# Countdown Timer vs CountdownerSMS

The clearest difference is monetization model: CountdownerSMS at free with in-app purchases against Countdown Timer's subscription. CountdownerSMS also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 76%). Countdown Timer's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (371 vs 4). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Countdown Timer sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and CountdownerSMS sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.4 for Countdown Timer against 4.5 for CountdownerSMS. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Countdown Timer has 371 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 76% of Countdown Timer's written reviews are positive against 100% of CountdownerSMS's.

Countdown Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, CountdownerSMS every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Countdown Timer | CountdownerSMS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (371 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-timer-count-to-days/id1069060573/reviews) | **[4.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdownersms/id6753716974/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **371** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 75.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 38 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [AlgoTwist Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/543053355) | [Braden Aron Mc Corkle](https://appshunter.io/developer/1673607393) |

## 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


### CountdownerSMS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdownersms/id6753716974)

Create dynamic countdowns for any event and share them directly within iMessage conversations. Choose from a variety of themes and animated effects to make waiting more exciting for everyone involved.

**Highlights:** Live countdown creation for any date, Share timers directly via iMessage, 51 free and premium themes, Animated ambient effects, Confetti celebration on completion, Built-in Theme Shop

**Features:** Family Sharing, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patriotic Theme Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Summer Days Theme Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Weather Theme Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Celestial Theme Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Luxe Theme Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Bloom Theme Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| All Packs Unlock | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Countdown Timer free?

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

### Is CountdownerSMS free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Countdown Timer or CountdownerSMS?

CountdownerSMS is rated higher. Countdown Timer averages 4.4 out of 5 from 371 ratings, while CountdownerSMS averages 4.5 from 4 ratings.

### Do Countdown Timer or CountdownerSMS have ads?

Neither Countdown Timer nor CountdownerSMS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Countdown Timer or CountdownerSMS?

Countdown Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, and CountdownerSMS every 4 months. Most recently, Countdown Timer was updated on October 16, 2026 and CountdownerSMS on October 13, 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.*