Comparison

Sand Timer vs Big Timer

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

Head to head
About

Sand Timer

This app provides a visually engaging and intuitive way to track time with realistic sand flow animations. It's perfect for various activities like studying, workouts, or cooking, offering customizable themes and sound alerts to keep you on track.

Highlights
  • Realistic sand flow animation
  • Adjustable timer settings
  • Multiple timers management
  • Customizable themes
  • Sound alerts
Features
Read full description

Looking for a simple, reliable timer for your activities? Whether you’re timing a study session, a workout, or simply need a quick way to track time, Sand Timer has you covered! With its realistic sand flow animation, you’ll experience the soothing and intuitive feel of a traditional hourglass, right on your phone. Sand Timer offers a simple, visually engaging way to keep track of time, whether you’re managing your productivity, setting a cooking timer, or just need a quick countdown. It’s easy to set, fun to use, and helps you stay on track for all your timing needs. Top Features You’ll Love: Sand Animation – Watch the sand flow smoothly through the timer, providing a calming and visually pleasing experience while you track your time. Adjustable Timer Settings – Set the timer for any duration you need, from seconds to hours, with the ability to quickly adjust for all types of activities. Multiple Timers – Create and manage multiple timers at once to keep track of various tasks simultaneously. Customizable Themes – Choose from a variety of themes to match your style, whether you prefer a minimalist design or a more vibrant look. Sound Alerts – Get notified when your time is up with a sound alert, making sure you never miss an important moment. Who Can Use Sand Timer? Sand Timer is perfect for anyone who needs a simple, elegant timer. Whether you’re a student needing a Pomodoro timer, a cook timing recipes, or someone just needing a visual countdown, Sand Timer is easy to use and designed to fit your needs. Download Sand Timer today and add a little more calm and focus to your day! EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Big Timer

This utility app features large, easy-to-read text for simple stopwatch and countdown timer functions. It's designed for quick visibility from a distance, making it ideal for straightforward timekeeping needs.

Highlights
  • Large, easy-to-read display
  • Stopwatch functionality
  • Countdown timer functionality
  • Simple interface
Features
Read full description

Large letters make it easy to see and read even from a distance It can be used simply as a stopwatch or countdown timer.

Screenshots

Sand Timer4 screens
Big Timer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Sand Timer at 3.8 against Big Timer's 3.0. Sand Timer also leads on ratings volume (150 vs 6). Big Timer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Sand Timer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Big Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sand Timer holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sand Timer has 150 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 6% of Sand Timer's written reviews are positive against 20% of Big Timer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sand Timer ships an update every 8 months, Big Timer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Sand Timer versus Big Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSand TimerBig Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (150 ratings) — better3.0 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews6.5% of reviews20.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings150 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVicki PartridgeRyouhei Azuma

Customer experience

Sand Timer

All ratings150 ratings
Positive64.7%
Neutral8.7%
Negative26.7%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive6.5%
Neutral4.8%
Negative88.7%

Big Timer

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative60.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Sand Timer

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$1.99
None

Big Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sand Timer free?
Sand Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Big Timer free?
Big Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Sand Timer or Big Timer?
Sand Timer is rated higher. Sand Timer averages 3.8 out of 5 from 150 ratings, while Big Timer averages 3.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Sand Timer or Big Timer have ads?
Both Sand Timer and Big Timer show ads.
Which is updated more often, Sand Timer or Big Timer?
Sand Timer ships an update every 8 months, and Big Timer every 2 months. Most recently, Sand Timer was updated on October 11, 2026 and Big Timer on October 7, 2026.

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