Comparison

Sleep Words for Overthinking vs Kotonemu

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

Head to head
About

Sleep Words for Overthinking

Features
Read full description

Sleep Words for Overthinking is an audio-first sleep support app for people who tend to overthink at night. Just listen to the words as they play, and picture each one softly. The app is designed to help you take a little distance from looping thoughts and spend the time before sleep more calmly. Because the experience is mainly audio-based, you do not need to keep looking at your phone. It is simple and easy to start, even if meditation apps have felt difficult for you. How to use it: 1. Start a session 2. Gently picture each word as it plays 3. When you feel sleepy, simply let yourself rest You can also adjust the voice, speaking style, playback speed, session duration, word interval, and BGM. Main features: ・Automatic word audio playback ・Voice selection ・Speaking style selection ・Playback speed selection ・Session duration settings ・Word interval settings ・BGM settings ・Separate volume controls for word audio and BGM ・Favorites ・Word blocking settings ・Audio playback while the screen is locked Some features are available with Premium. Premium unlocks more words, voices, BGM, favorites, and expanded word blocking settings. Recommended for nights when: ・Your thoughts keep going after getting into bed ・You do not want to keep looking at your screen before sleep ・You want calm audio to help settle your mind ・You want something simple with minimal setup ・You wake up during the night and want a gentle way to rest again This app is inspired by the idea of Cognitive Shuffle / Serial Diverse Imagining. It is intended as a general sleep, rest, and relaxation support app. It is not intended for medical diagnosis, treatment, or prevention. If you have concerns about your sleep or health, please consult a medical professional. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://sites.google.com/view/hitsujiga0hiki-privacy-policy/

About

Kotonemu

Features
Read full description

For nights when your thoughts will not stop. Kotonemu reads out unrelated words, one at a time, in a gentle voice. Apple. Umbrella. Mailbox. While you picture words that have nothing to do with each other, your brain cannot keep a chain of reasoning going. As that effort loosens, sleep arrives on its own. It is a direct implementation of the method known as cognitive shuffle. WHAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT - A different order every night. 600 words, chosen so that related ones never follow each other. No two words from the same category, and no two starting with the same sound. You will not learn the sequence. - It fades as it goes. Volume, the gap between words, and the reading speed all ease off over the session, so it keeps reaching you if you are still awake without waking you once you are not. BUILT NOT TO DISTURB - No ads. Nothing interrupts you. - No network. It works in airplane mode. - The screen dims by itself, and you can hide the words entirely. - Optional rain or ocean underneath. THE VOICE All 600 words were recorded by a voice actor. Nothing is synthesised. PRICING The app is free. All 600 words and the 10, 15 and 30 minute sessions stay free forever. For seven days you can also use every session length. After that, a single payment unlocks the 60 minute, 90 minute and unlimited sessions if you want them. There is no subscription. This app is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose or treat insomnia. If sleeplessness persists, please consult a doctor. LINKS Support https://kotonemu.glspace.co.jp/support.html Privacy Policy https://kotonemu.glspace.co.jp/privacy.html Terms of Use https://kotonemu.glspace.co.jp/terms.html

Screenshots

Sleep Words for Overthinking4 screens
Kotonemu4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Sleep Words for Overthinking at every 10 days against Kotonemu's every 5 weeks. Sleep Words for Overthinking also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, ads, 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. Sleep Words for Overthinking sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per month and Kotonemu sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sleep Words for Overthinking ships an update every 10 days, Kotonemu every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 9, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Sleep Words for Overthinking versus Kotonemu: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSleep Words for OverthinkingKotonemu
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size461 MB38 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKengo ShimizuGYOU GI

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Sleep Words for Overthinking

Subscriptions1
  • Premium7 Days trial$4.991 Month
2 purchases

Kotonemu

One-time2
  • At Your Ear$12.99
  • All Night$12.99

Questions

Is Sleep Words for Overthinking free?
Sleep Words for Overthinking is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Kotonemu free?
Kotonemu is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Sleep Words for Overthinking or Kotonemu have ads?
Neither Sleep Words for Overthinking nor Kotonemu shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sleep Words for Overthinking or Kotonemu?
Sleep Words for Overthinking ships an update every 10 days, and Kotonemu every 5 weeks. Most recently, Sleep Words for Overthinking was updated on November 9, 2026 and Kotonemu on November 11, 2026.

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