Comparison

Private Face Memo vs Cognitive Shuffle

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

Head to head
About

Private Face Memo

Features
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This app lets you record your facial changes over time without saving any photos to your camera roll. Perfect for those who want to track progress without worrying about privacy. Features: * Log face photos securely and privately * Watch your transformation with time-lapse-style playback * Compare before and after shots with ease * Photos stay in the app — not in your camera roll

About

Cognitive Shuffle

This app uses a cognitive technique to help you fall asleep faster by listening to random words. It creates simple images in your mind, breaking anxious thought loops and easing you into sleep. Designed for darkness with a pure black interface, it offers a unique approach to combatting insomnia.

Highlights
  • Cognitive shuffle technique
  • Random word visualization
  • Gentle whisper voice
  • Dark interface design
  • Multiple shuffle modes
  • Soundscape mixer
  • Guided breathing exercise
Features
Read full description

Stop counting sheep. Start shuffling words. Cognitive Shuffle uses the cognitive shuffle technique — also known as cognitive shuffling — a method developed by cognitive scientist Dr. Luc Beaudoin — to help you fall asleep faster. Instead of lying awake with racing thoughts, you listen to random, unrelated words whispered at a gentle pace. Your brain creates simple images for each word, naturally breaking anxious thought loops and easing you into sleep. HOW IT WORKS Tap play. A soothing voice whispers a random word every few seconds — "lighthouse… marble… penguin…" — and your mind drifts. Most people fall asleep before the timer ends. WHY IT WORKS When you can't sleep, your brain gets stuck in repetitive worry. The cognitive shuffle gives it just enough to do — visualizing simple, unrelated images — without the emotional charge that keeps you awake. It's like a lullaby for your thoughts. FREE FEATURES - Classic cognitive shuffle with 567 words - Gentle whisper voice - 15-minute sleep timer - Works in the background — set your phone down and listen PREMIUM FEATURES - 4 shuffle modes: classic, letter-based, themed, and silent (on-screen only) - Soundscape mixer: layer rain, white noise, brown noise, and ocean waves - 9 unique voice packs — from deep and calm to soft and story-like - Adjustable word pace to match your relaxation style - Customizable sleep timer (5 to 60 minutes) - Guided breathing exercise to prepare your body for sleep - Sleep insights and trends to track what works for you BETTER THAN SLEEP STORIES & MEDITATION Sleep stories engage your brain too much. Meditation requires practice. The cognitive shuffle is effortless — just listen and drift. It's the sleep aid that works from night one. DESIGNED FOR DARKNESS Pure black interface. No bright screens. No distractions. Just words and sleep. FOR ANYONE WHO: - Lies awake with a racing mind - Has tried white noise and sleep sounds but needs something different - Struggles with insomnia or anxiety at bedtime - Wants to fall asleep without medication Cognitive Shuffle Premium is available as a monthly ($3.99/mo) or annual ($24.99/yr) subscription with a 7-day free trial. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage subscriptions in your Apple ID account settings. This app offers auto-renewable subscriptions. Terms of Use (EULA) apply: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Private Face Memo4 screens
Cognitive Shuffle4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Private Face Memo at none against Cognitive Shuffle's 2. Private Face Memo also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). Cognitive Shuffle's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price 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

Both are free to download. Cognitive Shuffle sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Private Face Memo asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private Face Memo ships an update weekly, Cognitive Shuffle every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Private Face Memo versus Cognitive Shuffle: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate Face MemoCognitive Shuffle
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size36 MB106 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTAKUYA JIMBOMax Apps

In-app purchases

None

Private Face Memo

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Cognitive Shuffle

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Private Face Memo free?
Private Face Memo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cognitive Shuffle free?
Cognitive Shuffle is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Private Face Memo or Cognitive Shuffle have ads?
Private Face Memo shows ads; Cognitive Shuffle does not.
Which is updated more often, Private Face Memo or Cognitive Shuffle?
Private Face Memo ships an update weekly, and Cognitive Shuffle every 3 months. Most recently, Private Face Memo was updated on October 30, 2026 and Cognitive Shuffle on October 31, 2026.

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