# Board Game Timer vs Scythe

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Board Game Timer at 85% against Scythe's 39%. Board Game Timer also leads on price (Free vs $9.99) and rating (4.7 vs 3.1). Scythe's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (217 vs 18). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Board Game Timer is free to download; Scythe costs $9.99 up front. Board Game Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Scythe sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Board Game Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scythe has 217 ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Board Game Timer's written reviews are positive against 39% of Scythe's.

Board Game Timer ships an update every 13 months, Scythe every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Board Game Timer | Scythe |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $9.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/board-game-timer/id1059796958/reviews)** | [3.1 (217 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scythe-digital-edition/id1482645966/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **217** |
| Positive reviews | **85.2% of reviews** | 39.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#183** |
| Size | 124 MB | 421 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | [Sublab Games ApS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1059796957) | [The Knights of Unity](https://appshunter.io/developer/1445540630) |

## What reviewers say

### Board Game Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/board-game-timer/id1059796958)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Customization | $5.99 | one-time |


### Scythe

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scythe-digital-edition/id1482645966)

**Currently charting:** #183 Top Paid · Board (US App Store)

Experience an award-winning 4X strategy board game set in an alternate 1920s Europe. Lead one of seven unique factions, explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate your way to victory. Engage in asymmetric gameplay with varied starting conditions and secret objectives.

**Highlights:** Alternate 1920s Europe setting, 7 unique factions with different possibilities, 4X mechanics: explore, expand, exploit, exterminate, Asymmetric gameplay with varied starting resources and objectives, Turn-based combat and resource management, Single-player AI modes, Online multiplayer for up to 7 players

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Invaders From Afar | $3.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great game adaptation
- 👍 Smooth gameplay
- 👍 Excellent tutorial
- 👍 Offline mode works well
- 👍 Visuals and UI are well-designed

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes and loading issues
- 🐛 Buggy undo functionality
- 🐛 Inability to see opponent actions
- 🐛 Confusing UI elements
- 🐛 Lack of offline play

**Reported bugs**

- Game freezes on loading screen
- Unable to load/unload individual resources
- Crashes after recent updates
- Incompatibility with older iOS devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to invite offline friends
- Push notifications for turn updates
- More difficulty settings for AI
- Expansion content (Invaders from Afar)
- Better analytics and player stats


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Board Game Timer free?

Board Game Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Scythe free?

Scythe costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Board Game Timer or Scythe?

Board Game Timer is rated higher. Board Game Timer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Scythe averages 3.1 from 217 ratings.

### Do Board Game Timer or Scythe have ads?

Neither Board Game Timer nor Scythe shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Board Game Timer or Scythe?

Board Game Timer ships an update every 13 months, and Scythe every 2 months. Most recently, Board Game Timer was updated on October 23, 2026 and Scythe on October 24, 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.*