Comparison

Nixie Clocks vs Flip Clock

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

Flip Clock

Transform your device into a stylish digital or analog clock. Offers extensive customization with various styles, fonts, skins, and backgrounds. Choose between light and dark modes, 12 or 24-hour formats, and enable or disable flip animations and background sounds.

Highlights
  • Full-screen time and date display
  • Landscape and portrait modes
  • 12/24 hour format toggle
  • Dark/light mode switch
  • Flip clock and analog clock options
  • Customizable styles, fonts, and skins
  • Background sound on/off
Features
Read full description

Make time a calmer part of your day. Flip Clock turns your iPhone, iPad or Mac into a beautifully clear digital clock, with realistic flip animations, practical timers and soothing ambient sounds. Keep it beside your bed, set it on your desk or use it to give your next study session a clear beginning and end. A classic mechanical look meets the everyday tools you need, with no in-app paywall or subscription required to unlock features. A CLASSIC FLIP CLOCK, REFINED Watch the hours, minutes and seconds turn with carefully crafted mechanical motion. Large, easy-to-read numbers keep the time in focus. Choose a 12-hour or 24-hour display, show or hide seconds and the date, and hide the controls for a clean clock view. MAKE IT YOURS Match your space with Classic, Paper and Night appearances. Choose Rounded, Standard, Mono or Serif numerals for a softer, modern, technical or vintage look. Your preferred style carries across the clock, countdown and stopwatch. A QUIETER BEDSIDE DISPLAY Switch on the night preset for a dimmer clock and quieter presentation. Adjust the clock's dimming, automatically hide controls and choose whether to keep the display awake. On iPhone and iPad, use portrait or landscape. On Mac, make the clock part of your desktop setup. COUNT DOWN OR COUNT UP Set a countdown for focused work, reading or a well-earned break. Save frequently used durations as presets, or use the stopwatch to see how long a task takes. Both modes use the same distinctive flip display. Switching modes resets the previous timer so you can begin a new task with a clean start. FIND YOUR BACKGROUND SOUND Choose white, pink or brown noise, or settle into rain, ocean waves, a forest brook, gentle wind, birds, crickets or a campfire. Adjust the volume and set an automatic stop time for your listening session. Built-in sounds loop, so your session is not limited by the length of an audio track. SLEEP AND FOCUS, READY TO START Apply a Sleep or Focus scene to bring your preferred appearance, sound and timer settings together. Customize the presets to fit your evening routine or next work session. TIME AT A GLANCE On iPhone and iPad, add widgets to supported Home and Lock Screens. On Mac, add clock widgets to your desktop. Live Activities show an active countdown or stopwatch on supported iPhone and iPad systems. Use Shortcuts to start a scene or countdown, or stop ambient sound. Widget placement and Live Activities depend on your device and system version. DESIGNED TO FEEL COMFORTABLE VoiceOver support, Reduce Motion support and increased-contrast styling help make the clock easier to use. A focused interface keeps everyday controls close without crowding the time. Enjoy a familiar clock experience across iOS, iPadOS and macOS. Choose your look. Set your pace. Make a little room for calm with Flip Clock. Support Email: support@flipclocker.com Website: https://flipclocker.com Terms: https://flipclocker.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://flipclocker.com/privacy

Screenshots

Nixie Clocks4 screens
Flip Clock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Nixie Clocks at none against Flip Clock's 1. Nixie Clocks also leads on ratings volume (107 vs 28) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Flip Clock's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 73%). 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. Flip Clock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Nixie Clocks asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Flip Clock holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 107 and 28 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Nixie Clocks's written reviews are positive against 100% of Flip Clock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nixie Clocks ships an update every 4 months, Flip Clock every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Nixie Clocks versus Flip Clock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNixie ClocksFlip Clock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (107 ratings)5.0 (28 ratings) — better
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings107 — better28
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB55 MB
Age rating9+4+
Developerljezny通 张

Customer experience

Nixie Clocks

All ratings106 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral2.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive73.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative20.0%

Flip Clock

All ratings28 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews68 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Nixie Clocks

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Flip Clock

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Cannot set lock screen

Requested features

29 requests
  • Change background colors
  • Add white noise options
  • Task scheduling feature
  • Resizing to fit phone screen
  • Landscape and portrait modes
Show 24 more
  • Timed reminders with soothing music
  • Multiple looks/themes
  • Countdown feature
  • More white noise options
  • Rotation options (landscape and portrait)
  • Automatic flipping
  • Customizable font size
  • Change thickness of clock hands
  • Shrink the widget
  • Weather temperature as a plugin
  • More beautiful backgrounds
  • Add sound of the flip book
  • More customization options
  • Make each hand a different color
  • Set alarm clock
  • Full screen for bedside clock
  • Larger numbers for low vision/night use
  • Increase white noise options
  • Color of clock border to be transparent
  • More background sounds (rain, thunder, nature)
  • Change day and date colors
  • Open app of choice on click
  • Lock screen functionality
  • Brightness adjustment for numbers/letters

In-app purchases

None

Nixie Clocks

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Flip Clock

One-time1
  • Lifetime$7.99

Questions

Is Nixie Clocks free?
Nixie Clocks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Flip Clock free?
Flip Clock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Nixie Clocks or Flip Clock?
Flip Clock is rated higher. Nixie Clocks averages 4.8 out of 5 from 107 ratings, while Flip Clock averages 5.0 from 28 ratings.
Do Nixie Clocks or Flip Clock have ads?
Neither Nixie Clocks nor Flip Clock shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nixie Clocks or Flip Clock?
Nixie Clocks ships an update every 4 months, and Flip Clock every 2 weeks. Most recently, Nixie Clocks was updated on November 3, 2026 and Flip Clock on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons