AtomicClock vs TimeWave
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AtomicClock
This app displays the exact current time synchronized with NTP servers, offering a customizable clock view for precise time checks. It's ideal for setting watches, verifying timestamps, or comparing local and network time.
- Precise time from NTP servers
- Customizable clock faces
- Select or add time servers
- Local and UTC views
- 12/24 hour modes
- Customizable time format
- Acoustic ticking
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Check precise NTP reference time at a glance. AtomicClock helps you set watches, wall clocks, cameras, and other devices, compare local time with UTC, and follow moments when every second matters. Clear analog and digital time AtomicClock displays current time from NTP servers that reference atomic clocks. Choose a predefined server or add your own, then view local or UTC time in a clean analog or digital clock. Customize your reference clock • Switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time • Customize the time format • Choose from multiple clock faces and hands • Use a smooth, fluid second hand • Add acoustic ticking or the Greenwich Time Signal • Tap the screen to hide information and controls, freeze the display, or mute ticking Details for precise time checks View technical NTP information, including round-trip time and server stratum. Whether you are checking a timestamp, preparing a camera, aligning a wall clock, or setting a watch by hand, the seconds remain clear and easy to follow. AtomicClock is free to use. AtomicClock Pro is available as a one-time purchase with no subscription. It unlocks your preferred clock face, hands, and font, removes ads, and includes upcoming Pro features. AtomicClock displays NTP reference time for comparison and does not change your device’s system time. Results can vary with the selected server, network conditions, and device behavior.
TimeWave
This app simulates radio-controlled clock signals to help your watch synchronize its time when terrestrial signals are unavailable. It offers guides for popular watch brands and checks environmental conditions before transmission.
- Radio-controlled clock signal simulation
- Support for multiple international time signals
- Environment pre-check and recommendations
- Smart output tuning for various audio paths
- Local time mode for overseas watches
- Watch-specific synchronization guides
- Live signal visualization and sync history
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TimeWave is a professional time-signal simulator designed for radio-controlled watches and clocks. When your watch cannot reliably receive a terrestrial time signal, TimeWave can generate a compatible time code through your iPhone or iPad speaker, wired headphones, or supported Bluetooth audio devices. This helps your watch perform manual reception and synchronize its time wherever you are. No ads. No account required. No personal data uploaded. Core synchronization features work offline. SUPPORTED TIME SIGNALS • BPC — China • JJY40 / JJY60 — Japan • WWVB — United States • MSF — United Kingdom • DCF77 — Germany KEY FEATURES ENVIRONMENT PRE-CHECK Before transmission begins, TimeWave checks device volume, battery level, ambient noise, and magnetic-field conditions. It then provides practical recommendations to help reduce common synchronization failures. SMART OUTPUT TUNING TimeWave adjusts signal parameters for different audio output paths, including the built-in speaker, wired headphones, and supported Bluetooth audio devices, helping maintain a stable transmission. LOCAL TIME MODE Designed for imported and overseas watch models. Generate a compatible time signal using your selected local time zone, making it easier to synchronize watches that do not support your local transmitter. WATCH-SPECIFIC GUIDES Follow step-by-step guides for popular radio-controlled watches from Casio G-Shock and Multiband 6, Citizen Eco-Drive, Seiko, Junghans, Braun, and more. Guides may include: • Manual reception instructions • Antenna-position diagrams • Recommended watch placement • Reception-status indicators • Troubleshooting suggestions Actual compatibility depends on the watch model and the time-signal standard it supports. MULTIPLE PLACEMENT METHODS View clear diagrams for positioning your watch near an iPhone or iPad speaker, wired headphone cable, or supported audio device. OUTPUT PROTECTION TimeWave controls signal amplitude according to the selected output path and provides warnings when device conditions may be unsuitable for transmission. LIVE SIGNAL VISUALIZATION Watch the current time code and transmission waveform in real time, with a clear view of progress and remaining time. SYNC HISTORY Save synchronization sessions and record whether each attempt succeeded or failed. Review previous attempts to compare stations, placement methods, and device settings. PRIVATE AND OFFLINE TimeWave does not require an account and does not upload your personal data. Core time-signal generation and watch guides are available offline. HOW TO USE 1. Choose a supported time-signal station or enable Local Time Mode. 2. Put your watch into manual reception mode. On some G-Shock models, this may be shown as RC, RX, or GET. 3. Position the watch antenna close to your iPhone or iPad speaker, wired headphone cable, or supported audio device, following the in-app diagram. 4. Increase the volume and keep both the watch and device still. 5. Start transmission and wait approximately 2–10 minutes. Check the reception indicator on your watch to confirm the result. TIPS FOR BETTER RECEPTION • Keep the watch and device away from chargers, power adapters, computers, televisions, speakers, and other sources of electromagnetic interference. • Watch reception depends on the model, antenna direction, volume, output device, placement, and surrounding environment. • If your imported watch does not support your local transmitter, select a compatible signal standard and use Local Time Mode when needed. • For the best results, select your watch brand or model in TimeWave and follow the recommended placement guide. TimeWave is an independent utility and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any watch manufacturer or time-signal authority. Brand and product names are used only to describe compatibility. Questions or suggestions? Contact: [fish2next@gmail.com](mailto:fish2next@gmail.com)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: AtomicClock at 85% against TimeWave's 0%. AtomicClock also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and ratings volume (5.5K vs 18). TimeWave's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, in-app purchases, 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
Both are free to download. AtomicClock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and TimeWave sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
AtomicClock holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AtomicClock has 5.5K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of AtomicClock's written reviews are positive against 0% of TimeWave's.
AtomicClock ships an update every 3 weeks, TimeWave weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AtomicClock | TimeWave |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (5.5K ratings) — better | 4.4 (18 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 84.5% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5.5K — better | 18 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Timo Partl | 毅 何 |
Customer experience
AtomicClock
TimeWave
Bugs and requests
AtomicClock
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes on certain iOS versions
- Occasional freezing of hands
- Countdown timer sound not working
Requested features
5 requests- Add GMT/dual time display
- Implement widget support
- Add different second hand sounds
- Allow setting background color to match watch
- Include alarm/timer functionality
TimeWave
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
AtomicClock
- Lifetime Pro Version$6.99
TimeWave
- Buy Me a Coffee$0.99
- Lifetime Membership$3.99









