Dnd Character Journal vs ShadowGen
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dnd Character Journal
This app helps Dungeons & Dragons 5e players manage their characters and campaign world. It offers tools for downtime activities, character development, and campaign documentation, with an optional premium upgrade for more features.
- Downtime activity completion
- Character backstory prompts
- Campaign world documentation
- Session note-taking
- In-session inspiration
- Share downtime results
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Dnd Character Journal allows 5e players to engage with their characters and the larger campaign world like never before! Using this app, you can: – Complete downtime activities such as searching for treasure, competing in an archery contest, or crafting your signature magic item. – Develop your character through backstory prompts and fun role-play questions. – Document the campaign and larger world using the organized journal area. – Write session recaps and impromptu notes. – Earn inspiration by completing tasks between each session. – Share the results of your downtime with your group and DM. All with the click of a button! Upgrade to the premium version (one-time purchase) for additional features and customization: – Unlimited character slots – Additional character token customization All completely offline! No ads, no signups, no hassle. Simple and easy to use. (Token art by Ben Chang, @BChangArt)
ShadowGen
This app generates fully-featured non-player characters for tabletop role-playing games. It provides unique images, skills, equipment, and backstories for various character archetypes, saving game masters time during sessions. Users can save and reuse generated characters across campaigns.
- Instant NPC generation
- Unique character images
- Skills and abilities
- Equipment and gear loadout
- Rich backstory and personality
- Save and reuse characters
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Spin up your crew, chummer The shadows don’t wait—and neither should you. ShadowGen is your go-to tool for generating fully fleshed-out NPCs for your Shadowrun games. Whether you’re a GM building encounters or a player looking for inspiration, ShadowGen delivers everything you need in seconds. Build your NPC your way Dial in the essentials: • Archetype • Metatype • Level • Gender Hit generate… and let the system do the heavy lifting. Fully loaded characters Every NPC comes ready for the streets: • Unique character image • Skills and abilities • Equipment and gear loadout • Rich backstory and personality From street samurai to deckers, mages to fixers—every chummer has a story. Ready for the run No more scrambling mid-session. ShadowGen gives you: • Instant NPCs for game sessions • Balanced characters based on level • Diverse builds and combinations • Endless replayability Perfect for game masters who need to improvise fast—or plan ahead. Save your crew Found a runner worth keeping? • Save NPCs directly in the app • Build your own roster of contacts, enemies, and allies • Reuse characters across campaigns Your network in the shadows, all in one place. Why ShadowGen? • Instant NPC generation • Deep, immersive character details • Built for Shadowrun gameplay • Saves time during sessions • Easy to use, powerful results Stay sharp, chummer The Sixth World is unpredictable. With ShadowGen, you’re always one step ahead. Jack in, generate, and run the shadows your way. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by the official Shadowrun publishers. This app does not replace the Shadowrun core rulebook or any other product.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Dnd Character Journal at Free against ShadowGen's $0.99. Dnd Character Journal also leads on ratings volume (11 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). ShadowGen's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 3 months). On rating, 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
Dnd Character Journal is free to download; ShadowGen costs $0.99 up front. Dnd Character Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ShadowGen asks for nothing beyond the download.
ShadowGen holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dnd Character Journal has 11 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Dnd Character Journal ships an update every 3 months, ShadowGen every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dnd Character Journal | ShadowGen |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (11 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 11 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 61 MB | 191 MB |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Michael Wu | Mini Leviathan |
Customer experience
Dnd Character Journal
ShadowGen
In-app purchases
Dnd Character Journal
- Premium Version$1.99
ShadowGen
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Dnd Character Journal free?
Is ShadowGen free?
Which has better reviews, Dnd Character Journal or ShadowGen?
Do Dnd Character Journal or ShadowGen have ads?
Which is updated more often, Dnd Character Journal or ShadowGen?
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