# Timer vs Sphinx

Timer and Sphinx are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days and Sphinx sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Timer ships an update every 4 days, Sphinx weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Timer | Sphinx |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (442 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-minimal-timer/id1661418622/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **442** | — |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Size | 28 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Studio 1J, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1639917300) | [Kevin Nguyen](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896702809) |

## What reviewers say

### Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-minimal-timer/id1661418622)

This app offers a simple and intuitive way to manage your time for various activities. Set custom timers, utilize quick presets, and adjust alarm volumes to suit your needs. Stay on track with home screen widgets and an optional ambient ticking sound.

**Highlights:** Easy timer setting, Customizable presets, Adjustable alarm volume, Ambient ticking sound option, Home screen widgets, Flexible subscription options

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Minimal Timer+ | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Minimal Timer+ | $19.99 | per 7 days |
| Minimal Timer+ | $79.00 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Minimal and simple design
- 👍 Great for meditation timers
- 👍 Custom volume feature
- 👍 Sleek and wonderful app
- 👍 Imposes discipline for time monitoring

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Extremely high weekly subscription cost
- 💸 Unfair trial requiring subscription
- 💸 Predatory pricing model
- 💸 No free version for basic use
- 💸 App is too expensive

**Reported bugs**

- App swirls for over a minute before loading
- No widgets found after paying for subscription
- Unable to get past the first screen without subscribing

**Requested features**

- Allow limited access to try before subscribing
- Add an option to control the timer from the widget
- Add shortcuts support for setting and naming timers
- Add a 24-hour timer option


### Sphinx

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sphinx-screen-time-puzzles/id6808034180)

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sphinx Pro | $4.99 | per month |
| Sphinx Pro | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Timer free?

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

### Is Sphinx free?

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

### Do Timer or Sphinx have ads?

Neither Timer nor Sphinx shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Timer or Sphinx?

Timer ships an update every 4 days, and Sphinx weekly. Most recently, Timer was updated on October 8, 2026 and Sphinx on October 6, 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.*