AnchorChainCalculator vs MIMI Private Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AnchorChainCalculator
Calculate the optimal amount of anchor chain or rope for secure anchoring based on vessel characteristics and sea conditions. Provides detailed load calculations and accounts for dynamic effects like swell and gusts. Supports both metric and imperial units, with options for chain-only or mixed rope/chain setups.
- Physics-based anchoring calculations
- Customizable vessel and sea conditions
- Chain-only or mixed rope/chain support
- Load and swell absorption analysis
- Metric and imperial unit support
- Multiple vessel configuration storage
- Basic and Expert modes
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Rather than following generic and unspecific advice how much chain or rope to pay out when at anchor, use this app to calculate the right amount of chain or rope needed for the anchor to have the best possible grip – safety tailored for your vessel! This app has been developed by a sailor living at anchor. It is based on physics rather than rules. Only too often does anchoring advice boil down to: Use a scope (i.e. ratio of chain length to water depth) of 3:1 in calm weather, and increase this to 5:1 or 7:1 as the wind picks up. This advice is independent of your vessel’s characteristics, independent of water depth, swell, or even the wind strength. So, is a scope of 7:1 still good enough for the storm tonight? Is the snubber or bridle you are using good enough to keep you safe at anchor? The Anchor Chain Calculator allows you to calculate the minimally required anchor chain and/or rope length based on a number of vessel characteristics and sea / weather conditions. It tells you what load the anchor will have to bear, and when you are using a snubber, bridle or rope, how much of the swell it absorbs, and how much it reduces the anchor load. When anchoring in shallow water it is particularly important to include these dynamic and elastic effects caused by strong swell and gusts. The app can work with a chain-only scenario as well as with an arbitrary mix of rope and chain. So, despite its name, it can also deal with a rope without any chain at all. ;) You can also restrict the chain or rope length, if you have to - perhaps because of nearby neighbours or obstacles - and get information how this restriction affects the anchor load and the angle at which the chain pulls at the anchor. The app has two modes of working: Basic Mode and Expert Mode. With Basic Mode you will be able to use the app right away, whilst Expert Mode allows you to enter more technical details of your boat if you know them. You can use either metric units (metres, daN / kp, and mm for chain thickness) or imperial units (feet, lbs, and inch for chain thickness). You can store different vessel configurations by name and so can easily switch, e.g., between different snubber, bridle, rope or vessel setups (e.g., a snubber for the lunch stop, another snubber for normal usage, and a third longer and even more elastic snubber for really bad weather). These setups can be locked to prevent accidental overwriting. This app is also great for playing through all kinds of "what if?” scenarios. It will help you to plan ahead and be better prepared. The perfect addition to an anchor alarm / anchor watch for safer anchoring!
MIMI Private Timer
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MIMI Private Timer lets you play alerts through headphones for quiet, personal use. Use it for short breaks, commuting, focused work, study sessions, reminders, and private timing without disturbing people around you. Key features: Private audio alerts through headphones Simple timer setup Quiet, personal reminders Useful for work, travel, study, and daily routines Designed for situations where speaker-based playback is not appropriate This app is suitable for: commuters office workers students anyone who needs discreet personal alerts Note: A connected wired or Bluetooth headphone device may be required for the intended experience.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: MIMI Private Timer at Free against AnchorChainCalculator's $12.99. MIMI Private Timer also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 weeks). AnchorChainCalculator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads 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
MIMI Private Timer is free to download; AnchorChainCalculator costs $12.99 up front. MIMI Private Timer sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. AnchorChainCalculator asks for nothing beyond the download.
AnchorChainCalculator ships an update every 3 weeks, MIMI Private Timer every 6 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | AnchorChainCalculator | MIMI Private Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mathias Wagner | Ryoma Inoue |
In-app purchases
AnchorChainCalculator
No in-app purchases
MIMI Private Timer
- Remove Ads$0.99
- Buy me a coffee$2.99
Questions
Is AnchorChainCalculator free?
Is MIMI Private Timer free?
Do AnchorChainCalculator or MIMI Private Timer have ads?
Which is updated more often, AnchorChainCalculator or MIMI Private Timer?
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