Comparison

Redirect vs NameForge

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

Head to head
About

Redirect

This app allows users to create custom short URLs for all their web links, acting as a single point of access. It integrates with device shortcuts to automatically redirect based on the magic app being used, simplifying link management for performers.

Highlights
  • Custom short URL creation
  • Automatic redirection with Shortcuts
  • NFC link scanning
  • Manual link entry
  • Open API for developer integration
  • Set and forget functionality
Read full description

Welcome to Redirect In magic there are so many magic apps that use web links, it can be quite difficult to have to remember them all. In 2021, Joshua Riley & Paul Longhurst released an app called Portal which allowed users to house links under one fake website, this was great but it meant it was another fake page that the spectator sees. This is why I created Redirect, this is a brand new app that allows you to create your own custom short url and this is one link to rule them all, forget having to remember any other link. With the power of Redirect & Shortcuts* you can have it setup to automatically set the correct redirect url based on what magic app you have open on your phone, it’s crazy right? It works with any web link that can be either scanned in via NFC or entered in manually and there will soon be an open API so that any developer can integrate directly into their magic apps Setup is very straightforward and should only take a few minutes at most, it’s simply set & forget, the app doesn’t need to be open at all, it’ll work all for you so you can focus on your presentation and gig * - This is available at launch but I'm hoping other magic app developers would directly integrate the open API into their apps so it can be fully automatic and much easier setting up.

About

NameForge

This tool transforms any word into a personalized acrostic for mentalism performances. It offers seamless input and output options, with optional pro features for enhanced routines and community sharing.

Highlights
  • Word to acrostic generation
  • Customizable input and output
  • Pro features via in-app purchases
  • Apple Watch integration
  • Voice and camera input
  • Community sharing of routines
Features
Read full description

NAMEFORGE - MODERN MENTALISM, FORGED TO PERFECTION Created by professional mentalist Paul Brook, NameForge is a cutting-edge mentalism tool that transforms a simple word into a powerful, personalised moment of mentalism. Take a name - typed, spoken*, or selected - and instantly generate a compelling acrostic, where the first letter of each line spells out the original word. It feels deeply personal to your participant, yet the method remains entirely invisible. Whether you’re performing on stage, close-up, or over video, NameForge delivers genuine impact - without giving away your secrets. CUSTOMISED INPUT AND OUTPUT, SEAMLESS DELIVERY Any word can be inputted into NameForge, which will then be turned into an acrostic - where the first letter of each word creates another word. After the acrostic is made, it can then be sent virtually anywhere you want, via the predefined outputs, or use the customisable outputs to send to somewhere specific. PRO FEATURES FOR WORKING PERFORMERS Enhance your routines with optional Pro features (In-App Purchases): • Apple Watch Peek – discreet reveals on your wrist • Voice Input – speak the word aloud to create the acrostic • Camera Input – show a written word to any of your phone's cameras to input it • Unforged Sending – send unformatted words to any integration • Search Result Output – make their phone show your prediction • Add More API Outputs – connect to more integrations COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SHARING Profiles and word lists can be shared between performers with ease, letting you explore and perform community-favourite routines in seconds. CONSTANTLY EVOLVING NameForge is packed with tools and always evolving - ready to help you create miracles, anywhere, anytime. *Voice Input requires the ‘Voice Input’ In-App purchase.

Screenshots

Redirect4 screens
NameForge4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Redirect at $24.99 against NameForge's $69.99. Redirect also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). NameForge's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly). On ratings volume, ads, monetization model 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

Redirect costs $24.99 and NameForge $69.99 up front. NameForge sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Redirect asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Redirect holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Redirect ships an update monthly, NameForge every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Redirect versus NameForge: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRedirectNameForge
Price$24.99 — better$69.99
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better4.5 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews
Number of ratings24 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoshua RileyPaul Michael Brook

Customer experience

Redirect

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

NameForge

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Redirect

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

NameForge

One-time6
  • Unforged Output$29.99
  • API Inputs$29.99
  • Watch Peek$49.99
Show 3 more
  • Voice Input$49.99
  • Camera Input$49.99
  • Search Result Output$49.99

Questions

Is Redirect free?
Redirect costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NameForge free?
NameForge costs $69.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Redirect or NameForge?
Redirect is rated higher. Redirect averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while NameForge averages 4.5 from 4 ratings.
Do Redirect or NameForge have ads?
Neither Redirect nor NameForge shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Redirect or NameForge?
Redirect ships an update monthly, and NameForge every 8 days. Most recently, Redirect was updated on September 20, 2026 and NameForge on September 7, 2026.

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