time*! ** Here's an example of one effect possible with Subliminal: - To begin, you show your spectator a photo on your phone. - You zoom in on the photo, before leaving your phone on the table and you never touch it again. - The spectator is asked to name a word. - You then ask the spectator to zoom out of the image, where they now realise that the word they named has been seemingly hidden within the photo the entire time. ** Subliminal also works perfectly with your existing effects! Let's say you've performed an effect (perhaps you’ve peeked a word) and have learned the spectator's thought-of word. Rather than just telling your spectator their thought, Subliminal lets you reveal this thought creatively! It's perfect in conjunction with existing analogue and digital effects, from a Center Tear peek to DFB. Features: * Photo Grid You show the spectator some photos in the Photos app on your phone. As you slowly zoom out, the photos turn into letters, which reveal the spectator's thought! * Single Image Modes Reveal the spectator's thought of word within a photo of dogs, windows on a street, the tops of mountains, and more! * Stretched Images Stretched image modes further disguise the reveal until the spectator looks at the screen at an angle, for a fun reveal. * Upside down stretched images Flip the phone upside down to see the hidden word. ** Multiple input methods are included, enabling multiple effects: - Gyro input - for precision typing. - Voice input - with voice peek. - Earworm Notes - a realistic notes app input. - Earworm Web Search - use covert web search input with Subliminal. - WikiTest integration - have the spectator’s Wikipedia search automatically update the image. - Bridge integration - for use with many other apps and AI text inputs. - Open API - for third party integrations. - URL triggers - use Shortcuts to change your iPhone's wallpaper, and more! As well as native WikiTest, Earworm and Bridge integration, Subliminal also supports your favourite magic app’s API. Plus, Subliminal can even be triggered via a URL, meaning Shortcuts can tie in with the app to change your iPhone’s wallpaper, and more! Subliminal currently supports any words or phrases that use the characters A-Z, spaces, and numbers 0-9. At the conclusion of the effect performed with Subliminal, you can even share the photo with the word to your spectator, leaving them with the memory of the effect on their phone! No extra hidden costs, purchases or subscriptions - Subliminal is all you need to generate your own hidden text AI images!

About

Magic Cue

This app provides comprehensive show control for performers, allowing them to program and visualize audio, video, and camera elements. It integrates seamlessly with smart buttons for easy triggering of custom commands and supports both wired and wireless setups for flexible performance environments.

Highlights
  • Show programming with audio, video, and camera
  • Integration with Flic Smart Buttons
  • Long-range Bluetooth connectivity
  • Wired and wireless setup options
  • Import/export show elements
  • Visual show programming
Features
Read full description

Magic Cue is the official companion app to the Magic Cue hardware product. Magic Cue is the revolutionary show control technology designed for performers by performers powered by the iQ Pro engine. - You Control the Show Magic Cue puts the power in your hands with an easy-to-use interface suitable for beginners and advanced features for professionals. Visualise and program your entire show with audio, video, and camera capabilities on the go. - Seamless Integration with Flic Buttons Experience unmatched control with Flic Smart Buttons, known for their stability and security. These lightweight, tactile buttons integrate directly with Magic Cue, allowing you to trigger custom commands from anywhere on stage. - Reliable and Long-Range Bluetooth Enjoy reliable Bluetooth connectivity with a range of up to 200 meters outdoors and 50 meters indoors. Perform without worrying about connection issues. - Wired or Wireless Setup Magic Cue supports both wired HDMI connections and wireless streaming via Apple TV, ensuring you stay in control regardless of your setup. - Effortlessly Import and Export your Show Import your own videos, music, and images, or download from the cloud. Share and backup your shows easily, accessible anytime, anywhere. Transform your performances with Magic Cue, the ultimate show control app. Download the app now and take full control of your show, wherever you go.

Screenshots

Subliminal4 screens
Magic Cue3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Subliminal at 78% against Magic Cue's 0%. Subliminal also leads on rating (4.9 vs 1.0) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months). Magic Cue's advantage is price (Free vs $59.99) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

Magic Cue is free to download; Subliminal costs $59.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Subliminal holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Subliminal has 14 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Subliminal's written reviews are positive against 0% of Magic Cue's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Subliminal ships an update every 4 days, Magic Cue every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Subliminal versus Magic Cue: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSubliminalMagic Cue
Price$59.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (14 ratings) — better1.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings14 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.416.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size186 MB114 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarc KersteinVanishing Inc. Magic LLC

Customer experience

Subliminal

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive77.8%
Neutral11.1%
Negative11.1%

Magic Cue

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Subliminal

No in-app purchases

None

Magic Cue

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Subliminal free?
Subliminal costs $59.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Magic Cue free?
Magic Cue is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Subliminal or Magic Cue?
Subliminal is rated higher. Subliminal averages 4.9 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Magic Cue averages 1.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Subliminal or Magic Cue have ads?
Neither Subliminal nor Magic Cue shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Subliminal or Magic Cue?
Subliminal ships an update every 4 days, and Magic Cue every 4 months. Most recently, Subliminal was updated on October 24, 2026 and Magic Cue on October 24, 2026.

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