Swipe Play Clock vs Officiating Journal
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.
Officiating Journal
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Officiating Journal is the game log built for working sports officials: football, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, volleyball, track, ice hockey, wrestling, lacrosse, and flag football. LOG EVERY ASSIGNMENT Record the matchup, level, rules, division, conference, venue, crew, and your position. Log during the game (quick taps for scoring plays, fouls, timeouts, and reviews, with a live running score) or fill in the full card afterward. Each sport gets its own periods, crew positions, and event types, and NFHS, NCAA, pro, and youth rulebooks change what you log. Add photos of the crew, scoreboard, or field to any game; they stay on your device. ASSIGNMENTS ON YOUR CALENDAR Schedule a game the moment the assignor sends it, or import your ArbiterSports schedule. Upcoming games sit at the top of your list, and one tap puts them on Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, or Outlook with kickoff, arrival time, and venue. On game day, tap Start logging. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (PRO) Game fees with unpaid, invoiced, and paid status; mileage as reimbursement or tax deduction at the IRS rate for each game's date; travel expenses; season insights; and a tax-year packet with a 1099-by-assignor report for your accountant. Pro is a one-time purchase. Logging is free, forever. YOUR DATA STAYS YOURS Works offline. Everything lives on your device unless you create an optional account to sync between phone, tablet, and the web app at officiatingjournal.app. Sync is end-to-end encrypted with a passphrase only you know, so we can't read your games. Back up, export a spreadsheet, delete your account, or move to a new phone any time. Built by an official's family, for officials.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Officiating Journal at Free against Swipe Play Clock's $5.99. Officiating Journal also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 12 months). Swipe Play Clock's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#71 vs unranked). On 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
Officiating Journal is free to download; Swipe Play Clock costs $5.99 up front. Officiating Journal sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Swipe Play Clock asks for nothing beyond the download.
Swipe Play Clock ships an update every 12 months, Officiating Journal daily. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Swipe Play Clock | Officiating Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 2.8 (27 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 38.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 27 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #71 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Back Judge Solutions LLC | Murray Movement Labs LLC |
In-app purchases
Swipe Play Clock
No in-app purchases
Officiating Journal
- Pro Unlock$9.99
Questions
Is Swipe Play Clock free?
Is Officiating Journal free?
Do Swipe Play Clock or Officiating Journal have ads?
Which is updated more often, Swipe Play Clock or Officiating Journal?
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