# Absolute Tides vs CountMeDown

The clearest difference is price: Absolute Tides at Free against CountMeDown's $1.99. Absolute Tides also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). CountMeDown's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Absolute Tides is free to download; CountMeDown costs $1.99 up front. Absolute Tides sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. CountMeDown asks for nothing beyond the download.

Absolute Tides ships an update every 5 months, CountMeDown every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Absolute Tides | CountMeDown |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Positive reviews | 67.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 30 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Darren Edwards](https://appshunter.io/developer/1055828981) | [Susanne LEECH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1328526040) |

## What reviewers say

### Absolute Tides

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/absolute-tides/id1055828982)

Access official UKHO tidal data offline for up to a year in advance. View monthly tide tables, daily charts, and tidal streams. Includes weather forecasts and anchoring assistance.

**Highlights:** Offline UKHO tidal data, Annual data plugins, Monthly tide tables, Daily tide charts, Tidal stream view, Met Office weather forecast, Anchoring assistance

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| UK Tides 2016 | Free | one-time |
| UK Tides 2017 | Free | one-time |
| UK Tides 2018 | Free | one-time |
| UK Tides 2019 | Free | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2020 | Free | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2021 | Free | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2022 | $2.99 | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2023 | $2.99 | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2024 | $2.99 | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2026 | $2.99 | one-time |
| UK & Eire Tides 2025 | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and straightforward
- 🚀 Accurate tide and time data
- 🗺️ Useful for pre-trip planning
- 🌊 Excellent for real-time navigation at sea
- 💰 Good value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes or stops working
- 📅 Updates stop at the end of the year
- 🔌 Purchase not transferable across devices
- ⚠️ Incorrect port data (e.g., Newcastle)
- 🤔 Offsets are confusing and not well explained

**Reported bugs**

- App stopped working after 2025/2026 update
- App crashes when selecting River Tyne ports
- App crashes immediately on opening with 2024 data
- Tyne ports cause app to disappear and require reinstallation
- App crashes on iPad when clicking 'Streams'

**Requested features**

- Version covering full French Brittany & Atlantic coasts using SHOM charts
- Indication of Standard vs. Secondary port in tide time display
- Include Fleetwood or more detailed Morecambe Bay data
- Map showing port locations
- Apple Watch complication


### CountMeDown

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countmedown/id6476015474)

This app is designed for racing sailors to manage start sequences. It offers easy access to start, stop, and rest functions, allows syncing to the closest minute, and supports custom countdown sequences for various racing scenarios. A voice countdown feature keeps hands free during the race.

**Highlights:** Start, Stop & Rest buttons on home screen, Sync to closest minute (up & down), Custom countdown sequences, Voice countdown feature, Specify sequence minute length, Specify number of classes & interval

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Absolute Tides free?

Absolute Tides is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is CountMeDown free?

CountMeDown costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Absolute Tides or CountMeDown have ads?

Neither Absolute Tides nor CountMeDown shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Absolute Tides or CountMeDown?

Absolute Tides ships an update every 5 months, and CountMeDown every 3 weeks. Most recently, Absolute Tides was updated on October 8, 2026 and CountMeDown on September 11, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*