# (Not Boring) Timer vs AlarmChess

The clearest difference is review sentiment: (Not Boring) Timer at 68% against AlarmChess's 33%. (Not Boring) Timer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 17). AlarmChess's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. (Not Boring) Timer sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and AlarmChess sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

(Not Boring) Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: (Not Boring) Timer has 2.6K ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of (Not Boring) Timer's written reviews are positive against 33% of AlarmChess's.

(Not Boring) Timer ships an update monthly, AlarmChess weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | (Not Boring) Timer | AlarmChess |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (2.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/not-boring-timer/id1531048091/reviews)** | [4.6 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alarmchess/id6756176866/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.6K** | 17 |
| Positive reviews | **68.5% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 217 MB | 92 MB |
| Requires iOS | **26.0** | 26.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Not Boring Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1531048093) | [Ming Kang Siow](https://appshunter.io/developer/1858862011) |

## What reviewers say

### (Not Boring) Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/not-boring-timer/id1531048091)

This app offers a visually engaging and intuitive timer experience, inspired by simple egg timers. It features a unique overshoot function, a game-like interface with 3D animations, and customizable skins. Widgets provide quick access to timers for daily routines.

**Highlights:** Overshoot and stopwatch modes, Game-like 3D interface, Large, readable display, Customizable skins, Home screen widgets, Screen always on option

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Super !Boring Monthly | $7.99 | per month |
| Super !Boring Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Andy Skin | $4.99 | one-time |
| Chroma Skin | $4.99 | one-time |
| Monsters Skin | $4.99 | one-time |
| Opal Skin | $9.99 | one-time |
| Karat Skin | $9.99 | one-time |
| Cedar Skin | $9.99 | one-time |
| !Timer Plus Lifetime | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and beautiful design
- 🎨 Visually appealing with different skins
- 🔊 Great background music and sound effects
- 💡 Minimalist and fun to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔍 Limited timer options (only up to 90 minutes)
- ⏱️ No option to set timers in seconds
- 🔒 Subscription-based model
- 🤔 Confusing for some users on how to use

**Reported bugs**

- Widget doesn't always start the timer correctly
- Sound doesn't work when phone is on silent mode

**Requested features**

- Add support for longer timers (over 90 minutes)
- Implement seconds option for more precise timing
- Integrate with Dynamic Island on newer iPhones
- Add alarm functionality
- Allow users to set custom timer intervals


### AlarmChess

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alarmchess/id6756176866)

This alarm clock requires users to solve a chess puzzle to dismiss it, ensuring a mentally engaging start to the day. It offers customizable alarms, curated puzzles with adjustable difficulty, and hints to help users wake up alert and focused.

**Highlights:** Solve chess puzzles to dismiss alarm, Customizable alarm times and repeat days, Curated chess puzzles with adjustable difficulty, Hints available for stuck users, Intuitive and clean interface, Reliable notifications even when app is closed

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly subscription | $12.99 | per month |
| Yearly subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Yearly subscription | $29.99 | per year |
| Lifetime | $59.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is (Not Boring) Timer free?

(Not Boring) Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is AlarmChess free?

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

### Which has better reviews, (Not Boring) Timer or AlarmChess?

(Not Boring) Timer is rated higher. (Not Boring) Timer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while AlarmChess averages 4.6 from 17 ratings.

### Do (Not Boring) Timer or AlarmChess have ads?

AlarmChess shows ads; (Not Boring) Timer does not.

### Which is updated more often, (Not Boring) Timer or AlarmChess?

(Not Boring) Timer ships an update monthly, and AlarmChess weekly. Most recently, (Not Boring) Timer was updated on October 20, 2026 and AlarmChess on October 9, 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.*