Comparison

Shadow OS vs Folio

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

Head to head
About

Shadow OS

This app helps you understand your personal patterns by tracking your choices, habits, and daily signals. It provides weekly and monthly insights into what connects, repeats, and changes in your behavior, offering a data-driven approach to self-awareness without dictating actions.

Highlights
  • Track daily signals and check-ins
  • Analyze habits and timing
  • Receive weekly and monthly reads
  • Explore Jung-inspired archetypes
  • Compare baseline to actual choices
  • View evidence behind insights
Features
Read full description

Shadow OS is a personal growth app built around the decisions you actually make. Instead of asking only who you think you are, Shadow OS helps you see how you choose in real life — what you were feeling, what mattered, what you intended to do, what you actually did, and what happened next. If you use manifestation, visualization, or future-self work to clarify the life you want, Shadow OS helps you see whether your real choices are moving in that direction. Your goals describe the life you want. Your choices reveal the life you are building. PERSPECTIVE BEFORE THE CHOICE When something is on your mind, ask Shadow OS for another perspective. The Book of Changes offers a symbolic lens that can help you see the situation differently. The Signal does not make the decision for you. You decide what to do with it — and your reaction to that perspective can reveal something about you, too. A RECORD OF REAL CHOICES Save the decisions that matter, from relationships and career questions to everyday moments. Record your state, your intention, and the action you plan to take. Then return later to capture what you actually did and what happened. Recording your decisions is free and unlimited. SEE YOURSELF OVER TIME One choice can be hard to interpret. A record of real choices can reveal more. Look Backs help you compare intention with reality. Weekly and monthly readings bring your decisions together so you can notice what keeps repeating, what is changing, and how your state may relate to the way you choose. START WITH HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF Your Decision Archetype gives you a starting view of how you believe you choose. Over time, your real decisions give you something to compare it with. Shadow OS is not here to tell you who you are. It gives you perspective before the choice and evidence after it, so you can see yourself more clearly as you grow. FREE & MEMBERSHIP Recording your decisions is free and unlimited. Free access includes one Ask each day. Shadow OS Membership unlocks unlimited Ask and deeper ways to understand your record over time. Perspective from symbols. Growth through choices. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Folio

Features
Read full description

Folio helps you break free from phone addiction by temporarily blocking your most distracting apps so you can focus on the present. Instead of doomscrolling, the app encourages you to use your reclaimed screen time to reflect on your day and build a healthy journaling habit. Take back control of your attention and turn idle moments into meaningful self-discovery.

Screenshots

Shadow OS4 screens
Folio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Shadow OS at none against Folio's shown. Shadow OS also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26.2). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. Shadow OS sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Folio sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Shadow OS ships an update every 6 days, Folio every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Shadow OS versus Folio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShadow OSFolio
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysEvery 5 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPhonix & Aura LLCRhys Dominguez

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Shadow OS

Subscriptions2
  • Shadow OS Premium$9.991 Month
  • Shadow OS Annual7 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time1
  • Shadow OS Lifetime$129.00
2 purchases

Folio

Subscriptions2
  • Folio Weekly Plan$9.997 Days
  • Folio Yearly Plan3 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Shadow OS free?
Shadow OS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Folio free?
Folio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Shadow OS or Folio have ads?
Folio shows ads; Shadow OS does not.
Which is updated more often, Shadow OS or Folio?
Shadow OS ships an update every 6 days, and Folio every 5 days. Most recently, Shadow OS was updated on October 6, 2026 and Folio on September 24, 2026.

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