# 20 Seconds — to change your habits > Habit formation and breaking tool using a 20-second countdown timer. (iPhone/iPad app by Nishco Ltd.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/20-seconds/id939295983 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Nishco Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/829598361) - Category: Productivity, Lifestyle - Price: Free with in-app purchases - Rating: 4.50/5 from 19 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 41 MB - Languages: British English - Released: 2014-11-17 - Data updated: 2026-07-04 - Monetization: free with in-app purchases - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/20-seconds/id939295983/reviews.md ## What is 20 Seconds? 20 Seconds is a simple app, whose only purpose is to count, you guessed it, to 20 seconds. Why, one might ask, 20 seconds? Well, there is a theory that says that 20 seconds is enough time to help you build a new habit, or help you break an existing one. To start with good habits, if you want to do something, you are much more likely to actually do it, if you start within 20 seconds from when you first thought about it. If you wait any longer, you are less likely to go through with it. Conversely, if you want to break a bad habit, waiting 20 seconds after you get the urge, will make it easier for you to avoid doing it. So, when you feel an urge to do something you want to stop doing, start the 20 Seconds app and let it count down. See how you feel about that urge after 20 seconds have passed. While counting down, the app will show a progress indicator, (with or without a random shape), play music or play ticking sounds to distract and amuse you a little bit. It can start counting automatically as soon as you start the app. It also has a 30 day trail of usage in the today widget. ## Key features - 20-second habit timer - Progress indicator - Distracting sounds and music - Automatic start option - 30-day trial in Today widget ## Pricing and in-app purchases Base price: Free. **One-time purchases** | Purchase | Price | Type | | --- | --- | --- | | Premium Version | $0.99 | one-time | | A Kind Tip | $0.99 | one-time | ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/20-seconds/id939295983/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Great! *2018-09-09* Perfect for my ADHD mind to get moving. Customisable time and spurring music but not too pushy to make me anxious and defeat the purpose. Optimum if paired with Arise. ### 5/5 — Refocus and get back on track *2017-06-18, version 1.5.1* Several times a day I find that I've become distracted. To refocus on sharply important, I take a 20 mental clearing with this app and it works. ### 3/5 — Interesting concept *2014-12-27, version 1.1* I find this app helpful for breaking bad habits and also for use in situations for calming down. I think a small settings button would be helpful after the timer finished, to alter the concluding image, or maybe even color if you wanted to branch out the design. Making it clearly accessible would help the effectiveness of the app. ## Frequently asked questions about 20 Seconds ### What is the main purpose of 20 Seconds? 20 Seconds is designed to help users build new habits or break existing ones by utilizing a 20-second countdown. The theory is that acting within 20 seconds of an idea increases the likelihood of follow-through. ### How does 20 Seconds help break bad habits? When you feel an urge to stop a bad habit, you can start the 20 Seconds countdown. Waiting 20 seconds after the urge arises can make it easier to resist and avoid engaging in the habit. ### What features are available during the countdown in 20 Seconds? During the countdown, 20 Seconds displays a progress indicator and can play music or ticking sounds to distract and amuse the user, aiding in the habit-building or breaking process. ### Can 20 Seconds start automatically? Yes, 20 Seconds has an option to start counting automatically as soon as you launch the app, streamlining the process for immediate use. ### What is the trial period for 20 Seconds? 20 Seconds offers a 30-day trial of its usage within the Today widget, allowing users to experience its functionality before committing. ### What devices support 20 Seconds? 20 Seconds is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod, indicating broad compatibility within the Apple ecosystem. ### How often is 20 Seconds updated? The latest version of 20 Seconds is 1.7.2, which was last updated on October 30, 2020. This suggests updates are not extremely frequent. ### Is 20 Seconds free to use? Yes, 20 Seconds is free to download and use. It also offers in-app purchases, suggesting some features or content may be unlocked through them. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.7.2 — 2020-10-30 Free version users can now remove ads for free by watching a short video ### 1.7.1 — 2020-08-15 Randomise animations when starting up ### 1.7 — 2020-04-30 - added animations of shapes - ability to change colour theme ### 1.6 — 2017-09-26 - updated for iOS and iPhone x - added a Premium version - updated colours - new melody ### 1.5.2 — 2017-07-31 * Fix an issue that could cause the app to crash at the end of a run. * Today's widget graph now shows number of sessions per day ## Apps similar to 20 Seconds | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Just One Thing](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/just-one-thing/id6747953045) | — | Free | Productivity | | [Naze: Social Media Blocker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/naze-social-media-blocker/id6474093604) | 4.8 (386) | Free | Productivity | | [Focus- Track. Improve. Repeat.](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/focus-track-improve-repeat/id6749636279) | — | Free | Productivity | | [HabitApp daily habit checklist](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/habitapp-daily-habit-checklist/id1496602645) | 4.6 (8) | Free | Productivity | | [Habiform](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/habiform/id6471245234) | — | Free | Productivity | | [Randominder \| Routine Hacker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/randominder-routine-hacker/id1572649942) | 4.8 (10) | $3.99 | Productivity | ## More apps by Nishco Ltd - [Simetim Meditation Timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simetim-meditation-timer/id829598358) - [30-Day Trials](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/30-day-trials/id1255607622) - [Dalo Task Manager](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dalo-task-manager/id1261366220) All apps by Nishco Ltd: https://appshunter.io/developer/829598361 ## Related topics [20 seconds](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/20-seconds) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-04.*