Starla - Call the Universe

What it does

Starla is a modern astrology app that acts as a personal cosmic guide. It uses a user's birth information to generate detailed astrological charts and provides insights through various features. Users can ask questions via an AI chatbot, get tarot card readings, and even analyze their compatibility with friends and romantic partners.

Where it shines

The app's strength lies in its elegant presentation and immediate delivery of personalized value. The onboarding flow culminates in a slick reveal of the user's Sun, Moon, and Rising signs (01:15), creating an instant connection. The "Ask Me Anything" chat (02:16) cleverly uses suggested prompts to guide users, making the AI feel both accessible and intelligent. Furthermore, the 'People' feature (04:09) elevates the app beyond a simple horoscope tool into a social utility for understanding relationships.

UX highlights

Guided Chat: Instead of a daunting blank text box, the chat interface at 02:18 offers scrollable conversation starters. This lowers the barrier to engagement and subtly teaches the user what the AI is capable of.
Value-First Onboarding: The app calculates and reveals the user's core zodiac placements (01:15) before ever showing a paywall, establishing trust and demonstrating its value proposition early.
Mystical Aesthetic: A consistent black-and-white theme, serif fonts, and subtle animations create a premium, mysterious atmosphere that reinforces the app's brand.
Social Utility: The 'People' feature (04:09) allows users to input friends' birth data to check compatibility, adding a compelling social and retention layer.
Clear Feature Segmentation: The main dashboard at 02:12 clearly lays out the different features like 'Ask Me Anything' and 'Tarot Reading' in distinct cards, making navigation intuitive.
In-context Information: When adding a new person (04:22), the app asks for pronouns, showing an attention to inclusive design details.

Monetization & growth

Starla's primary monetization strategy is a premium subscription, 'Starla PRO'. The app presents a soft paywall at the end of onboarding (02:05) and also gates specific features like revealing a soulmate's full profile (03:28). The onboarding paywall cleverly uses social proof, displaying a high star rating and a user testimonial. It also breaks down the price to a weekly equivalent to make the cost seem lower. Growth tactics are woven into the onboarding with a well-timed 'How did you hear about us?' survey (01:08) and warm-up screens for rating (01:25) and tracking permissions (01:35).

Who it’s for

This app is designed for individuals interested in astrology, self-discovery, and understanding their relationships on a deeper level. Its target audience likely skews towards millennials and Gen Z who are comfortable with digital wellness tools and AI-driven experiences. The sleek, modern design suggests it's for users who appreciate a more sophisticated and less cartoonish approach to spirituality.

Notes & opportunities

While the core loop is strong, the 'Find your Soulmate' feature could create a more compelling hook. The compatibility score (03:23) is shown, but the final reveal is locked. Showing a blurred image or a few key traits of the matched soulmate before the paywall might increase conversion by making the locked content feel more tangible. Additionally, the process of adding a friend requires knowing their exact birth time and place, which can be a point of high friction; allowing for partial data or estimations could make the feature more accessible.