Comparison

Nixie Clocks vs rqlock

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

Head to head
About

Nixie Clocks

This device displays time using vintage-style Nixie tubes, offering automatic internet time synchronization and online settings management. It features silent operation, extended tube life through direct drive, and cathode poisoning prevention. Users can also enjoy customizable RGB underlighting and remote firmware updates.

Highlights
  • Internet time synchronization
  • Online settings management
  • Silent operation
  • Direct driven Nixie tubes
  • Cathode poisoning prevention
  • RGB underlighting
  • Online firmware updates
Features
Read full description

Zen Nixie Clock is our first 6-tube clock designed using R|Z568M nixie tubes from our production. The case is designed in a minimalistic way, combining simple aluminum stand and a glass cover – just like a museum vitrine. Thanks to its simple shapes, the clock suits every interior – especially offices, living rooms... Zen Nixie Clock features Internet connection – the clock contains a wifi module and is designed to operate online. The time is automatically synchronized from network, so you don’t have to do it manually and there are no other devices necessary (no GPS modules, radio modules etc..). In case of power loss, the clock remembers all the settings and time will be synchronized automatically from internet. Easy online settings – all settings of the Zen Nixie Clock can be controlled online from your user account on our website. No need to search for user guide anytime you want to make changes in settings! Silent circuitry – the clock is absolutely silent, there is no audible noise produced by its electronic parts. Direct driven design – nixie tubes are driven directly, this prolongs their lifetime. Common practice is to use multiplexed driving circuit (which is easier to manufacture and cheaper), but such a driving circuit shorten nixie tube lifetime. Cathode poisoning prevention – the clock can periodically run a cathode poisoning prevention routine. This helps to keep all digits of all tubes in good condition. Rotary knob – for offline users, there is a rotary knob on the back of the board. Using this knob, user can enter into settings menu and do the settings manually. This feature is still in development. Online firmware update – the integrated wifi module makes online firmware updates possible. Whenever there is a new firmware update (new features, bug fixes), your clock can be updated remotely. No blue spot – there are no blue spots in the tubes known from some other clocks (especially clocks built with IN-18 nixie tubes). Colon tubes – the clock support our colon tubes (in development), they will match design of the nixie tubes (by base and internal structure). RGB underlight – there are 8 RGB leds (WS2812B – “neopixels”) on the bottom of the board which make some cool effects possible. Purist customers who prefers nixie tube glow only can set the underlight off. This feature is in development!

About

rqlock

This application displays the time with numbers that rotate in a 3D dimension. Customize the appearance with different GUI types, rotation speeds, and background colors. Enjoy the dynamic visual experience on your iPhone or iPad.

Highlights
  • 3D rotating numbers
  • Adjustable rotation speed
  • Customizable background colors
  • Multiple GUI types
  • iPhone and iPad support
Features
Read full description

"rqlock" is a clock app for iPhone and iPad that displays the time with numbers rotating in 3D dimension. ■ Features 1. Includes 3 different types of GUI. 2. Changes the rotation speed of numbers. 3. Changes the background color between black and white. Enjoy the 3D movement of the numbers! ■ Subscription Please refer to the following for terms and conditions regarding the use of subscriptions. 1. Privacy policy: https://rqlock.com/privacy-policy 2. Terms of use: https://rqlock.com/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Nixie Clocks4 screens
rqlock3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Nixie Clocks at 4.8 against rqlock's 3.0. Nixie Clocks also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (106 vs 2). rqlock's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 4 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. rqlock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. Nixie Clocks asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Nixie Clocks holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nixie Clocks has 106 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of Nixie Clocks's written reviews are positive against 50% of rqlock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nixie Clocks ships an update every 4 months, rqlock every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Nixie Clocks versus rqlock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNixie Clocksrqlock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (106 ratings) — better3.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews71.4% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings106 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB1 MB
Age rating9+4+
Developerljeznyokashige0319

Customer experience

Nixie Clocks

All ratings106 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive71.4%
Neutral7.1%
Negative21.4%

rqlock

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Nixie Clocks

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

rqlock

Subscriptions1
  • Annual subscription$0.991 Year
One-time1
  • Developer support$1.99

Questions

Is Nixie Clocks free?
Nixie Clocks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is rqlock free?
rqlock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Nixie Clocks or rqlock?
Nixie Clocks is rated higher. Nixie Clocks averages 4.8 out of 5 from 106 ratings, while rqlock averages 3.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Nixie Clocks or rqlock have ads?
Neither Nixie Clocks nor rqlock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nixie Clocks or rqlock?
Nixie Clocks ships an update every 4 months, and rqlock every 2 days. Most recently, Nixie Clocks was updated on October 15, 2026 and rqlock on October 3, 2026.

Other comparisons