Comparison

Expand vs 3D Hourglass Timer

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

Head to head
About

Expand

Access profound states of expanded awareness with guided meditations and proprietary sound science. Explore topics like relaxation, joy, insight, and sleep to foster meaning, relieve stress, and release unwanted patterns. Discover inner wisdom and joy through active imagination and perception.

Highlights
  • 100+ guided meditations
  • Monroe Sound Science audio technology
  • Multi-day mini-courses
  • Guided reflection and journaling
  • Custom-generated soundscapes
  • Focus on active imagination and perception
Features
Read full description

From the world-renowned Monroe Institute, Expand helps you access deeper states of awareness to reduce stress, improve sleep, and cultivate greater meaning, clarity, and purpose. Powered by Monroe Sound Science, our proprietary audio technology, Expand uses targeted soundwave patterns to support unique states of consciousness and focused inner exploration. Through guided sessions, courses, and immersive sound experiences, you can uncover insight, release unwanted patterns, and reconnect with your inner wisdom. Inside Expand, you’ll find: • 100+ guided meditations and consciousness-expanding exercises • Multi-day mini-courses and structured practice paths • Guided reflection and journaling tools • Custom-generated soundscapes designed for specific brainwave states • Programs for both beginners and experienced practitioners Explore sessions across topics including: • Relaxation & Healing • Joy & Meaning • Insight & Intuition • Sleep & Dreaming • Healthy Relationships • Creativity & Manifestation • Beyond the Physical Unlike typical meditation apps focused only on clearing the mind, Expand encourages active imagination, perception, and intentional practice to help you achieve specific outcomes. About The Monroe Institute The Monroe Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a global leader in the study and practice of expanded consciousness. Founded in the early 1970s as a research and educational organization, Monroe offers transformative learning through the Expand app, virtual programs, and in-person retreats on its 300-acre Virginia campus and in countries worldwide. Subscription Pricing and Terms Expand offers auto-renewing subscription options: • $69.99/year • $11.99/month Payment is charged to your App Store account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged within 24 hours prior to renewal. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. Terms of Service: https://info.monroeinstitute.org/expand-app-terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://info.monroeinstitute.org/expand-app-privacy-policy

About

3D Hourglass Timer

Experience a moment of luxury and tranquility with a beautifully designed app featuring 3D hourglasses. Enhance meditation, relaxation, and focus with customizable timers, soothing sounds, and calming music.

Highlights
  • Beautifully designed 3D hourglasses
  • 360° sand flow visualization
  • Timer from 1 to 180 minutes
  • Soothing sand and background sounds
  • Focus-boosting study timer
  • Elegant and luxurious design
Features
Read full description

Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and enjoy a blissful reset for your mind and body. 3D Hourglass HD is a beautifully designed app featuring six stunning hourglasses, rendered with sophisticated 3D graphics. Enjoy the mesmerizing flow of sand from any angle in 360°, creating a perfect atmosphere for meditation, relaxation, and mindfulness practice. With a timer function ranging from 1 to 180 minutes, soothing sand sounds, and calming background music (or rain sounds), this app enhances your precious moments of tranquility. It also serves as a focus-boosting study timer, supporting productivity and relaxation. Designed with luxury and elegance in mind, 3D Hourglass HD brings a touch of refinement to your daily routine. Recommended for: - Those who practice meditation and mindfulness to find inner balance - Those seeking moments of relaxation and reset in their busy lives - Students and professionals looking for a stylish timer to improve focus during study or work - Those who appreciate elegant design and wish to create a premium relaxation space - Those who want to relieve stress and refresh their mind and body Enhance your daily life with a touch of ultimate relaxation and improved focus. Terms of Use: https://hosono-note15.web.app/policy/terms_en.html Privacy Policy: https://hosono-note15.web.app/policy/privacy_en.html

Screenshots

Expand4 screens
3D Hourglass Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: 3D Hourglass Timer at 4.7 against Expand's 4.0. 3D Hourglass Timer also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ads (none vs shown). Expand's advantage is ratings volume (301 vs 30). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Expand sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and 3D Hourglass Timer sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

3D Hourglass Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Expand has 301 ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Expand's written reviews are positive against 73% of 3D Hourglass Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Expand ships an update monthly, 3D Hourglass Timer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Expand versus 3D Hourglass Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExpand3D Hourglass Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (301 ratings)4.7 (30 ratings) — better
Positive reviews49.7% of reviews72.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings301 — better30
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB177 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTHE MONROE INSTITUTEKyohei Hosono

Customer experience

Expand

All ratings297 ratings
Positive73.4%
Neutral6.1%
Negative20.5%
Written reviews157 reviews
Positive49.7%
Neutral12.1%
Negative38.2%

3D Hourglass Timer

All ratings28 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.1%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive72.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative27.3%

Bugs and requests

Expand

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Paid but no play
  • Login screen freezes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • Sound shuts off when the iphone goes to sleep

Requested features

4 requests
  • Longer guided meditations
  • What's new section for meditations
  • Ability to turn off background music
  • Monthly charge option

3D Hourglass Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Expand

Subscriptions2
  • Expand Plus Monthly$11.991 Month
  • Expand Plus Yearly$69.991 Year
2 purchases

3D Hourglass Timer

One-time2
  • Moon Timer$1.99
  • Jellyfish Hourglass$1.99

Questions

Is Expand free?
Expand is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3D Hourglass Timer free?
3D Hourglass Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Expand or 3D Hourglass Timer?
3D Hourglass Timer is rated higher. Expand averages 4.0 out of 5 from 301 ratings, while 3D Hourglass Timer averages 4.7 from 30 ratings.
Do Expand or 3D Hourglass Timer have ads?
Expand shows ads; 3D Hourglass Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Expand or 3D Hourglass Timer?
Expand ships an update monthly, and 3D Hourglass Timer every 6 weeks. Most recently, Expand was updated on November 7, 2026 and 3D Hourglass Timer on November 4, 2026.

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