Swipe Play Clock vs Elite Ref
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Swipe Play Clock
This Apple Watch app provides customizable play clock timers for sports like football and lacrosse. It features intuitive swipe controls to start timers and includes a separate game clock with alerts and programmable settings.
- Customizable play clock lengths
- Swipe up/down to start timers
- Independent game clock
- Programmable settings
- Alerts for time remaining
- Workout mode for screen primary
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Apple Watch App Only: Update for problems the swipe to start the play clock on the new 46mm Series 10 Apple Watch. Similar to the last update, start games in settings menu to start the game since previous method no longer worked. Still working to add previous features, but currently works when swiping up and down on the watch face. Crown rotation does not currently start the play clocks, hope to fix in future versions. Still programmable play clock lengths. This allows you to use the app for both (American) football and lacrosse! Easily swipe up to start the 40 second clock and swipe down to start the 25 second clock on the face of your Apple Watch so you can concentrate on the field. These play clock timers are now programmable so they can be used for other sports, such as lacrosse. Watch Tutorial at: backjudgesolutions.com For football officials using college and high school (NFHS) rules. A game clock is included as well, which runs independent from the play clock (double tap the watch face to start/stop). Instructions (w/ watch face is active/on): 1. Settings Button - Menu Screen includes: a. Start Game - This turns on workout mode for the watch which is required to run timers. b. End Game - When the game is completed, exit workout mode. c. Adjust game clock time d. Settings window 2. Swipe Up on watch face - Starts the swipe up play clock timer 3. Swipe Down on watch face - Starts the swipe down play clock timer 4. Double Touch watch face - Starts/Stops game clock Settings Window: Period Length - This is the time that the Game Clock will reset once it expires (00:00:00). If you do not have game clock responsibilities, you can set this to be your Time Out timer. 2-Minute Warning - Watch will alert you with 2 minutes left on the Game Clock Swipe Up Timer - Sets the length of the Play Clock when the clock face is swiped up (or crown rotate up), such as the 40 second play clock Swipe Down Timer - Sets the length of the Play Clock when the clock face is swiped down (or crown rotate down), such as the 25 second play clock 5 second countdown - Sends an alert every second from 5 seconds until time expires on the Play Clock 10 second alert - Sends an alert with 10 seconds left on the Play Clock 15 second alert - Sends an alert with 15 seconds left on the Play Clock 25 second alert - Sends an alert with 25 seconds left on the Play Clock While the game is running, your watch is in workout mode to keep the screen primary, I do not record any health data.
Elite Ref
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Elite Ref is the professional platform built for referees who love the game — and the federations committed to developing them. Refereeing is more than enforcing rules. It takes preparation, continuous learning, and a support system that keeps up with you. Elite Ref brings it all together. AI-POWERED MATCH ANALYSIS Get intelligent insights on your performances. Our AI co-pilot helps you break down key decisions, identify patterns across matches, and accelerate your development — going beyond traditional assessor feedback. VIDEO HUB & LEARNING Access a dedicated video library of match clips, training footage, and teaching materials curated by your federation. Study real match situations, review your own performances on video, and learn from the best — anytime, anywhere. QUIZZES & LAWS OF THE GAME Sharpen your decision-making with interactive quizzes on the Laws of the Game. Stay current with rule changes, test yourself before match day, and track your knowledge over time. MESSAGING & COLLABORATION Forget the WhatsApp groups and scattered email threads. Elite Ref gives your federation a secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging system with structured conversation threads — purpose-built for referee communication. MEETINGS & EVENTS Schedule and join meetings, training sessions, and seminars directly in the app. Access agendas, materials, and recordings in one place — no more digging through inboxes. FITNESS & PHYSICAL READINESS Track your fitness, sync wearable data, and ensure you're physically ready for every appointment. CAREER PROFILE & PROGRESSION Your assignments, evaluations, certifications, and development path — all organized and always up to date. BUILT FOR FEDERATIONS, LOVED BY REFEREES Trusted by football federations across Europe, South America, North America, and the Middle East. Each federation gets a dedicated, branded environment to manage and develop 10,000+ officials worldwide. • AI-powered analysis and insights • Video hub with match clips and training content • Interactive Laws of the Game quizzes • End-to-end encrypted messaging • Meeting scheduling with materials and recordings • Fitness tracking with wearable integration • Offline-first — works without a connection • Multi-language support Stop juggling spreadsheets, messaging apps, and email. Elite Ref is the single platform where referees prepare, learn, connect, and grow. Love the game. Ref it better.
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Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Elite Ref at Free against Swipe Play Clock's $5.99. Elite Ref also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 12 months). Swipe Play Clock's advantage is chart position (#78 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (12.2 vs 16.4). On ads, in-app purchases 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
Elite Ref is free to download; Swipe Play Clock costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Swipe Play Clock ships an update every 12 months, Elite Ref every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Swipe Play Clock | Elite Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 2.7 (26 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 38.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 26 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #78 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 132 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Back Judge Solutions LLC | Algo Dynamics Srl |
In-app purchases
Swipe Play Clock
No in-app purchases
Elite Ref
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Swipe Play Clock free?
Is Elite Ref free?
Do Swipe Play Clock or Elite Ref have ads?
Which is updated more often, Swipe Play Clock or Elite Ref?
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