Comparison

Solar Eclipse Timer vs Dry Bar Comedy+

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

Head to head
About

Solar Eclipse Timer

This app provides precise countdowns and reminders for solar eclipse phenomena, aiding both casual observers and photographers. It works offline and offers features like automatic partial-phase image timing and a dedicated photographer mode.

Highlights
  • Offline eclipse timing
  • Precise contact time calculation
  • Photographer mode
  • Automatic partial-phase image timing
  • Geolocation and manual coordinate entry
  • Audio and notification tests
Features
Read full description

The Solar Eclipse Timer app is marking its 6th eclipse since 2017, which speaks volumes about its reliability and the trust it has built within the eclipse-chasing community. Helping tens of thousands of people enjoy the eclipse more by being reminded to observe all the fascinating eclipse phenomena. Photographers are aided by down-to-the-second precision and countdowns. Since the 2026 path covers some remote areas as well as high-traffic spots in Spain where cell service could be overwhelmed on eclipse day, the app works offline once unlocked. So, geolocation and contact time calculation are all done within the app. This makes it a true "field tool." The app is free to try, and for only a $1.99 in-app purchase to unlock the 2026 eclipse, it's an easy "yes" for anyone who has invested time and travel to be in the path of totality. In-App Video Tutorial: The first button on the Home Screen provides a comprehensive tutorial that explains all the app's functions and how to use them effectively. Audio and Notification Tests: The second button lets users run a "device sound check" to confirm that audio cues, spoken timings, and notifications are audible, which is critical since the app is designed to talk to you. Practice Session Video: The third button launches a 4-minute-45-second video of my actual eclipse-day observation site in 2024, synchronized with the app's real-time announcements. This allows both observers and photographers to practice their routines repeatedly, such as observing for shadow bands, adjusting shutter speeds, and knowing when to remove solar filters. Additionally, dialogue boxes appear as functions are selected, giving you more guidance. On eclipse day, after you get into the path, you can be timing the eclipse in 3 easy steps: 1. Tap to geolocate. 2. Tap to have the app calculate the precise contact times. 3. Tap to load the times into the timer. That's it! You are timing the eclipse. A major convenience feature of the app is the automatic calculation of the clock times needed to capture a perfect set of partial-phase images before and after totality. It is the only app in the world with this function. Collaborating with the late Fred Espenak (Mr. Eclipse) on Photographers Mode before the 2024 eclipse gives the app an incredible pedigree. For pros who need to stay "in the zone" and only care about timing and countdowns from C1 through C4, this mode is a game-changer. You can manually enter coordinates and save the site as a file. This helps compare multiple potential viewing locations. The app includes a hyperlink to the Solar Eclipse Timer website, which gives access to downloadable worksheets to record your partial-phase image times or the chores you want to do in Photographers mode, as well as my Master Stop Chart to count full and partial camera stops. I have observed and photographed six total solar eclipses and one annular eclipse. The concept of an eclipse “talking” timer was developed by me in 2002. I have been helping people time eclipses for almost 25 years. When you use the app, you will appreciate that it was designed by an eclipse chaser. There is also a link to learn more about my comprehensive eclipse observation and photography book, now in its second edition, titled “Eclipse Day.” The app also has a partial eclipse timing mode. This app is ad-free and does not track any user data. ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION DURING THE PARTIAL PHASES OF A SOLAR ECLIPSE! OR EVEN WHEN IT IS BRIGHT! NOT DOING SO CAN CAUSE EYE DAMAGE! We are NOT liable for misuse of the app, causing inaccurate timing, or the lack of eye safety precautions during the observation of a solar eclipse. The "glasses off" and "glasses on" statements are guides based on the calculated contact times. The timing can be affected by your phone's clock and the shape of the shadow due to the edge of the lunar limb. Use the Adjust buttons for Lunar Limb variation time adjustments. Glasses should be ON if it's bright!

About

Dry Bar Comedy+

Access the largest collection of family-friendly stand-up comedy specials, available to watch or listen to ad-free. Enjoy new content weekly and explore hilarious specials anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Highlights
  • Family-friendly stand-up comedy
  • Ad-free viewing and listening
  • Large collection of specials
  • New content added weekly
  • Available on any device
  • Free trial available
Read full description

Watch or listen to the world’s largest collection of family-friendly stand-up comedy, completely ad-free. Funny for everyone, now everywhere. Available any time, any place, on any device. Start your trial now to enjoy over 350 hilarious comedy specials and never-before-seen content added each week. To access all features and content you can subscribe to Dry Bar Comedy+ on a monthly or yearly basis with an auto-renewing subscription right inside the app.* Pricing can vary by region and will be confirmed before purchase in the app. In app subscriptions will automatically renew at the end of their cycle. All payments will be paid through your Apple Account and may be managed under Account Settings after the initial payment. Subscription payments will automatically renew unless deactivated at least 24-hours before the end of the current cycle. Your account will be charged for renewal at least 24-hours prior to the end of the current cycle. Any unused portion of your free trial will be forfeited upon payment. Cancellations are incurred by disabling auto-renewal. Terms of Service: http://drybarcomedy.vhx.tv/tos Privacy Policy: http://drybarcomedy.vhx.tv/privacy

