Portal - Escape Into Nature Reviews

by Itsjewlian

So I paid I believe 5.99 for the premium version of Portal maybe a year or so ago. It was well worth it at the time. After being dormant for a while, I opened it back up to listen while reading and noticed there’s now a subscription. Now, I’m always instantly disappointed with apps with subscriptions. I automatically see it as a way to milk your customers and it seems like Portals no different. Even after paying $6, I’m still locked out of over 50% of what Portal offers. I know subscriptions aren’t going away anytime soon, but if you can find something else on the AppStore that has a consumer friendly business model, then I would go with that and pass on this app.

If you’re fine with subscriptions, then I would recommend you still pass. At $40/year, it just doesn’t seem worth it for the amount of content and options you get.

Really is a bummer, I had high hopes for this one.

by Lawrenceperez7676

The sounds are really awesome in Portal, good job. Also good job for implementing airplay support to HomePods at Cetera, that just makes things sound a lot more realistic. I like that when you open Portal , Portal plays the last sound you were listening to, no need to select from a list. I also like the background activity, and the mix with other apps feature, because I can listen to audio books or meditations from another app while listening to Portal as well.

The only thing I would ask for is better VoiceOver support. I am able to navigate through the list of sounds, and figure out basic things in Portal , but I can't use other features like the timer, the breathing exercises you provided in Portal , and the sleep alarm function. Other than that, good app for listening to relaxing sounds while I am listening to a book, or other meditations, etc.

by Sumzys

I don’t listen to my music loud so I usually have it on the lowest setting, and even when I have the sound on Portal turned up all the way I’m am still not able to hear these wonderful sounds. Wish the volume slider was higher on this or have the sounds louder in general. Also, if there was just regular white noise that would be AMAZING!!
Edit: i like that the developer takes suggestions and responds to reviews, good customer service. But if i raise my volume my music will be too loud and if i keep it where it is it wont be loud enough :( The balance is off. I decided to give them another star. I REALLY enjoy that you can listen too “white noise” in the background while SIMULTANEOUSLY listening to something else. I have yet to find another FREE app that does a better job of this. The “white noise” also pairs really well with noise cancellation. Props to you guys. A few minor problems

by Orangetoday

I’m in love with Portal Endel but I recently wanted to try something else so I don’t get sick of it. I just started listening to this app today and I’m in love. The sounds are crisp, quiet enough to not be distracting but loud enough to be immersive, and just overall incredibly calming. I hate ‘focus’ music that has a beat or has any kind of high energy, but I also struggle with finding calming background noise that doesn’t eat up more brain space than the thing I’m actually trying to do. It’s a very tricky balance but I think I’ve managed to find two reliable resources for calming background noises.

Bonus: so far there have been no in-app purchases or locked premium content, which is a nice break. :)

by Mthale

There’s many ways to use Portal: meditation; focus while working/studying; sleep; ambience; travel voyeurism. I have been using it while meditating and working, and it has been helping me to stop multi-tasking so much. Just do one thing and do it well. The this app team seems have taken this to heart in the design of the application. Every part of Portal appears lovingly thought-out. The landscapes are beautiful and are in unique destinations that inspire me to travel, but also to appreciate my own surroundings. Much of the audio is very rich, but with support for spatial audio reportedly coming, Portal is going to be even better! So excited for what the team has in store for us in the future…

by Cerazo

I originally was overjoyed to come across an app that I loved that actually had a one time payment fee. The design and elegance of Portal along with the amazingly rendered sounds and visuals sold me instantly! It’s been an incredible experience sleeping and working to these sounds. Today I open my app to realize that there’s been an update and a huge one at that! Portal that I already love just blew me out of the water again! I’m guessing since I was one of the original purchasers I got the whole new library of sounds for free as there is a subscription model now. I went through each new sound seeing which ones I wanted to pick to download and by the end of it I pretty much downloaded all of them because they were so good! To anyone reading this, this is easily worth the price of subscription at this point since it seems like there’s going to be more and more sounds that are going to be put out.

