# Gateway vs Countdown Widget

The clearest difference is update cadence: Gateway at every 6 days against Countdown Widget's monthly. Gateway also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Countdown Widget's advantage is review sentiment (68% vs 60%) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Gateway sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Countdown Widget sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Gateway holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 61 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 60% of Gateway's written reviews are positive against 68% of Countdown Widget's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Gateway ships an update every 6 days, Countdown Widget monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Gateway | Countdown Widget |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gateway-mac-remote-and-trackpad/id1502021235/reviews)** | [4.6 (61 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-widget-day-count/id6503949471/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 20 | **61** |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | **68.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 108 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Momentous Studio Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1502021234) | [Simone Montalto](https://appshunter.io/developer/1491658868) |

## What reviewers say

### Gateway

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gateway-mac-remote-and-trackpad/id1502021235)

Control your Mac remotely from your iPhone or iPad. Create custom actions to launch applications, files, or perform tasks with a single tap. Manage active applications and even quit them directly from your mobile device.

**Highlights:** Remote Mac control without WiFi limitations, One-tap access to Mac functions, Customizable actions for macOS and apps, Launch multiple items with a single tap, Stream Deck functionality, Organize actions with Spaces, Home screen widgets for actions

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Gateway Premium | $0.99 | per month |
| Gateway Premium | $9.99 | per year |
| VLC Playback Control | Free | one-time |
| AppleMusic Playback Control | Free | one-time |
| Podcasts Shortcut | Free | one-time |
| Single-Tap Screenshots | $0.99 | one-time |
| Force Quit Shortcuts | $0.99 | one-time |
| Spotify | $2.99 | one-time |
| Final Cut Pro X Shortcuts | $3.99 | one-time |
| Affinity Designer Shortcuts | $3.99 | one-time |
| Easter Bundle | $6.99 | one-time |
| Files + QuickLaunch | $9.99 | one-time |
| Life Time | $99.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Access | $149.99 | one-time |


### Countdown Widget

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-widget-day-count/id6503949471)

Easily track important dates with customizable countdowns. See days remaining for events, birthdays, and goals directly on your home screen or lock screen. Get reminders so you never miss a special occasion.

**Highlights:** Personalized countdown events, Home screen widgets, Live Activities on Lock Screen, Notifications and reminders, Apple Watch app, iCloud sync

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Countdown Widget Pro | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Gateway free?

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

### Is Countdown Widget free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Gateway or Countdown Widget?

Gateway is rated higher. Gateway averages 4.8 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Countdown Widget averages 4.6 from 61 ratings.

### Do Gateway or Countdown Widget have ads?

Neither Gateway nor Countdown Widget shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Gateway or Countdown Widget?

Gateway ships an update every 6 days, and Countdown Widget monthly. Most recently, Gateway was updated on September 9, 2026 and Countdown Widget on September 26, 2026.

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