Comparison

Zen Flip Clock vs BuddyNotes

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

Head to head
About

Zen Flip Clock

This app offers a minimalist clock experience with multiple themes and powerful focus tools. It functions as a fullscreen desk clock and includes a Pomodoro timer, stopwatch, and hourly chime to help manage time and improve productivity.

Highlights
  • Multiple clock themes (flip, digital, minimalist)
  • Fullscreen desk clock functionality
  • Pomodoro timer for focused work sessions
  • Stopwatch for timing tasks
  • Hourly chime for routine building
  • Time usage statistics
  • Home and lock screen widgets
Features
Read full description

Zen Flip Clock A minimalist flip clock, desk clock, and focus timer designed to make time clear, simple, and easy to follow. Choose from multiple clock themes, including flip clock, digital clock, and minimalist styles. Use it as a fullscreen clock for studying, working, focusing, or as a clean nightstand clock. Open the app and start right away. Why Zen Flip Clock More than just a clock, Zen Flip Clock is a simple tool for focus and time management. From study sessions and focused work to everyday timing, it helps you stay aware of your time and make every minute count. Key Features Multiple Clock Themes Choose from flip clock, digital clock, and minimalist clock designs. Use your favorite theme as a desk clock, fullscreen clock, or nightstand clock for work, study, and everyday use. Pomodoro Timer Stay focused with the built-in Pomodoro timer. Perfect for studying, reading, working, and other tasks that require concentration. Count Up Timer Track elapsed time for studying, workouts, meditation, reading, and everyday activities. Hourly Chime Stay aware of time with hourly chimes and customizable reminders. Build better routines for work, study, and daily life. Focus Statistics Track your focus time and usage to better understand how you spend your time. Personalization Multiple Themes Switch between a variety of minimalist clock themes, from classic flip clock designs to clean digital styles. Smooth Animations Enjoy clean, natural, and fluid clock animations designed for a calm visual experience. Home & Lock Screen Widgets View the time at a glance with Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets without opening the app. Easy Controls Swipe left for Pomodoro Swipe right for Count Up Timer Tap to open Settings Whether you need a flip clock for your desk, a fullscreen digital clock for studying, a Pomodoro timer for focused work, or a simple nightstand clock, Zen Flip Clock keeps time clear and focus simple. Make time visible. Stay focused. Contact & Legal ▸ Bug Reports & Feedback: minimalsoftwarestudio@gmail.com ▸ Terms of Use: https://minimalsoftwarestudio.feishu.cn/docs/doccnK7LrYMwBFdr7SRl4qQv2lb

About

BuddyNotes

Features
Read full description

BuddyNotes is your private dating journal for remembering the people, places, and moments that shaped your love life — with no account, cloud sync, or social feed. YOUR HISTORY, ORGANIZED • Save every story with a first name or nickname, city, relationship type, date or date range, tags, and personal notes. • Find any entry quickly with search, filters, and sorting. • Write down memories, feelings, and anecdotes without ratings or judgment. SEE THE STORY BEHIND THE STORIES • BuddyMap places your memories on a personal map, helping you revisit the locations that mattered. • BuddyWrapped creates an anonymized look back at time periods, cities, relationship types, tags, and patterns in your journal. • Share only the summaries you choose through your device’s system share sheet. PRIVATE BY DESIGN • Your journal is stored locally in an encrypted database on your device. • No account, no cloud sync, and no public profile. • Protect access with Face ID or Touch ID. • Create a password-protected encrypted backup and restore it on another device. BuddyNotes is not a dating service: there is no chat, matching, or introduction feature. It is a personal space to remember, reflect, and understand your journey. BuddyWrapped and the ad-free experience are available through a one-time in-app purchase. No subscription.

Screenshots

Zen Flip Clock4 screens
BuddyNotes2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Zen Flip Clock at none against BuddyNotes's shown. Zen Flip Clock also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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. Zen Flip Clock sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and BuddyNotes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Zen Flip Clock ships an update every 2 weeks, BuddyNotes weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and July 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Zen Flip Clock versus BuddyNotes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZen Flip ClockBuddyNotes
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (6.2K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews71.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings6.2K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size104 MB43 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperChaoyang Minimal Software StudioMickael Barthemy

Bugs and requests

Zen Flip Clock

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Time display inaccuracies
  • Widget freezing and displaying incorrect time
  • Pomodoro timer not working as expected
  • Compatibility issues with latest iOS updates
  • App crashing or becoming unresponsive

Requested features

8 requests
  • Add alarm functionality
  • Implement live activities support
  • Allow custom pomodoro timer durations
  • Provide more theme/color options
  • Add world clock/timezone support
Show 3 more
  • Enable screen lock/password protection
  • Improve widget behavior and reliability
  • Introduce a timer mode (countdown)

BuddyNotes

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Zen Flip Clock

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro3 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$4.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$9.99
1 purchases

BuddyNotes

One-time1
  • BodyGame Wrapped$0.99

Questions

Is Zen Flip Clock free?
Zen Flip Clock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BuddyNotes free?
BuddyNotes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Zen Flip Clock or BuddyNotes have ads?
BuddyNotes shows ads; Zen Flip Clock does not.
Which is updated more often, Zen Flip Clock or BuddyNotes?
Zen Flip Clock ships an update every 2 weeks, and BuddyNotes weekly. Most recently, Zen Flip Clock was updated on September 24, 2026 and BuddyNotes on July 22, 2026.

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