Screenshots

Solar Eclipse Timer4 screens
Dry Bar Comedy+4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Dry Bar Comedy+ at 4.4 against Solar Eclipse Timer's 3.8. Dry Bar Comedy+ also leads on ratings volume (2.5K vs 560). Solar Eclipse Timer's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, 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. Solar Eclipse Timer sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and Dry Bar Comedy+ sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dry Bar Comedy+ holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 560 and 2.5K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Solar Eclipse Timer's written reviews are positive against 64% of Dry Bar Comedy+'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, Dry Bar Comedy+ every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Solar Eclipse Timer versus Dry Bar Comedy+: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSolar Eclipse TimerDry Bar Comedy+
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (560 ratings)4.4 (2.5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.4% of reviews — better63.5% of reviews
Number of ratings5602.5K — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size231 MB80 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperFoxwood Astronomy, LLC.Angel Studios, Inc.

Customer experience

Solar Eclipse Timer

All ratings560 ratings
Positive68.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative27.7%
Written reviews158 reviews
Positive68.4%
Neutral7.6%
Negative24.1%

Dry Bar Comedy+

All ratings2,496 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative11.8%
Written reviews266 reviews
Positive63.5%
Neutral12.0%
Negative24.4%

User reviews

Solar Eclipse Timer

From 560 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate timing and announcements
  • 👍 Enhanced eclipse viewing experience
  • 🎉 Worked flawlessly for 2017 and 2024 eclipses
  • 💡 Helpful for photographers and non-photographers
  • 🔊 Useful audio cues and prompts

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
  • 🔍 Confusing or cluttered user interface
  • 🔋 Audio prompts not working in some cases
  • 🗺️ Inaccurate location detection or totality information

Dry Bar Comedy+

From 2.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💯 Excellent, high-quality comedy
  • 🧹 Clean, family-friendly content
  • 🤑 Free to watch
  • 🎨 Diverse range of comedians
  • 😂 Genuinely hilarious

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Buggy, glitchy app experience
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 🔒 Paywall/subscription model
  • 📺 Lack of iPad/landscape support
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate/find content

Bugs and requests

Solar Eclipse Timer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashing when loading timing data
  • Notifications not working when camera is in use
  • Incorrect contact times displayed for some locations

Requested features

5 requests
  • Customizable reminders or timers
  • Automatic time zone and location updates
  • Lunar eclipse support
  • Improved onboarding and tutorial
  • Countdown timer with graphical depiction

Dry Bar Comedy+

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes/freezes frequently
  • Video playback issues (black screen, out of sync audio)
  • Unresponsive controls (pause, skip, etc.)
  • Inconsistent behavior when rotating device
  • Syncing/loading issues when switching between content

Requested features

5 requests
  • Offline/download mode for content
  • Ability to continue audio playback when app is minimized
  • Better video player controls and resume functionality
  • Search/filter options to find comedians/content
  • Separate section for recently watched/unfinished content

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Solar Eclipse Timer

One-time6
  • Total - 7/2/19; Chile, Argenti$1.99
  • Total - 12/14/20; Chile, Argen$1.99
  • Total – 12/4/21; Antarctica$1.99
Show 3 more
  • Hybrid – 4/20/23; Australia$1.99
  • Total – 4/8/24; USA, Mexico$1.99
  • Solar Eclipse Timer$1.99
6 purchases

Dry Bar Comedy+

Subscriptions2
  • Dry Bar Comedy Monthly7 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Dry Bar Comedy Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
One-time4
  • DBC $1 TIP$0.99
  • DBC $2 Tip$1.99
  • DBC $5 Tip$4.99
Show 1 more
  • DBC $20 Tip$19.99

Questions

Is Solar Eclipse Timer free?
Solar Eclipse Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Dry Bar Comedy+ free?
Dry Bar Comedy+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Solar Eclipse Timer or Dry Bar Comedy+?
Dry Bar Comedy+ is rated higher. Solar Eclipse Timer averages 3.8 out of 5 from 560 ratings, while Dry Bar Comedy+ averages 4.4 from 2.5K ratings.
Do Solar Eclipse Timer or Dry Bar Comedy+ have ads?
Neither Solar Eclipse Timer nor Dry Bar Comedy+ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Solar Eclipse Timer or Dry Bar Comedy+?
Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, and Dry Bar Comedy+ every 3 months. Most recently, Solar Eclipse Timer was updated on September 20, 2026 and Dry Bar Comedy+ on September 22, 2026.

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