In summary keep up the great work and I really appreciate the team taking care of their original customers instead of pushing them out like some other apps that transition to subscriptions have done. Also was this a one time promotion for original purchasers or would I be a lifetime subscriber? If it’s the latter then I’m going to be incredibly happy 😆.

by Agg-

I’m always looking for apps that will help me to relax and which provide supportive and soothing background environments. One day I came across this app. Right away, I noticed the excellent content. But what really caught my attention was the obvious and very deep quality that went into the design and creation of this application. That quality made it such a pleasure to use and intensified the experience of the outstanding content. At one point, I contacted support with some questions. The sincerity and supportiveness of their responses has been equal to the quality I experienced in Portal itself. It has been such a pleasure to use Portal and to interact with the people behind it. I purchased the application. I use it every day. I very much enjoy using this app.

by Santacruzin

I’ve been getting stressed more lately (who hasn’t, with COVID-19?), and thankfully found Portal to help. The sounds are outstanding—it really feels like you’re there! I find the Umpqua River sound to be the best for relaxing me, but others are great too. The visuals are excellent as well, but I find that just playing the sound through earbuds is a great way to keep me calm and relaxed. Portal has greatly reduced my stress level and increased my productivity and, no, the developer didn’t ask me to say that.

I happily paid the one-time fee for Portal a few months ago—very much worth it. It’s such a good app that I’ve recommended it to mental health professionals to mention to their clients as a way to relieve stress and anxiety. This is one of the most used apps on my iPhone and iPad, and I can’t thank the developer enough!

by Left0verture

this app was great even BEFORE they added Homekit immersive lighting… Try it! Route the audio to your HomePods (or better yet, your AirPods), connect your HomeKit lights, pick an environment, set the volume to a comfortable level and go about your work, reading, relaxing, meditating, sleep or whatever. Before you know it, you’ll forget that you’re sitting in your office. If you need some kind of sound mask to let you sleep, they have that covered too - set the time you want to be awakened and your lights will gently fade on over time (you can choose how gradually and use an audio alarm when it’s time to start your day if you need it.) Great UI, high quality sound and visuals, thoughtful design, many environments and regular updates. Come on, give it a try… whaddya have to lose? Here’s hoping they add a version for Apple TV down the road as well…!

by YaMom-69-420

I love Portals, it's everything you could want in an ambient sounds app! It's easy to use and beautiful in every way! The soundscapes are very rich and immersive, and the almost still photography is simply gorgeous. With the full version, you get a nice mix of environments and sound elements. I have several favorites, so sometimes it's hard to decide which to use. Portal may fuel wanderlust, so be warned!

Even though the free version is plenty sufficient in terms of quality, it's 1000% worth it to upgrade to the full sound library. Considering the handy features and number of high-quality sound portals you get in the full version, $5.99 is exceptionally affordable. I really appreciate that this isn't a subscription-based service; why not get the full version and support some amazing developers?

Note: Some people here are confused about the 3 modes (focus, sleep, escape) within the full version. By choosing one of these modes, you're selecting a more specific method for interacting with Portal . Focus mode has a focus timer and checklist, Sleep has a sleep timer and alarm clock, and Escape has breathing exercises. The sound portals you have access to are the same regardless of what mode you're in.

In summary, Portals is amazing and an absolute gem!!

by V713321

LOVING Portal. I love that it was a one time purchase for DLC rather than subscription. Seriously thank you. i wouldn’t have been able to pull the trigger for a subscription but happy to buy DLC. The sound is exquisite and the video footage is gorgeous without obvious loops. The feature that got me the most excited and convinced me to buy the full version of Portal was the ability to mix it with audiobooks and other apps. I’ve been looking for a way to add background sound to my Audible app when i listen to audiobooks for forever! Now this is my absolute Go-To for ambient sound. I leave my ipad by my bed with the ocean soundscape running while i fall asleep and i’m out. A great feature to add would be the ability to airplay it to an apple TV. Right now you can mirror your screen to the TV like you would with any other app but there’s not a built in casting feature. Still that’s just a wish list item for me. Portal was made with love and care and special attention to a LOT of handy above and beyond features. It’s not a money grab and is excellent value for what you get. I hope the devs keep up the great work. Can’t wait to see what new environments come next! Maybe an urban setting or a coffee shop? Or maybe more beautiful locations from around the globe. FIVE STARS.

by Brockettmac

This is by FAR the Best app for focus and sleep. I use this on a daily basis. It has helped me tremendously while working long hours at work. If I had one tiny detail I would love to see added, it would be the capability to control volume of Portal and my music separately. I often have the thunderstorms playing in the background of my music, but when my music is too loud and I would rather hear more of the rain, it turns down both sounds. I would love nothing more than the ability to turn my music down and my soundscape up separately. Like I said, it’s the best in its class, I have yet to find anything that compares, but this simple addition would make it even better! Special thanks to your team for all of your hard work on something that helps change lives! Keep it up!

