# Countdown Timer vs Countdown Widget & Counter

The clearest difference is monetization model: Countdown Widget & Counter at free with in-app purchases against Countdown Timer's subscription. Countdown Widget & Counter also leads on ratings volume (2.4K vs 371). Countdown Timer's advantage is device support (5 vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.6). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Countdown Timer sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Countdown Widget & Counter sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Countdown Widget & Counter holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Countdown Widget & Counter has 2.4K ratings behind it against 371, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 76% and 76% positive.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 8, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Countdown Timer | Countdown Widget & Counter |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (371 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-timer-count-to-days/id1069060573/reviews) | **[4.6 (2.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-widget-and-counter/id1533996161/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 371 | **2.4K** |
| Positive reviews | 75.9% of reviews | 75.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 38 MB | 160 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [AlgoTwist Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/543053355) | [The Good App Company, Limited Liability Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/1086171798) |

## What reviewers say

### Countdown Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-timer-count-to-days/id1069060573)

Track and manage upcoming events with a customizable countdown timer. Organize occasions by category, add personal photos, and stay updated with a home screen widget. Share your excitement with friends and family.

**Highlights:** Unlimited event categories, Customizable photos, Home screen widget, Event reminders, Countdown in various units, Shareable countdowns, iCloud sync

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

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Month Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Countdown Full Access | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited Access | $0.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited Access + Tip | $1.99 | one-time |
| Unlimited Access + Huge Tip | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 👍 Great for remembering events
- 👍 Useful tool
- 👍 Good design
- 👍 Works on Apple Watch

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App doesn't work
- 🐛 Too many bugs
- 🐛 Link to share won't work
- 🐛 Requires payment for more than one countdown
- 🐛 Pictures turn sideways

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't work
- Too many bugs
- Link to share won't work
- Pictures turn sideways
- Widget broken

**Requested features**

- Option to choose years, weeks, days, and hours for countdowns
- Event can have multiple pictures like a slideshow
- Ability to set repeat dates for 2 or 3 weeks


### Countdown Widget & Counter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-widget-and-counter/id1533996161)

Create customizable widgets to track upcoming events directly on your home screen. Visualize your countdowns with beautiful designs, icons, and color gradients. Receive real-time notifications for important dates.

**Highlights:** Live countdown widgets, Customizable widget templates, Event editor with live preview, Color gradients, Over 50 icons, Real-time push notifications

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Widget Studio PRO | $1.99 | per month |
| Monthly Subscription | $3.99 | per month |
| Widget Studio PRO | $4.99 | per year |
| Widget Studio PRO | $5.99 | per year |
| Widget Studio PRO | $7.99 | per year |
| Widget Studio PRO | $8.99 | per year |
| Annual Subscription | $12.99 | per year |
| Widget Studio PRO | $12.99 | per year |
| Widget Studio Pro Lifetime | $9.99 | one-time |
| Widget Studio Pro Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 👍 Fantastic for glancing at events
- 👍 Cool app
- 👍 Nice widgets
- 👍 Good countdown app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Extremely buggy
- 🔕 NOT IMPRESSED (no sound)
- 💰 Expensive price
- 💰 Money
- 💰 Only 2 for free

**Reported bugs**

- Time calculation isn't correct
- Widget and in-app display show different days remaining
- Widget goes blank after phone restart
- Countdowns freeze or count up unexpectedly
- Paid version still shows ads

**Requested features**

- Better integration with calendar and reminder API
- Ability to rearrange events in the countdown list
- Option to default 'What's Next' to user's choice
- Larger photo frame in widget
- Ability to group events into categories


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Countdown Timer free?

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

### Is Countdown Widget & Counter free?

Countdown Widget & Counter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Countdown Timer or Countdown Widget & Counter?

Countdown Widget & Counter is rated higher. Countdown Timer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 371 ratings, while Countdown Widget & Counter averages 4.6 from 2.4K ratings.

### Do Countdown Timer or Countdown Widget & Counter have ads?

Neither Countdown Timer nor Countdown Widget & Counter shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Countdown Timer or Countdown Widget & Counter?

Countdown Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, and Countdown Widget & Counter every 3 weeks. Most recently, Countdown Timer was updated on September 8, 2026 and Countdown Widget & Counter on September 30, 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.*