Comparison

PhonoPaper vs ShadowPlayKA

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

Head to head
About

PhonoPaper

This app decodes images containing encoded sound, allowing you to play back audio embedded within visual patterns. You can also record your own sounds and convert them into these unique visual codes. It's designed for creative audio messaging and artistic expression.

Highlights
  • Decode images with encoded sound
  • Create sound codes from recordings
  • Offline decoding capability
  • Analogue code for distortion resilience
  • Real-time, hand-controlled playback
  • Draw codes for unique sounds
Features
Read full description

PhonoPaper is a camera app for playing pictures with encoded sound (PhonoPaper-codes). With this app, you can also create your own codes: 10 seconds of sound can be recorded from a microphone and converted into an image. [ Key features ] * PhonoPaper does not require access to the network for decoding; * PhonoPaper code is analogue, so it is not so sensitive to different types of the image distortion (bad camera, dark picture, wrinkled paper, etc.); at least you will hear the "silhouette" of the original sound; * code can be played in real-time with hand-controlled speed and direction; * code can be drawn by hand to get some unusual sounds. [ Examples of usage ] * voice messages (or pieces of music) on t-shirts, billboards, posters, postcards, goods; * audio labels for phonorecords; * audio examples in books; * secret messages; * art-experiments. [ How to use ] Launch the app, point the camera at the code (tap on the screen to focus if necessary) and smoothly scan the picture from left to right. The code should be parallel to the frame - try to keep the camera level. The black code markers (top and bottom) should fall entirely into the frame. If the application recognizes code markers, you will hear a sound. If you are unable to play the code smoothly, press the record button on the right side of the screen, this will enable automatic scanning.

About

ShadowPlayKA

This app transforms light and shadow patterns into music as you cycle through outdoor spaces. It uses your smartphone's brightness sensor and a Bluetooth speaker to create a unique auditory experience based on your surroundings.

Highlights
  • Light and shadow as musical score
  • Bicycle-mounted smartphone sensor
  • Bluetooth speaker integration
  • Exploration of urban architecture
  • Unique soundscape generation
Read full description

ShadowPlay is an exploration of the architecture and light in outdoor spaces through sound. Using a bicycle-mounted smartphone as a brightness sensor and a bluetooth speaker, the mottled patterns of light and shadow become the musical score as one rides along city streets. Supported through the UNESCO City of Media Arts Karlsruhe as well as through the City of Karlsruhe. Scene contributions by Sofy Yuditskaya and Damian Stewart.

Screenshots

PhonoPaper1 screens
ShadowPlayKA4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ShadowPlayKA at 5.0 against PhonoPaper's 4.6. PhonoPaper's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 25 months) and ratings volume (45 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ShadowPlayKA holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PhonoPaper has 45 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PhonoPaper ships an update every 4 months, ShadowPlayKA every 25 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PhonoPaper versus ShadowPlayKA: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhonoPaperShadowPlayKA
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (45 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews82.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings45 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 25 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander ZolotovDaniel Wilcox

Customer experience

PhonoPaper

All ratings45 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral4.4%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews75 reviews
Positive82.7%
Neutral2.7%
Negative14.7%

ShadowPlayKA

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

PhonoPaper

No in-app purchases

None

ShadowPlayKA

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PhonoPaper free?
PhonoPaper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ShadowPlayKA free?
ShadowPlayKA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PhonoPaper or ShadowPlayKA?
ShadowPlayKA is rated higher. PhonoPaper averages 4.6 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while ShadowPlayKA averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do PhonoPaper or ShadowPlayKA have ads?
Neither PhonoPaper nor ShadowPlayKA shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PhonoPaper or ShadowPlayKA?
PhonoPaper ships an update every 4 months, and ShadowPlayKA every 25 months. Most recently, PhonoPaper was updated on October 10, 2026 and ShadowPlayKA on September 29, 2026.

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