Would LOVE if you could add a lot more different Rain Sounds!!

by D I Ck

this app is a seamless app that allows you to escape from daily stress or pressure. The sound selection that is in Portal is flawless and surround so you really feel like you enter another environment. I recommend using sound canceling headphones while using this app to really escape. One of my favorite features is the fact that it syncs with hue lights, this allows you to really feel the environment you choose. Portal gets a well deserved five stars from me although in the future I would love to see light syncing allow for more than just one color. Possibly “picking” colors from the selected this app and randomly displaying them across your hue lights.

I also bought the pro version before it was switched to a subscription service and after they released a big update I was able to get all the new content for free! Thanks a lot people at this app! I’m really excited to see what comes next!

by Jasli

I rarely leave a review on an app unless I feel the need to state how amazing it is and this one is just that. I love all the features without it being convoluted. Portal itself has a beautiful layout that makes it easy to navigate. One aspect I really enjoyed was the breathing exercise. Originally I downloaded this for the sounds which can help me find calm as I’m falling asleep or when I’m relaxing reading a book, but the fact that it had a breathing exercise in addition to that was a nice feature. I feel most apps either have one thing I need and missing the other when it comes to calm and relaxation. I don’t feel calm or relaxed by listening to voices compared to many other apps out there for similar techniques. It might works on others but my overactive mind focuses too much on the words that it doesn’t really calm me at all. Portal however does a better job for me personally and I absolutely love it.

by Khbmiyg

Portal is amazing. Some background: I am ADHD and so I can always find distractions even when there aren’t any. I once caught myself admiring a table instead of reading my textbook. My way to minimize this had been music, but I hadn’t found ambiance that wasn’t distracting and lasted for a while. this app fixes both of these problems. Especially once you open up the full library, the sounds it provides are amazing and perfect for helping you focus or escape. All of it’s sounds are amazing and I’ve gotten a real boost in efficiency thanks to Portal . My only wish is for more sounds. The 14 they provide are all very effective and neat, but I’m very tempted to ask for more. For instance: they provide mainly nature sounds form around the world. Maybe one or two city (I’m a suburb boy) soundscapes would be interesting. Also, maybe another synthesized sound scape like the whale or jellyfish would be nice. But I absolutely love Portal and I recommend it much more than the others that charge a subscription fee

by LCLMomma1392

Updated review:
I just wanted to update review since last app update and say again, it was refreshing to see an app devoloper stay consitent, although they switched to a subscription model they did add a way to pay a 1 time fee, and although its more then the $4, still compared to other apps $30 for lifetime is far more reasonable. But most important thing to note is they allowed the users who previously paid the $4 to buy Portal to keep the full version along with all the updates, so when you purchase from this devoloper you can be assured you will keep what you paid for regardless of any future changes in the pricing model, and that is hard thing to come by now a days in the apple world, so thankyou!

Suggestions: I also would love to see some more light autumn/forest sounds, maybe without birds (or at least light bird sound in distance and spread out a bit) in future, there are lots of water ones wich are great but more like the barley field one (wich is PERFECTLY done!) I would love!

by Alicequeen2309

I’ve always play background sounds and music wherever I work or study but it never relaxing enough. They just sound like noises at the back of my head and I would have to turn them off. After a few time using Portal, I decided to purchase the full version and it was the very best decision ever since. It really helps me reduce stress and relax my mind, especially when everything is virtual and you have to look at a computer for a long time. After playing the sound collection for a while, I completely forgot that I turn it on, only realize that when I have to leave the room. I don’t know how you feel but to me that’s the reason why I feel the need to leave a review. It is so natural and relaxing that you don’t even realize it’s there. It was a nice little surprise to see that I have access to all the new contents after the update, so thanks developers for doing that to old customers.

