Comparison

Dhamma.org vs Gong Timer

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

Head to head
About

Dhamma.org

Explore Vipassana meditation techniques and find residential courses worldwide. Access audio and video resources, apply for courses, and manage your user account. This app offers a path to self-purification through self-observation.

Highlights
  • Learn about Vipassana Meditation
  • Find worldwide course locations
  • Search courses by date, region, language
  • Apply and register for courses
  • Download/stream audio and video resources
  • Manage user account and application forms
  • Access group sitting recordings
Features
Read full description

This is the official DhammaOrg iOS mobile App for Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Vipassana Meditation Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills, an Art of Living. Vipassana is the process of self-purification by self-observation. One begins by observing the natural breath to concentrate the mind. Then, with a sharpened awareness, one proceeds to observe the changing nature of body and mind and experiences the universal truths of impermanence, suffering and egolessness. This truth-realization by direct experience results in mental purification. Courses The technique of Vipassana Meditation is taught at 10-day residential courses during which participants learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results. There are no charges for the courses - not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to also benefit. Locations Courses are given in numerous Meditation Centers and at Non-Center course locations. Each location has its own schedule of courses. In most cases, an application for admission to these courses can be completed online using this App. There are numerous Centers currently in operation and more in development around the world, including Africa, Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Features of this App - Learn more about Vipassana Meditation. - Find locations near you that offer Vipassana Meditation courses from a complete worldwide listing or map of over 300 locations spread across 80+ countries. - Locate Vipassana Meditation courses using search criteria such as dates, regions, and instruction languages. - Apply and register to attend a Vipassana Meditation course. - Download or listen online to audio resources in different languages, including 10-Day Discourses and instructions for Mini- Ānāpāna meditation. - Stream videos in different languages, including 10-Day Discourses, Talks, Interviews, and Q&As by S.N. Goenka, Documentaries about Vipassana for adults and children, Vipassana for business executives and Vipassana in prisons, and a Mini-Ānāpāna Introduction and Practice. - Support for creating and maintaining individual user account - Pre-fill course application forms with profile information from user account - Sync user account with updated information provided on application forms Old Students - One hour group sitting recordings in 25+ different languages. - Play group sitting recordings with an option to log your daily sittings. All logged data is only stored locally on your device. - Turn on group sitting counter to join and see how many Old Students are currently meditating. - Find information about group sittings and other events hosted near you or hosted online. - Additional audio resources, including discourses for Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta, 1/2/3-day, and 7-day teenager courses; Morning Chantings and Dohas for 10-day courses; Special Chantings; Talks, Interviews, and Q&As by S.N. Goenka; Pāḷi Training; and Gong Sounds. - Additional video resources, including Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta Discourses, Benefits of Dhamma Service, Talks, Interviews, and Q&As by S.N. Goenka for Old Students and Dhamma Servers, and Special Chantings in the Gem Set in Gold. - A wealth of written resources including the Old Student Guide, Course Formalities and Pāḷi Passages, Group Sittings Chantings, the 10-Day Discourse Summaries, Glossary of Pāḷi Terms, FAQs about doing a Self Course, information about the Chain of Teachers in this Tradition, information about Dhamma Service, and Dāna. - Administer standard or customized self courses

About

Gong Timer

Features
Read full description

Gong Timer supports time-based practices like mindfulness, tai chi, and meditation through structured, non-intrusive sound cues. Sessions are built around milestones, which divide time into meaningful phases, and optional waymarks, which provide gentle reference points along the way. Sound cues are quiet and non-intrusive, guiding without interrupting the flow. Core Features: - Create timers using milestones and optional waymarks - Choose from a curated set of sound cues - Session progress shown on the Lock Screen with Live Activity - Designed to preserve your attention throughout practice Begin with up to three timers. Add more capabilities later if your practice expands. Mindfulness is within. Created for Mindfulness Practitioners, Gong Timer is part of a broader approach that sees mindfulness as something woven into daily life, not separate from it. It helps you hold a mental space, transition with intention, and remain grounded during the passing moments of your day. Also, you can read our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy here: https://intenvix.com/gong-terms https://intenvix.com/gong-privacy-policy

Screenshots

Dhamma.org4 screens
Gong Timer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dhamma.org at none against Gong Timer's 2. Dhamma.org also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 9 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support 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. Gong Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Dhamma.org asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dhamma.org ships an update fortnightly, Gong Timer every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Dhamma.org versus Gong Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDhamma.orgGong Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (189 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews85.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings189 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 9 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size134 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSAYATGYI U BA KHIN MEMORIAL TRUST OF MASSACHUSSETS, INCIntenvix, Inc.

In-app purchases

None

Dhamma.org

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Gong Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Practitioner (monthly)$3.991 Month
  • Practitioner (annual)$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Dhamma.org free?
Dhamma.org is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Gong Timer free?
Gong Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Dhamma.org or Gong Timer have ads?
Neither Dhamma.org nor Gong Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dhamma.org or Gong Timer?
Dhamma.org ships an update fortnightly, and Gong Timer every 9 months. Most recently, Dhamma.org was updated on October 8, 2026 and Gong Timer on October 12, 2026.

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