# Countdown widget vs Simple Widgets

The clearest difference is ads: Countdown widget at none against Simple Widgets's shown. Countdown widget also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.2) and ratings volume (1.3K vs 19). Simple Widgets's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 88%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Countdown widget sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year and Simple Widgets sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Countdown widget holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Countdown widget has 1.3K ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 88% of Countdown widget's written reviews are positive against 100% of Simple Widgets's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Countdown widget ships an update weekly, Simple Widgets every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Countdown widget | Simple Widgets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (1.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-widget-day-counter/id1568911092/reviews)** | [4.2 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-widgets-photo/id1633005962/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.3K** | 19 |
| Positive reviews | 88.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 34 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16 | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Amit Verma](https://appshunter.io/developer/1219761009) | [Wuhan Linggu Dingdang Technology Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/612318541) |

## What reviewers say

### Countdown widget

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-widget-day-counter/id1568911092)

Design personalized countdown and count-up widgets for any event. Customize with themes, styles, and app icons. Track birthdays, holidays, vacations, and more with aesthetic looks and iCloud sync. Supports various widget sizes and modes.

**Highlights:** Custom countdown and count-up widgets, Multiple widget styles and themes, iOS Lock Screen and Standby widgets, Customizable app icons and fonts, Add personal photos, iCloud sync, Count up from past events

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Countdown Pro. | $9.99 | per year |
| Countdown Pro. | $8.99 | one-time |
| Countdown Pro. | $12.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Best out there
- 👍 Paid version is a must
- 👍 Thank you so so much
- 👍 I love the app
- 👍 Great app!

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Not happy with this app
- 💡 Widgets should be for sale
- 💡 The style of widgets they are all for premium and I think that should change xx
- 🐛 Good app, doesnt fully work for me
- 💡 OK

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Countdown widget not working on lock screen
- Countdown based on EST instead of user's timezone

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Advanced analytics dashboard
- Sync with calendars
- Show hours, minutes, and seconds in countdown


### Simple Widgets

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-widgets-photo/id1633005962)

Personalize your home and lock screens with customizable widgets. Choose from various sizes and styles, including different backgrounds, font colors, and borders. Easily edit existing widgets to change their appearance.

**Highlights:** Customizable widget types, Small, Medium, Large, and Lock Screen widgets, Background and font color customization, Border customization, Edit existing widget appearance

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Widget Premium (Monthly) | $1.99 | per month |
| Widget Premium (Annual) | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Countdown widget free?

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

### Is Simple Widgets free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Countdown widget or Simple Widgets?

Countdown widget is rated higher. Countdown widget averages 4.5 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings, while Simple Widgets averages 4.2 from 19 ratings.

### Do Countdown widget or Simple Widgets have ads?

Simple Widgets shows ads; Countdown widget does not.

### Which is updated more often, Countdown widget or Simple Widgets?

Countdown widget ships an update weekly, and Simple Widgets every 5 days. Most recently, Countdown widget was updated on October 30, 2026 and Simple Widgets on October 24, 2026.

---

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