# The Matrix Clock vs Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget at 100% against The Matrix Clock's 37%. Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget also leads on rating (3.5 vs 2.3) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 12 months). The Matrix Clock's advantage is ratings volume (25 vs 4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. The Matrix Clock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: The Matrix Clock has 25 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 37% of The Matrix Clock's written reviews are positive against 100% of Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget's.

The Matrix Clock ships an update every 12 months, Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Matrix Clock | Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.3 (25 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-matrix-clock/id1597262305/reviews) | **[3.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nightstand-desk-clock-and-widget/id6443995614/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **25** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 36.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 5 MB | 84 MB |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Goro Sato](https://appshunter.io/developer/412448991) | [小玲 黄](https://appshunter.io/developer/1651234772) |

## What reviewers say

### The Matrix Clock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-matrix-clock/id1597262305)

Experience a visually stunning screen with cascading characters. Interact with the display to customize settings and optionally disable the clock. Enjoy a unique aesthetic for your device.

**Highlights:** Cascading character display, Interactive screen settings, Optional clock disable, Customizable text appearance

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $2.99 | one-time |


### Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nightstand-desk-clock-and-widget/id6443995614)

Transform your device into a customizable bedside clock with various themes and dynamic backgrounds. Enjoy features like fullscreen display, seconds with three decimal places, and picture-in-picture functionality. Set countdowns with sound reminders for important events.

**Highlights:** Fullscreen clock display (horizontal/vertical), Customizable clock themes and dynamic backgrounds, Seconds display with three decimal places, Picture-in-picture functionality, Countdown timers with sound reminders, Phone standby mode for charging

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| monthly subscription | $0.99 | per month |
| Monthly Pro | $1.99 | per month |
| Widget Pack | $0.99 | one-time |
| Live Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| PIP Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| lifetime membership | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Matrix Clock free?

The Matrix Clock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget free?

Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, The Matrix Clock or Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget?

Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget is rated higher. The Matrix Clock averages 2.3 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget averages 3.5 from 4 ratings.

### Do The Matrix Clock or Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget have ads?

Both The Matrix Clock and Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget show ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Matrix Clock or Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget?

The Matrix Clock ships an update every 12 months, and Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget every 3 weeks. Most recently, The Matrix Clock was updated on November 3, 2026 and Nightstand Desk Clock & Widget on November 3, 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.*