# Bakery vs Gentle Timer

Bakery and Gentle Timer both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Gentle Timer's written reviews are positive against 64% of Bakery's. Gentle Timer also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 weeks). Bakery's advantage is iOS requirement (12.4 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bakery sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Gentle Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Bakery against 4.6 for Gentle Timer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 827 and 354 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 64% of Bakery's written reviews are positive against 100% of Gentle Timer's.

Bakery ships an update every 6 weeks, Gentle Timer every 3 days. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bakery | Gentle Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (827 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bakery-study-timer/id1441084360/reviews) | [4.6 (354 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gentle-timer-visual-countdown/id6738017755/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **827** | 354 |
| Positive reviews | 64.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 35 MB | 203 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.4** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mighty Fine Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/973529494) | [JOHNNY LI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1778905380) |

## What reviewers say

### Bakery

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bakery-study-timer/id1441084360)

This app encourages users to stay off their phones and focus on real-life tasks like studying or work. It uses a gamified timer where users select a virtual pastry to bake, with the bake progressing while the screen is off. Successful bakes earn coins to unlock new recipes and baked goods.

**Highlights:** Gamified focus timer, Virtual pastry baking, Screen-off timer functionality, Earn coins for successful bakes, Unlock new recipes and baked goods, Progress tracking in display case

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Clean Slate | $0.99 | one-time |
| Classics Recipe Book | $0.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💫 Cute and motivating design
- 🔒 Keeps user off distracting apps
- 🚀 Helps with productivity and focus

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App glitches and bugs
- ⏱️ Lack of pause/break feature
- 💰 Expensive to unlock new recipes

**Reported bugs**

- App resets and loses progress
- Baked goods burn even without using phone
- Unable to exit tutorial or shop screens

**Requested features**

- Add more dessert options
- Implement a total study time tracker
- Allow music playback during sessions
- Include a to-do list or calendar integration


### Gentle Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gentle-timer-visual-countdown/id6738017755)

This app offers a visually appealing, ad-free timer for focus, productivity, and managing children's routines. It supports various timer types, including countdown, Pomodoro, and interval, with extensive customization options for backgrounds, music, and themes. It also includes helpful everyday tools like a calculator and breathing exercises.

**Highlights:** Visual countdown timers, Pomodoro focus sessions, Interval training timers, Multi timer support, Customizable backgrounds and music, Everyday utility tools

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Go Premium | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 😍 Adorable and cute visuals
- 🎵 Fun and pleasant music/sounds
- 👍 Smooth, snappy, and easy to use
- 🎨 Artistic and whimsical design
- 🚀 Great functionality and performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 More free options desired
- 🔇 Occasional sound issues (no sound)
- 📱 Landscape mode not supported
- ⏳ Seconds not displayed on countdown
- ⬆️ Seconds set in increments of 10

**Reported bugs**

- No sound issues reported
- Seconds not displayed on countdown
- Landscape mode not working

**Requested features**

- More free options
- Landscape mode support
- Ability to set specific seconds
- Toggle off motion on settings menu
- Cat character option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bakery free?

Bakery is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Gentle Timer free?

Gentle Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Bakery or Gentle Timer?

Bakery and Gentle Timer are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 827 and 354 ratings respectively.

### Do Bakery or Gentle Timer have ads?

Neither Bakery nor Gentle Timer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bakery or Gentle Timer?

Bakery ships an update every 6 weeks, and Gentle Timer every 3 days. Most recently, Bakery was updated on September 22, 2026 and Gentle Timer on September 22, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*