Comparison

Desktop Astro Clock vs FlipClock

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

Head to head
About

Desktop Astro Clock

This utility app displays time in various formats, including Julian, Sidereal, and GMT. It offers always-on display options, moon and meteor shower information, and customizable clock configurations. Widgets and a watchOS app are also supported for enhanced functionality.

Highlights
  • Multiple time formats (Julian, Sidereal, GMT)
  • Always-on display with battery threshold
  • Moon phase and meteor shower information
  • Customizable display configurations
  • Widget support
  • WatchOS app with specialized displays
Features
Read full description

Desktop Astro Clock (formally known as: yabc - Yet Another Bedside Clock). This is a clock app that is designed to be run at the desktop, bedside or near a star map. It will display the time without turning off until the battery percentage drops below a user specified value. There are ten predefined, and one user defined display configurations. A single tap of the moon and star icon will bring up a red tinted clock showing the local sidereal time. In settings, you can add a moon display, meteor showers display, change colors, and configure the user defined clock display. Widgets are now supported and can be configured via Widget editing. A watchOS app is now included that displays a red tinted Modified Julian date, GMT Sidereal time, Moon, Moon name, and moon age in days. No ads, ever. Lock screen widgets include rectangular (two clock values look good here) and circular (for the current moon) Features: - Time display in various fixed formats - Time display in a user defined format + color - Always on display until a user specified battery level is reached (iOS) - Moon display with moon transit details and full moon names *(4)* - Meteor Shower information (when visible) with star chart locator - Blue moons are known by the tag [blue moon] added to the full moon name and a blue tint to the full moon image - Super moons are known by the tag [super] added to the full moon name Clock Times: - GMT - Greenwich Mean Time - GMST - Greenwich Mean Sidereal Time - Julian Date - Seconds since noon 1st January 4713 B.C. - LMST - Local Mean Sidereal Time *(3)* - Modified Julian Date - Julian Date - 2400000.5 Predefined displays: - Desk Clock - Day, Time, Date - ISO 8901 - yyyy-mm-ssThh:mm:ss+tz - ISO 8901 GMT - yyyy-mm-ssThh:mm:ssZ - Greenwich Mean Sidereal Time - 'HH'h 'mm's 'ss' - Julian - day.time in seconds since noon 1st January 4713 B.C. - Local Mean Sidereal Time - 'HH'h 'mm'h *(3)* - System Default - based on your iOS settings - Time HH:MM:SS, Month, Day - Time HH:MM - Time HH:MM:SS, Day, Month, Year - User Defined - you pick the format! Widgets (One or more): - Meteor Showers *(1)* - Moon - Moon with details - Moon Names *(4)* - Julian Date *(2)* - Sidereal Date *(2)* - User Defined Clock *(2)* WatchOS App: - Black background, Red tint, brightness adjustable with crown, shows Mofidied Julian Date, GMT Sideral Time, Moon face, Moon name, and Moon age *(3)* *(4)* - Corner complication shows Moon, Modified Julian and Local Sidereal time Lock screen Widgets: - Rectangular for clock values (i.e.: Julian date and Sidereal time) - Circular for the current moon *(1) If no Meteor shower is in progress, just an image is shown* *(2) Widgets do not support real time non-system clocks well. Updates will typically be between 15-60 minutes* *(3) If you select Local Sidereal Mean Time display, you'll also need to enable the setting to allow access to your location information (only needs your longitude for the calculations). Default will be Greenwich England* *(4) If you select Moon names, you'll also need to enable the settings to allow access to your location information (only need to check latitude > 0 for Northeren/Southeren hemishpere). Default will be at the equator*

About

FlipClock

This utility app provides a customizable always-on display with flip clock animations. It includes countdown timers and a Pomodoro timer to enhance time management, with various themes and customization options.

Highlights
  • Always On Display
  • Countdown Timer (up to 24 hours)
  • Pomodoro Technique timer
  • Light and dark modes
  • Multiple themes
  • Customization options
Features
Read full description

Ultimate FlipClock with Countdown Timer and Pomodoro functions with Always On Display feature! Like real Flip Clock with beautiful animations. ALWAYS ON DISPLAY Even if your iPhone or iPad has auto-dimm function, the FlipClock app will always stay ON. Quickly change Brightness to max or min if needed. TIMER* Set any Countdown timers up to 24 hours. POMODORO* Improve your time management using Pomodoro Technique: 25 minutes of concentration, 5 or 10 minutes to take a rest. STYLES - Supports light and dark mode to be useful at any place. - Includes many themes inspired by iPhones and iPad. Pick one that will fit best for you.* CUSTOMIZATION FlipClock is made right for you! It has a lot of customization options which are targeted for your convenience and interests PARTNER APP Use this beautiful FlipClock on your iMac and Macbook (separate app which is available on the App Store). *Upgrade to Pro Clock version in order to use all features

Screenshots

Desktop Astro Clock4 screens
FlipClock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Desktop Astro Clock at none against FlipClock's 1. Desktop Astro Clock also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 9 months vs every 19 months). FlipClock's advantage is rating (4.0 vs 3.7) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, ratings volume 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. FlipClock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Desktop Astro Clock asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FlipClock holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Desktop Astro Clock ships an update every 9 months, FlipClock every 19 months. The most recent releases landed on June 5, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 3 level
Desktop Astro Clock versus FlipClock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDesktop Astro ClockFlipClock
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings34 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 months — betterEvery 19 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size416 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBEHR Consulting InternationalVladislav Kovalyov

Customer experience

Desktop Astro Clock

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

FlipClock

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

None

Desktop Astro Clock

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

FlipClock

One-time1
  • Pro Clock$1.99

Questions

Is Desktop Astro Clock free?
Desktop Astro Clock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FlipClock free?
FlipClock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Desktop Astro Clock or FlipClock?
FlipClock is rated higher. Desktop Astro Clock averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while FlipClock averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Desktop Astro Clock or FlipClock have ads?
FlipClock shows ads; Desktop Astro Clock does not.
Which is updated more often, Desktop Astro Clock or FlipClock?
Desktop Astro Clock ships an update every 9 months, and FlipClock every 19 months. Most recently, Desktop Astro Clock was updated on June 5, 2026 and FlipClock on September 16, 2026.

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