# Up Ahead: Countdown Widgets — user reviews > 159 indexed App Store user reviews of Up Ahead by Daniel Gauthier, rated 4.90/5 from 684 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/up-ahead-countdown-widgets/id1583147528/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/up-ahead-countdown-widgets/id1583147528.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 626 · 4★ 35 · 3★ 11 · 2★ 7 · 1★ 5 ## What do users think of Up Ahead? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 👍 Great app with clean UI - 🎨 Simple and joyful design - 🕰️ Excellent countdown app - 🎨 Beautifully designed - 🎨 Lovely and intuitive - 🎨 Aesthetic and fun - 🎨 Delightful and easy to use - 🎨 Friendly and fun - 🎨 Brilliant UI and features **Cons** - 💰 Overpriced subscription - 💰 Limited free version - 🔄 Abandoned by developers - 🔄 No updates in a long time - 🔄 Development paused? - 🐛 Recurring events are buggy - 🔒 No backup or sync - 🔒 No calendar integration **Commonly reported bugs** - Widget doesn't update automatically - Backup feature doesn't work - Sound effects stopped working - Login screen freezes - Incompatible with older devices **Most requested features** - Unlock all patterns - More color options - More icons and customization - Calendar integration - Siri and reminder integration - iPad app - Apple Watch complications - Ability to set end dates for recurring events - Periodic reminders for past events - Family sharing - Import events from other calendars ## Newest reviews (16 of 159) ### 3/5 — Abandoned? *2026-03-22, version 1.4.3* I was super excited to use and support this app when it was released. I’ve had a Plus account from day one. But at this point, there hasn’t been a single update in a year, the website still says the app is being released soon, the developer has disappeared from social media and has never responded to me after several attempts to reach out. The app still works, so I’m happy about that, but it sucks to be paying for an app that has been abandoned, with no way of contacting the developer for support. My subscription ends in June and I won’t be renewing. You can’t have an ongoing subscription model and abandon your users! A major reason devs switch to or offer subscription models is so they can continue development! ### 3/5 — Good countdown app that has been abandoned *2025-11-26, version 1.4.3* Update on 11/25/2025: While this is a good app, it can’t justify requiring a subscription. While updates were frequent at first, it’s been over a year since the app was last updated. That’s fine for an app you pay for once, is fully featured, and just works. It’s not fine for an app asking to be paid for monthly or yearly. There’s also the one time payment option of $29.99. The app is good. It’s not $30 good. Original Review: I’ve been looking for a great countdown app for a while. So many have inelegant UI or don’t function the way I would like. Up Ahead to the rescue! This app looks and works great. I like the layout and how you can see the number of days between countdowns. Being able to choose custom patterns for each countdown is a nice touch. The only issue I have is being able to bring myself to paying monthly, yearly, or such a high lifetime price for a countdown app. I use it as a nice to have, but not a necessity. While I can justify paying for a finance app or even a Twitter app, I have a hard time justifying paying a subscription for a countdown app. It’s possible that I might change my mind as the app is updated, but as of right now, I’ll remain a free user. ### 4/5 — Good enough but… *2025-06-21, version 1.4.3* Would be great if it had Siri, calendar and reminder app integration or at the very least calendar integration having to do duplicate entries makes this app annoying to use. ### 3/5 — Development Paused? *2025-04-29, version 1.4.3* Has development of this app stopped? Sound effects have stopped working for me in Up Ahead. But I see there have been no updates in the past six months. ### 4/5 — Great, but recurring events are buggy *2025-03-15, version 1.4.3* I enjoy this app quite a bit, but have noticed that recurring events don’t actually show up once passed unless you kill and reopen the app. Although there’s an “email” item in the help section it doesn’t actually do anything, so no other way of notifying the developer. ### 5/5 — Nice *2025-03-09, version 1.4.3* Perfect ### 5/5 — Do one thing and do it well *2025-01-26, version 1.4.3* I'm a big fan of apps that aren't 'all-in-one everything and the kitchen sink'... Up Ahead has become a simple and beautiful part of my planning process because it does one thing and it does it very well: a countdown widget for upcoming events. I track major personal and work events in it and it's a delight to use. Zero bloat, beautiful design and gradual quality of life improvements such as Notes and URLs to link to project or task info. and even recurring events (such as birthdays). Got the one-time lifetime subscription. Happy to support excellent indie developers and apps. ### 5/5 — Amazing app *2025-01-23, version 1.4.3* So fun, get the premium, so cheep, so much fun ### 5/5 — 👍 *2024-12-19, version 1.4.3* 👍 ### 5/5 — Works great *2024-12-15, version 1.4.3* I’ve been using the free version for over a year now, so I figured I’d subscribe up. Works awesomely! ### 5/5 — Amazing countdown app! *2024-12-03, version 1.4.3* Been looking for a native countdown app for years, and this is the only one that has not only met, but also exceeded my expectation. Amazing app! ### 5/5 — Well designed & aesthetically pleasing countdown app *2024-11-29, version 1.4.3* I’ve been looking to consolidate my countdowns into a single app and up ahead has been the best one so far. Regular updates and a friendly developer make all the difference! ### 5/5 — Excellent! *2024-11-29, version 1.4.3* Does exactly what it promises and does it so well. Design is on point, fun, and engaging. 