Protocol vs Elsewhere
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Protocol
This app generates refined ambient noise with a unique tactile and visual experience. It offers precise control over sound frequencies and features an elegant particle system that responds to touch, designed for focus, calm, and sleep.
- Ambient noise generation
- Touch-responsive particle system
- Precise frequency control
- Haptic feedback
- Background playback
- Media controls integration
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Protocol is a meticulously crafted ambient noise generator for those who appreciate refined design and sonic precision. Unlike typical white noise apps, Protocol delivers a unique tactile experience through an elegant particle system that responds to your touch. Key Features: - Sophisticated sound palette: Pure white noise, pink noise, and brown noise - seamlessly blended through intuitive touch control - Elegant particle visualization: Minimalist aesthetics with responsive particles that flow and spiral with your movements - Precise frequency control: Fine-tune the sonic character by simply moving your finger across the screen - Haptic feedback: Subtle vibrations provide sensory confirmation when crossing sound thresholds - Remembers your settings: Automatically restores your preferred sound settings between sessions - Works in background: Continue playback while using other apps or when your device is locked - Media controls integration: Control playback from your lock screen or headphones Designed for: - Deep focus during creative work - Meditation and mindfulness sessions - Masking distracting environmental sounds - Creating a calming atmosphere for sleep - Establishing a consistent audio environment for productivity Protocol is created for people who value both function and form. For those who understand that the tools we use should be as thoughtfully designed as they are effective. Download Protocol and experience sound as a system.
Elsewhere
Find relaxation and aid sleep with a curated collection of stories and soundscapes. Easily search for content matching your current mood or needs, and save your favorites for later.
- Sleep stories
- Relaxing soundscapes
- Mood-based content
- Easy search functionality
- Save favorite content
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There are moments you just need to relax, or need help drifting off to sleep. Elsewhere gives you stories and soundscapes made for exactly that, matched to what you actually need in the moment. What's inside: Stories spanning a range of moods and genres Soundscapes to relax, focus, or fall asleep to Easy search to find what fits your mood Save your favorites to revisit anytime Come here to relax. Stay to fall asleep.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: Elsewhere at free against Protocol's paid. Elsewhere also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). Protocol's advantage is ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Protocol against 5.0 for Elsewhere. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
Protocol ships an update every 2 months, Elsewhere every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Protocol | Elsewhere |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (4 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | hsla0001 | Tal Sheldon |
Customer experience
Protocol
Elsewhere
In-app purchases
Protocol
No in-app purchases
Elsewhere
No in-app purchases









