What it does
Stella is an AI-powered manifestation and mindfulness app. It aims to help users create their desired life by transforming their goals and feelings into personalized, immersive audio stories. The app also includes tools for tracking manifestations, daily gratitude journaling, and a swipe-based system for saving positive affirmations.
Where it shines
Stella stands out by making personalization an interactive, co-creative process. The onboarding is a masterclass in this, using a long, conversational quiz (00:39-03:59) to gather deep insights about the user's life. This data is then used to generate a unique 'Today's Moment' audio story (04:09). The real magic, however, happens when the user modifies this story with a simple text prompt (04:48), instantly creating a new, tailored experience. This turns passive listening into an active dialogue with the app's AI.
UX highlights
- Conversational Quiz: The onboarding quiz feels like a guided chat, making the process of sharing personal data feel natural and therapeutic.
- AI Content Modification: Users can rewrite their AI-generated stories with simple text prompts (04:48), offering deep, iterative personalization.
- Tinder for Affirmations: The affirmations feature (06:37) uses a familiar swipe-right-to-save mechanic, making it quick and engaging to build a collection of positive thoughts.
- Playlist Creation: Beyond the main story, users can create new playlists for specific manifestations (05:53), organizing their generated content around different life goals.
- Manifestation Wall: The app provides a dedicated space (07:12) to track manifested goals, with the option to add text and a photo, creating a visual record of success.
- Ambient Soundscapes: The audio player includes options to layer ambient sounds like a café (05:23), adding another layer of immersion to the listening experience.
Monetization & growth
Stella uses a hard paywall with a free trial, which users encounter at the end of the long onboarding quiz (04:11). The app does an excellent job of building user investment before the ask. It also uses a unique psychological framing, presenting a "Note from the team" that justifies the trial by citing "overwhelming demand," which creates a sense of exclusivity. An in-app rating prompt also appears very early (00:11), attempting to capture positive initial impressions.
Who it’s for
This app is designed for individuals interested in manifestation, mindfulness, and personal development. Its target user likely enjoys journaling, affirmations, and guided meditation but is looking for a more personalized, dynamic experience. The emphasis on creating a desired reality and the AI-driven storytelling appeal to those who are goal-oriented and open to new forms of digital wellness tools.
Notes & opportunities
The app's greatest strength, its deep personalization, is also a potential source of friction. The onboarding quiz is very long, which could lead to drop-off for users with less patience. While the conversational format helps, the sheer number of questions is a significant upfront investment. Additionally, the main dashboard could feel a bit static over time; introducing more dynamic elements or progress visualizations could enhance long-term engagement.