I would love see an enhancement in the breathing exercise module. I tend to close my eyes doing breathing exercise so if Portal somehow have a way to indicate breath in/out by sound, that would be awesome!

by Katmariexo

I just downloaded Portal, and I am so happy that I did. I’ve been looking for a decent app that plays sound like this for awhile. It helps me to sleep or really focus when I am studying. Some of the other apps just haven’t done it for me, and while searching for a new one I found this app. You get a few “this app’s” for free, but have to purchase the rest. For me, this wasn’t an issue. I happily paid the $3.99 to unlock all the features as a one-time payment. Some apps make you pay for each separately, so it was nice to only have to pay once to unlock it all. The sounds are so crystal clear and sound great. The look and feel of Portal is also very nice. You can hook it up to philips hue lights which I don’t have yet, but plan on buying in the future so I think that will be cool. I really only have one complaint. In the portals there is a guided breathing exercise, and it tells you on the screen when to breathe in and out. I really wish there was a way to have it narrated for you. Sometimes I like to close my eyes when doing breathing exercises and obviously I can’t see the screen when my eyes are closed. Other then that, Portal is awesome! 5 stars for sure. I can’t wait to see what other portals they add in the future.

by AceCard8

I was initially resistant to try this app because of concerns about getting to interested in an app with a high subscription cost. However, the nice permanent free offering convinced me that some things are worth it. Portal is extraordinary. First, it respects your privacy and collects no data on you which is a rarity these days. Then, if you love soundscapes you will not find a better program to transport you around the world. The sound quality is excellent and the time between loops is long enough to be near imperceptible. The UI makes exploring interesting and seamless. Integration with the 3D audio is great too though I usually do have my phone use speaker or Bluetooth. My only gripe is if my phone is not plugged in overnight, the background battery usage can be more than I expect (10-15%) on an IPhone 13 Pro, as the battery usage chart shows it is active overnight. This may be nothing though. I had questions and a problem with purchasing Portal and the team could not have been more helpful. I hope one day the permanent purchase price is more affordable. I look forward to further integrating Portal into my workflows. Keep up the great work team! Always excited for new portals!

by SkywalkerButtercup

Portal is meticulously designed and implemented with technical expertise with gorgeous artistry. It’s thoughtfully developed with the user in mind - it is an exemplary app for being customer-centric. The nuanced sound and visuals, and functionality of Portal are impressive. The developers clearly thought through each step of the design, user-experience, and continuously think of ways to improve and expand. As an early purchaser of Portal , it’s been such a joy and delight to see Portal grow, and keep adding to my enjoyment and daily use of Portal .

The customer service for Portal is top notch. They are responsive and genuine in their passion and commitment to improving to Portal , and sincerely listening with intent to the comments and suggestions of their customers.

This is a top-notch app built and continues to be thoughtfully improved with passion and dedication with the customer in mind.

by YMermaid

I love Portal, and I literally just opened it for the first time. I immediately bought the premium sounds, because how could I not??

The one thing I works really, really need though is other breathing exercise options, and not just the 1:1 ratio. For my vocal chord dysfunction, my speech therapist instructed me specifically to avoid 1:1 as it's inefficient and to use 1:3 or 2:6. It would be nice to have serval options or the ability to choose. Basically for what I've learned in speech therapy and also yoga is that the exhale always has to be longer than the inhale. I hope it's possible to add this feature!

Thank you so much for making such an aesthetically pleasing and sounding app.

by Zeyphersan

I almost never write reviews, but after the most recent 2.0 update I just feel the need to. Portal is perfect. The last two things it needed was Siri Shortcuts and the promised syncing with Hue lights, and the developers have delivered. I haven’t been so happy to update an app in a while, and just getting my shortcuts and automations exactly how I want them has been a dream.

