Comparison

Board Game Timer vs Chess Timer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Board Game Timer

This app helps keep board games moving by timing players. It offers countdown, count-up, and time-per-turn modes for up to eight players. Customize player names and pawns to match your game, and use the built-in dice to select a starting player.

Highlights
  • Multiple timing modes (count up, count down, time per turn)
  • Supports up to 8 players
  • Customizable player names and pawns
  • Integrated dice for random player selection
  • Official timer for German Board Game Championship
Features
Read full description

When heavy thinking stalls your board game, let Board Game Timer call out those snail's pacing players and give them a friendly nudge. Keeps track of up to 8 players in 3 modes: Count up - simply count up each player's time, no stress! - or - Count down - set a time limit for each player - or - Time per turn - set a maximum time per turn. Customize, name and rearrange your pawns to match your board game setup. And it has a dice to pick a random starting player too! Official timer for the German Board Game Championship for Teams: https://www.dmmib.de/

About

Chess Timer

A straightforward dual timer designed for over-the-board chess and other two-player competitive games. It allows for customizable time increments, delays, and overtime limits, functioning as a simple chess clock or for games like Scrabble and Go.

Highlights
  • Dual timer for two-player games
  • Fischer, Bronstein, and simple delay increments
  • Overtime limits with penalties
  • Supports games like Scrabble and Go
  • Intuitive tap-to-switch interface
Features
Read full description

Chess Timer is a simple dual timer for over-the-board chess and other two player games. Place you phone flat on the table beside the chess board. Only one clock runs at a time. Tapping the clock face stops one clock and starts the other players clock. Can be used with other competitive two-player board game such as Scrabble, shogi or go. Pro Features: Extra time can be added every turn in one of three ways: Fischer, Bronstein, or a simple delay. Fischer: Time is added to the clock at the end of each turn. Bronstein: Time is added to the clock at the end of each turn, but never more than the turn time. E.g. if the increment is 10 seconds, but the player only takes only 6 seconds on their turn, then 6 seconds is added to the clock. Simple delay: A simple delay before the clock starts each turn. Overtime: An overtime limit can be allowed for each player and penalty points are given for the amount of overtime used. This can be used, for example, as a Scrabble clock.

Screenshots

Board Game Timer4 screens
Chess Timer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Board Game Timer at 85% against Chess Timer's 43%. Board Game Timer also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.3) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Chess Timer's advantage is ratings volume (55 vs 18). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Board Game Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Chess Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Board Game Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 18 and 55 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Board Game Timer's written reviews are positive against 43% of Chess Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Board Game Timer ships an update every 13 months, Chess Timer every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Board Game Timer versus Chess Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBoard Game TimerChess Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (18 ratings) — better4.3 (55 ratings)
Positive reviews85.2% of reviews — better42.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1855 — better
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 11 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSublab Games ApSDAVID CROOKS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIMITED

Customer experience

Board Game Timer

All ratings18 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral5.6%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive85.2%
Neutral7.4%
Negative7.4%

Chess Timer

All ratings55 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral7.3%
Negative10.9%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral42.9%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Board Game Timer

One-time1
  • Customization$5.99
1 purchases

Chess Timer

One-time1
  • Chess Timer Pro$2.99

Questions

Is Board Game Timer free?
Board Game Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chess Timer free?
Chess Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Board Game Timer or Chess Timer?
Board Game Timer is rated higher. Board Game Timer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Chess Timer averages 4.3 from 55 ratings.
Do Board Game Timer or Chess Timer have ads?
Neither Board Game Timer nor Chess Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Board Game Timer or Chess Timer?
Board Game Timer ships an update every 13 months, and Chess Timer every 11 months. Most recently, Board Game Timer was updated on October 5, 2026 and Chess Timer on September 30, 2026.

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