Comparison

Space QwArk vs Shadow Work Journal

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

Head to head
About

Space QwArk

Features
Read full description

Here's the thing about self-help: it's very hard to help yourself when you're the one who got you into this mess. So we hid it inside a story about a dirt farmer on Mars who gets told to build an enormous ark and save every living creature. He didn't apply. He isn't qualified. The raccoons have already started sabotaging the airlock. Space QwArk is a 40-day guided journal. Each day you open the app, read a short chapter, reflect on a prompt, do one small real-world task, and write in a private journal. A few minutes. Then you close it and go live your life. You can't skip ahead. The Moon won't allow it. While you're laughing at a goat delivering divine messages and an AI called Barry who's having an existential crisis, you forget to be afraid of the blank page. You write things down. You name the dream. You start building. Every day, you receive six things: A transmission from the Moon - a new chapter in the story Greg's Briefing - a reflection prompt, delivered with gentle anxiety The Building Task - one small, real thing to do today Norb's Note - encouragement from someone who genuinely thinks you're brilliant Builder's Tea - a quiet moment to breathe Your Journal - a private space to write what's actually true Why a story? Because your inner critic knows how to shut down a self-help book by page three. But it has no idea what to do with a telepathic mouse. While it's confused, you slip past it. No ads. No data collection. No social features. No streak counters making you feel guilty. Just a cup of tea and whatever's true today. Based on the novella by Tonzy Stone. 40 days. 40 cups of tea. One impossible Ark.

About

Shadow Work Journal

Explore hidden aspects of yourself through guided prompts and tools. Understand triggers, heal past wounds, and foster self-awareness. This private journal helps you gently uncover and integrate the parts of yourself you've kept in the dark.

Highlights
  • Guided journeys with 200+ prompts
  • Tools for processing charged moments
  • Core belief exploration
  • Parts work exercises
  • Daily mood and trigger tracking
  • Private insights and emotional timeline
  • Voice note recording
Features
Read full description

Meet the parts of yourself you've kept in the dark. Penumbra is a private, beautifully simple shadow work journal that helps you understand your triggers, heal old wounds, and come home to who you really are — one honest prompt at a time. Shadow work is the practice of exploring the hidden parts of yourself: the fears, patterns, and emotions you learned to push away. Bringing them into the light is how real, lasting change begins. Penumbra makes that work approachable, gentle, and yours alone. — GUIDED JOURNEYS — 19 themed paths with 200+ deep, therapist-style prompts: Meet Your Shadow, Inner Child, Self-Sabotage, Fear & Anxiety, Anger, Relationships, Self-Worth, Forgiveness, Boundaries, Grief, Shame, Mother & Father Wounds, Money Stories, Work & Purpose, Perfectionism, Jealousy, Attachment, Identity, and more. — GUIDED TOOLS — • Guided Session — process a charged moment, step by step • Core Belief Explorer — trace a limiting belief to its root • Parts Work — meet a part of yourself with curiosity (IFS-inspired) • Multi-day Courses — Meet Your Inner Critic, Reparenting, Self-Compassion — TRACK & SEE PATTERNS — • Daily check-in: mood, energy and anxiety in 10 seconds • Trigger tracker: capture what set you off and why • Shadow archetypes: notice the Inner Critic, People-Pleaser and more • Private insights, weekly review, emotional timeline & trends — all on-device, no AI — REFLECT YOUR WAY — • A fresh daily prompt and a streak to keep you coming back • Write or record a voice note; tag mood, emotions and archetypes • Dream journal and daily grounding affirmations — YOURS ALONE — Everything stays on your device. Lock your journal behind Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode. No accounts, no cloud, no one watching. — GENTLE & SAFE — Grounding exercises and crisis resources are one tap away. A soft, modern interface for dark and light mode, with a reminder you can set to any time. Meet your shadow. Reclaim your light. — PENUMBRA PRO — Unlock every guided journey and course, full insights, Face ID app lock, daily reminders, voice notes and export. Try Pro free for 3 days. • Yearly subscription with a 3-day free trial • Weekly subscription Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/allegrodigital/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://sites.google.com/view/allegrodigital/terms-of-use Penumbra is a self-reflection tool and is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical care. If you are in crisis, please reach out to a qualified professional or a local helpline.

Screenshots

Space QwArk4 screens
Shadow Work Journal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Space QwArk at none against Shadow Work Journal's 2. On price, ads, device support 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

Both are free to download. Shadow Work Journal sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Space QwArk asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
Space QwArk versus Shadow Work Journal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpace QwArkShadow Work Journal
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAntonia SjoestroemAllegro Digital

In-app purchases

None

Space QwArk

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Shadow Work Journal

Subscriptions2
  • Penumbra Pro$4.997 Days
  • Penumbra Pro3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Space QwArk free?
Space QwArk is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shadow Work Journal free?
Shadow Work Journal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Space QwArk or Shadow Work Journal have ads?
Neither Space QwArk nor Shadow Work Journal shows ads.

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