Thank you so much to the whole Portals team, I can’t wait to see what you do next. I also can’t wait until my alarm goes off tomorrow morning to hear the sound of a Thai beach and have my lights all come on at just the right color. Seems way better than waking up to music, I’ll tell you that.

by Vfnrowpi

It is very difficult to find a good meditation app that will help you relax. Portal gives you very soothing sounds from all over the globe, and to get the full version, you only have to pay 3.99$. Other apps make you pay from 60$-120$ each year! I really enjoyed using Portal and I recommend it to everyone across the globe. Portal helps me relax when I’m anxious, calm down when I’m angry, and when I’m on any type of transportation, I use Portal. It is overall an amazing app and I wish they had more apps like these on Portal Store.

by MarkWJohnson

I love listening to nature soundscapes and I have several apps for this already. But since I discovered this app, it’s the only one of its kind that I use. The free soundscapes are great - and paying a few bucks for additional soundscapes is a no-brainer. this app has a setting that lets you mix their sounds with other apps and so lately I’ve been mixing nature sounds with music, audiobooks, and podcasts. I love adding this additional depth to my listening experience - especially to audiobooks or quiet, ambient music. I love Portal!

by Aaubreylanc

Perhaps most importantly, Portal *works* very well. The Hue integration is seamless and it is very intuitive. The idea is solid and has a lot of room to grow in the future with more portals. The one time payment model is far favorable to a subscription. That said, it would be very useful to be able to control multiple rooms’ lights simultaneously, like Living Room and Bedroom, to spread the ambiance, especially in smaller living spaces. Otherwise, great app and lots of room to grow!

by Kaz00m

The developers didn’t such a great job with Portal ! Even just scrolling through menus and options is a joy to use, the interface is extremely well designed! So many apps have boring blank interfaces and this one balances simplicity with a sleek futuristic design that’s not overwhelming.

The sounds and clips are very high quality and nice to watch. The integration with Hue is so cool and a great idea.

I love using Portal for mediation and background sounds while working. The only thing I would add is more color/brightness effects with hue lights when you use this feature. I would love to see my lights react to changing scenery (maybe even add an apple tv version).

Nevertheless Portal absolutely worth keeping on your phone. Can’t wait to see what else they add, well done!

by Nickflusk

While there may be a ton of apps like this on Portal Store, I’ll go ahead and say that this one is by far my favorite. The soundscapes are so detailed and have so much movement that it actually seems like you’re surrounded by the scene. I can put on my headphones and become completely engulfed by the sounds. Portal itself is very beautifully designed as well, something a lot of other apps fall short on.

I hope the Hue integration comes shortly!

by News Aficianado

Portal is just plain awesome! Great functionality, wonderful options....and superb customer service. I couldn’t find the auto lock feature (look for the gear icon and you’ll find it), so I sent them some feedback with that as a suggestion. They reached out to me within hours, showed me where to find it and couldn’t have been more helpful. I plan to use Portal for a long time! Thank you!

by Climax510

Love it. Only problem is it’s file size. It’s 500mgs. If space is a issue for you then you may want to seriously consider uninstalling a few things first as this is a must have. Wish the developers could’ve done something about the file size but considering how beautiful Portal is and how crispy the UI runs, looks and feels it all makes sense.

by Slowdevine

As a fan of nature recordings and ambient music, it is pleasing to use Portal, especially with a mix option. I will just leave a few feedback. Adding a few more breathing exercises options on the ESCAPE tab would be great. like Box breathing, 478 breathing. this could be personal preference, also adding interval chimes would be a great option for users who love mindfulness meditation. Keep up good work!

by RaileeJones23

I happened to stumble on Portal in the “Apps for Working from Home and Staying at Home” editors story, and am I glad I did!!! I’ve always loved sounds to fall asleep to or calm me, and this does exactly that. Quality sound (I love listening on my headphones) and lots of choices. I bought the in app purchase for more, and it was well worth the money (only 4.99 I think?). Absolutely love the Philips Hue integration.

by Raphaeldevarona

This is the experience that iOS apps should deliver. Portal feels so polished and smooth both in UI and intuitiveness. The Philips Hue integration is perfect and I hope you take this even further. The only thing that is missing is an Apple TV app which would really help with the immersion. I hope you create more iOS experiences like this because this is truly what makes this device magical.

by Fan767

Portal is well worth the cost! Of the 14 “portals”...I have enjoyed them all! I look forward to whatever new ones may be coming in the future!

I will say that the two that are more music based than just sound...are quickly becoming two of my favorites! I hope to see more music ones as time goes on!