Comparison

NameForge vs The Goblin

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

Head to head
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.

About

The Goblin

Features
Read full description

Finder of Hidden Things The Goblin is a performance tool for mentalists, magicians, and experimental artists who work with hidden magnetic props. It allows you to sense when a magnetic object or an object containing a concealed magnet is moved near your phone. The app listens to changes in the phone’s built-in magnetic sensor and responds in real time with subtle haptics or vibration. This is not a proximity scanner, and it does not track people, objects, or locations. A magnet sitting still may produce little response. Movement creates change, and change is what the Goblin reacts to. Designed for live performance, the Goblin behaves more like a living creature than a simple meter. It learns the room’s background magnetism, filters environmental noise, and reacts only when something genuinely changes. This keeps behaviour stable in real-world venues such as theatres, bars, homes, and outdoor spaces. Features: • Magnetic movement sensing using the phone’s magnetometer • Adjustable Fog control to balance sensitivity and stability • Discreet haptic feedback or strong vibration modes • Stealth Mode for pocket and walk-around performance • Automatic noise filtering and room adaptation • Hands-free operation once configured Typical Uses: • Detecting movement of a concealed magnetic ring or coin • Performance cues for mentalism and magic routines • Creative exploration of magnetic motion The Goblin does not collect personal data and does not use the camera. All sensing happens locally on your phone.

Screenshots

NameForge4 screens
The Goblin1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: The Goblin at $49.99 against NameForge's $69.99. The Goblin also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6). NameForge's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads 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

NameForge costs $69.99 and The Goblin $49.99 up front. NameForge sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. The Goblin asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NameForge ships an update every 8 days, The Goblin monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
NameForge versus The Goblin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNameForgeThe Goblin
Price$69.99$49.99 — better
Rating4.5 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews90.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPaul Michael BrookLEWIS GARETH K LE VAL

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
None

The Goblin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NameForge free?
NameForge costs $69.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is The Goblin free?
The Goblin costs $49.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do NameForge or The Goblin have ads?
Neither NameForge nor The Goblin shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NameForge or The Goblin?
NameForge ships an update every 8 days, and The Goblin monthly. Most recently, NameForge was updated on October 9, 2026 and The Goblin on October 25, 2026.

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