Comparison

Cue vs Show Timer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Cue

Features
Read full description

CueMe is an App into the CueiT prompting software application that opens up the ability for presenters and production staff to preview scripts in real time on their mobile devices, whether in the studio or on location, eliminating the need for printed copies. CueMe interacts with CueiT’s new API to allow a user to see active rundowns and scripts within their CueiT application, on a mobile or tablet device, with zoom functions for ease of viewing and personal font size preference. This allows users to browse current and upcoming scripts, without affecting the on-camera prompt, and see updates in real-time with auto-refresh. The app has support for both LTR and RTL languages. There is no limit to the number of users in a production that can use CueMe, and the app is also capable of connecting to multiple CueiT applications and remembering those locations so users can easily move between studios in a larger facility. CueMe will require a license add-on to the CueiT prompting software.

About

Show Timer

Features
Read full description

Show Timer is a powerful, minimalist and performer-focused visual timer that helps you stay on track without breaking your flow. Whether you're on stage, hosting an event, leading a workshop or giving a talk, Show Timer lets you manage time silently using bold, colour-coded cues - green, yellow and red - so you and your team know exactly where you are in the set. No clocks in the venue? No tech support? No problem. Show Timer turns your phone into a silent, colour-changing cue light - ideal for self-managed performances, talks or group work where staying on time matters. Built for performers by performers, Show Timer was designed with comedians, improvisers, actors and workshop leaders in mind. Put your phone at the side of the stage, on a stool or backstage. The screen colour will change at key points during your show, letting you see at a glance when to keep going, when to wrap up and when time’s up - without pulling focus or relying on someone else. TIMER MODES 1. Timer Counts up from 0. Always starts green. You can specify when it turns yellow and red. It keeps counting up forever - ideal for open-ended sets or rehearsals. 2. Duration Counts down from a set time. Starts green, turns yellow when you choose and red at the end (default red is at 0:00). After hitting zero, it starts counting up in negative numbers - great for tracking overruns or managing strict time slots. 3. Clock Displays the current time in green. You can set a time for it to turn yellow or red, for example from 19:00 to 19:50. Great for festival shows, conferences or classes with set start and end times. DISPLAY MODES 1. Border The screen background stays black, with a bright green/yellow/red border. Time is shown in white text - ideal for low-light settings or backstage use. 2. Background The full screen changes to green, yellow or red. The time is displayed in contrasting text. Great for mid-stage visibility. 3. Background Only Full background colour with no visible text (time is technically shown in a very faint colour to indicate that the app is still running). Designed for group use or immersive settings where you only want to see the cue, not the clock. FEATURES Keeps running even when you close and reopen the app Saves your active timer and preferences between sessions Screen never goes to sleep while a timer is running No ads, no sound, no distractions - just clean, visual timing WHO IT’S FOR Show Timer is used by performers, presenters and teams across many contexts: Stand-up comedians Improv teams and sketch groups Spoken word artists and poets Solo shows and festival acts Workshop leaders and facilitators Teachers and educators Speakers, MCs and panel moderators Therapists and mindfulness coaches Productivity timers and deep work sessions Game nights and group challenges ABOUT PLAYFACE Show Timer is built by Playface - a collective creating playful tools and training for comedians, facilitators and creatives. We also run: Clown and comedy workshops in London and online Creativity tools and solo devising resources Digital and physical tools for performers Learn more at https://www.playface.fun DOWNLOAD TODAY Skip the stress. Skip the guessing. Show Timer gives you the confidence to stay on track, on stage and in the flow - all at a glance. Have feedback? We’d love to hear from you. Email contact@playface.fun

Screenshots

Cue4 screens
Show Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cue at Free against Show Timer's $2.99. Cue also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.4). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Cue is free to download; Show Timer costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cue ships an update every 17 months, Show Timer every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Cue versus Show Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCueShow Timer
PriceFree β€” better$2.99
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsEvery 14 months β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 β€” better16.4
Further details β€” not scored
Size35 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCueScriptCharlie Jackson

In-app purchases

None

Cue

No in-app purchases

None

Show Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cue free?
Cue is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Show Timer free?
Show Timer costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cue or Show Timer have ads?
Neither Cue nor Show Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cue or Show Timer?
Cue ships an update every 17 months, and Show Timer every 14 months. Most recently, Cue was updated on September 14, 2026 and Show Timer on September 19, 2026.

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