Comparison

Subliminal vs Nova Stories

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

Nova Stories

Features
Read full description

Nova is a magical storytelling app that transforms your imagination into stories. Powered by AI, Nova serves as an enchanting story jukebox, crafting and narrating personalized tales tailored to each user, allowing children and parents to explore endless adventures together and boost their creativity.

Screenshots

Subliminal4 screens
Nova Stories4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Nova Stories at Free against Subliminal's $59.99. Nova Stories also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). Subliminal's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#200 vs unranked). On update cadence, 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

Nova Stories is free to download; Subliminal costs $59.99 up front. Nova Stories sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Subliminal asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Subliminal versus Nova Stories: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSubliminalNova Stories
Price$59.99Free — better
Rating4.9 (14 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings14 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 4 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#200 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size186 MB39 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperMarc KersteinURSOR LIMITED

In-app purchases

None

Subliminal

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Nova Stories

One-time1
  • Nova Story$0.99

Questions

Is Subliminal free?
Subliminal costs $59.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nova Stories free?
Nova Stories is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Subliminal or Nova Stories have ads?
Neither Subliminal nor Nova Stories shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Subliminal or Nova Stories?
Subliminal ships an update every 4 days, and Nova Stories every 4 days. Most recently, Subliminal was updated on September 12, 2026 and Nova Stories on September 19, 2026.

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