100% worth trying out if it seems even mildly interesting. ### 5/5 — Top 1 *2024-11-28, version 1.4.3* A very useful application to have control through dates! Easy to use, perfect widgets and a lot of fun! ### 5/5 — Beautiful and Functional *2024-11-28, version 1.4.3* The app offers all the features you’d expect from a countdown app. What sets it apart is its stunningly designed interface, and the way it adds an element of excitement and surprise when you unlock new patterns. It’s undoubtedly the best countdown app available! ### 5/5 — Absolutely beautiful and simple *2024-11-28, version 1.4.3* It does exactly what I need and is straightforward and not cluttered. I love how you can unlock different patterns depending on what the event is you create, but also progressively unlock patterns. Would recommend for anyone! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — No support from developer *2025-12-23, version 1.4.3* Zero support from developer. I emailed with an issue I was having and have gotten no reply at all. I subscribed but when it comes to resubscribe, I will not continue. ### 1/5 — Was great but abandoned *2025-11-08, version 1.4.3* Sad to see support and maintenance has been absent for a year now. I used to pay a monthly sub for this and it has a great design ### 1/5 — Simplest thing doesn’t work *2025-06-10, version 1.4.3* Never would update my lock screen to show the new event widget. ### 1/5 — No Calendar integration *2024-09-02, version 1.4.1* Doesn't sync with Calendars, which seems like a gigantic oversight, as the thought would be to create two of the same event if you wanted it in your calendar but also in the admittedly beautiful Up Ahead. ### 1/5 — Pay to have a widget but you can’t get backgrounds *2023-01-22, version 1.1.1* You have to pay to add the widget to your screen ($1.99/month, reoccurring or do the monthly option or the one time fee ($29)). I figured why not it’s only $1.99 to try it. Doesn’t even have basic icons like legal/law related. And you can only get one background besides plain which is an ugly summer one. You have to “unlock” the other backgrounds aka patterns by using the app more. So to be clear, you pay to put the widget on your home screen and can’t even unlock the backgrounds. Waste of time. Also it’s not as aesthetic as people are saying. You get 6 boring colors without the options for text design, photos or any other type of design. So don’t waste your time and your money like I did. ### 1/5 — Greedy *2022-10-11, version 1.0.2* Charging any amount of money monthly for a simple countdown app is ludicrous. They have arbitrarily locked the ability to see multiple countdowns on the Lock Screen behind their monthly paywall. I would actually pay a one time purchase, but never a subscription for something so small. I’ve deleted the app. ### 2/5 — No response from dev, backup broker *2025-05-08, version 1.4.3* Love this little app and have been subscribed for a few years. But the dev hasn't responded to my email sent many months ago regarding a backup bug. Backing up hasn't worked since day 1. Will cancel this subscription since it looks like it's no longer under development. ### 2/5 — really cool app, but 3 events isn't enough *2024-09-21, version 1.4.1* for free you can only have 3 events which is way too little especially for somebody who doesn't want to pay a subscription. would be nicer to have way more ### 2/5 — Kinda limited *2024-07-16, version 1.4.1* Unless you want to pay a subscription it’s pretty much useless. Honestly it’s a reminder app. Not worth a monthly sub IMHO ### 2/5 — More, more, more *2024-06-05, version 1.3.1* I’m a lifetime subscriber, and there needs to be an iPad app. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — The Best *2026-07-31, version 1.4.3* Extremely useful app. Everyone must have it. ### 5/5 — Just so delightful *2026-05-20, version 1.4.3* This is such a fun app that allows my family to look ahead at all what’s coming. Just a delight to use ### 5/5 — Excellent, joyful app *2026-03-15, version 1.4.3* So easy to use with some nice customisation. Not too overwhelmed with choice and does exactly what I needed. I love it. Thank you ### 5/5 — Fantastic App *2026-02-28, version 1.4.3* This has actually replaced the calendar app for me. As someone who doesn’t have many official engagements but still wants to track life, holidays, days out, this is fantastic. I always have something to look forward to on my Home Screen and if there’s nothing there it reminds me to go ahead and book something in! Fantastic presentation throughout the app. ### 5/5 — Great App *2025-12-31, version 1.4.3* Works well and very clean UI. However, please unlock all the patterns. ### 5/5 — Simple and joyful design *2025-11-09, version 1.4.3* I love it! It has a great and simple design that's a joy to use. My only wish is for the widget to be able to display countdowns in weeks and days like the app (as an option), rather than just days. ### 5/5 — My new favourite app! *2025-10-27, version 1.4.3* Makes your due dates actually exciting. Looking forward to mor from this gem. ### 5/5 — Great *2025-09-21* Really easy and useful. Please release it on Apple Watch and iPad! It will be perfect! ### 5/5 — Really great way to get the most important next thing on your Home Screen *2025-09-21, version 1.4.3* Really great way to get the most important next thing on your Home Screen. Easy to use, nice to look at, configurable. Recommended ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ### 5/5 — Fantastic app *2025-07-15, version 1.4.3* It is terrific for my mood to have a reminder of the next thing to look forward to on my home screen! --- *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 2026-08-21.*