Comparison

Nixie Clocks vs Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget

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

Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget

Transform your device into a customizable bedside clock with various themes and dynamic backgrounds. Enjoy features like fullscreen display, seconds with three decimal places, and picture-in-picture functionality. Set countdowns with sound reminders for important events.

Highlights
  • Fullscreen clock display (horizontal/vertical)
  • Customizable clock themes and dynamic backgrounds
  • Seconds display with three decimal places
  • Picture-in-picture functionality
  • Countdown timers with sound reminders
  • Phone standby mode for charging
Features
Read full description

This is a versatile life tool application providing convenient time viewing features. With exquisite widgets, you can instantly check the current time and date at a glance. Customizable clock widgets allow you to choose different clock styles and themes to meet your personal preferences. Additionally, we offer the following upgraded features to turn your phone screen into an uninterrupted time assistant: Toggle fullscreen clock between horizontal and vertical display: Easily toggle between digital and traditional clock styles. Large, easily readable digits simulate a real clock, allowing you to change the display mode according to your preferences. Seconds Display with Three Decimal Places: Accurate timekeeping ensures a finer understanding of time. Exquisite Clock Widget Themes: Personalize your screen with diverse and beautifully designed clock widget themes, including "Electronic Clock," "Dark Clock," "Light Clock," "Moon Clock," "Black and White Clock," "Border Electronic Clock," "Date Clock," "Nordic Clock," "Minimalist Clock," "Ultra-minimalist Clock," "Starry Sky Clock," and many more. Dynamic Clock Backgrounds: Unique dynamic backgrounds make the clock more lively and interesting, providing a visual feast for your device. Enjoy these dynamic backgrounds with soothing music to help you relax and promote better sleep. Picture-in-Picture Functionality: Utilize the picture-in-picture feature to float the clock widget above other applications, allowing you to check the time without interrupting ongoing tasks. It can also assist you in quick purchases during urgent time-sensitive events. Countdown with Sound Reminders: Set countdowns with personalized sound reminders, ensuring timely notifications through both visual and auditory cues for important events or tasks. Support for Phone Standby Mode: In charging mode, the clock widget enters standby mode, serving as a digital bedside table clock. Conveniently check the time during the night without disturbances. —————————————————————————————————— Subscription service: Payment: Debit through the user's iTunes account, and the user will pay after confirming the purchase, providing a variety of subscription models for free choice. Renewal: The Apple iTunes account will deduct the fee within 24 hours before the expiration date. After the deduction is successful, the subscription period will be extended by 1 subscription period. Cancel renewal: To cancel renewal, please manually turn off the automatic renewal function in Settings/Apple ID 24 hours before the current subscription expires.

Screenshots

Nixie Clocks4 screens
Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Nixie Clocks at 4.8 against Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget's 3.5. Nixie Clocks also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 73%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, 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. Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. 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 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nixie Clocks has 107 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 73% of Nixie Clocks's written reviews are positive against 100% of Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nixie Clocks ships an update every 4 months, Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Nixie Clocks versus Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNixie ClocksNightstand Desk Clock & Widget
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (107 ratings) — better3.5 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews73.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings107 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB84 MB
Age rating9+4+
Developerljezny小玲 黄

Customer experience

Nixie Clocks

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

Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Nixie Clocks

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget

Subscriptions2
  • monthly subscription7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Monthly Pro7 Days trial$1.991 Month
One-time4
  • Widget Pack$0.99
  • Live Pack$2.99
  • PIP Pack$2.99
Show 1 more
  • lifetime membership$9.99

Questions

Is Nixie Clocks free?
Nixie Clocks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget free?
Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Nixie Clocks or Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget?
Nixie Clocks is rated higher. Nixie Clocks averages 4.8 out of 5 from 107 ratings, while Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget averages 3.5 from 4 ratings.
Do Nixie Clocks or Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget have ads?
Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget shows ads; Nixie Clocks does not.
Which is updated more often, Nixie Clocks or Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget?
Nixie Clocks ships an update every 4 months, and Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget every 3 weeks. Most recently, Nixie Clocks was updated on November 3, 2026 and Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget on November 3, 2026.

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