Comparison

PhonoPaper vs Kinetic.FM

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

Kinetic.FM

Features
Read full description

Welcome to Kinetic.FM, your ultimate destination for electronic dance music. Broadcasting and podcasting from the heart of Nevada, we bring the energy of the world’s biggest EDM compositions straight to your pocket. Whether you're pre-gaming for a night out, hitting the gym, or just need the perfect soundtrack to get through your workday, Kinetic.FM delivers the anthems you know and love. We also offer an ambient music stream, for when you need to reset your brain! Standard Apple Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PhonoPaper1 screens
Kinetic.FM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PhonoPaper at none against Kinetic.FM's 5. PhonoPaper also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Kinetic.FM's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads 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. Kinetic.FM sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $5.00 per month. PhonoPaper asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PhonoPaper ships an update every 4 months, Kinetic.FM every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PhonoPaper versus Kinetic.FM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhonoPaperKinetic.FM
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (45 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews82.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings45 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlexander ZolotovRXDIO Nevada LLC

In-app purchases

None

PhonoPaper

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

Kinetic.FM

Subscriptions5
  • Level 5$5.001 Month
  • Level 10$10.001 Month
  • Level 20$20.001 Month
Show 2 more
  • Level 50$50.001 Month
  • Level 100$100.001 Month

Questions

Is PhonoPaper free?
PhonoPaper is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Kinetic.FM free?
Kinetic.FM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PhonoPaper or Kinetic.FM have ads?
Neither PhonoPaper nor Kinetic.FM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PhonoPaper or Kinetic.FM?
PhonoPaper ships an update every 4 months, and Kinetic.FM every 3 weeks. Most recently, PhonoPaper was updated on October 14, 2026 and Kinetic.FM on October 8, 2026.

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