Comparison

Emerald Chronometer vs AtomicClock

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

Head to head
About

Emerald Chronometer

Experience highly detailed mechanical watch faces with advanced astronomical and clock complications. Track celestial events, manage time with precision, and explore historical and future dates with interactive displays. Optimized for iPhone and iPod touch.

Highlights
  • Accurate astronomical data (4000 BCE - 2800 CE)
  • Sun, Moon, and planet rise/set times
  • Mechanical display of Moon phases
  • Precise local and UTC time
  • Chronograph with split timer
  • World-time and calendar watches
  • Interactive time-travel simulation
Read full description

These models of high-end mechanical watch faces contain many of the most complex "complications" found in real watches, plus refinements found nowhere else. All displays maintain the look and feel of real mechanical objects, but with the time and location accuracy of the iPhone. NOTE: This app (Emerald Chronometer) is optimized for the iPhone and iPod touch. Please also see Emerald Chronometer HD, a separate product optimized for the iPad. Astronomy features: - Highly accurate data from 4000 BCE to 2800 CE - Times of rise and set for the Sun, the Moon, and the 5 classical planets - The correct shape and orientation of the Moon in all phases but still using a mechanical display - Relative positions of the Sun, Moon, 6 planets and the constellations of the zodiac - "Compass functions" show the elevation and azimuth of the Sun, the Moon, and the 5 planets - The Equation of Time, solar time and sidereal time - Eclipse predictor (lunar node indicators and separation indicator) - User settable geographic location and timezone using an 80,000 city database - A unique face showing the rise and set times of all 5 classical planets plus the Sun and the Moon at once Clock features: - Day/date/month/year indicators, using mechanical wheels - Local and UTC time - Chronograph (stopwatch) with split timer, 1/10 sec accuracy - Alarm clock and interval timer; notifications are delivered in iOS 4 if the app is not running** - World-time watch with 24-city ring on one side and 4 subdials on the other - Calendar watch with rotating wheels showing a full month at a time - Most watches with 1/5 sec or 1/10 sec precision - Synchronized with standard atomic clocks via NTP There are 16 watches in all, with 27 total watch faces (including front and back sides). A setting is available to allow the display to stay on only when plugged in. Play with the watches by tapping on the crown and moving the hands, or press and hold on a date window to zoom through time to see the effect on the heavens. Then just use them to show you when it's time for a break. A complete description of each application feature can be found in the built-in Help screens and on the Emerald Sequoia LLC Web Site, which also includes a demo movie. A developer's blog may also be found at http://emeraldsequoia.com/esblog/ . If you are having any trouble with the application whatsoever, please see our FAQ on the support page listed below and then contact us through that page if your problem is not resolved. We take pride in responding promptly to all support email requests. **NTP accuracy is not guaranteed for alarm delivery if the app is not running. (NTP requires Internet access. Like all apps Emerald Chronometer can not change the device's internal clock.)

About

AtomicClock

This app displays the exact current time synchronized with NTP servers, offering a customizable clock view for precise time checks. It's ideal for setting watches, verifying timestamps, or comparing local and network time.

Highlights
  • Precise time from NTP servers
  • Customizable clock faces
  • Select or add time servers
  • Local and UTC views
  • 12/24 hour modes
  • Customizable time format
  • Acoustic ticking
Features
Read full description

Check precise NTP reference time at a glance. AtomicClock helps you set watches, wall clocks, cameras, and other devices, compare local time with UTC, and follow moments when every second matters. Clear analog and digital time AtomicClock displays current time from NTP servers that reference atomic clocks. Choose a predefined server or add your own, then view local or UTC time in a clean analog or digital clock. Customize your reference clock • Switch between 12-hour and 24-hour time • Customize the time format • Choose from multiple clock faces and hands • Use a smooth, fluid second hand • Add acoustic ticking or the Greenwich Time Signal • Tap the screen to hide information and controls, freeze the display, or mute ticking Details for precise time checks View technical NTP information, including round-trip time and server stratum. Whether you are checking a timestamp, preparing a camera, aligning a wall clock, or setting a watch by hand, the seconds remain clear and easy to follow. AtomicClock is free to use. AtomicClock Pro is available as a one-time purchase with no subscription. It unlocks your preferred clock face, hands, and font, removes ads, and includes upcoming Pro features. AtomicClock displays NTP reference time for comparison and does not change your device’s system time. Results can vary with the selected server, network conditions, and device behavior.

Screenshots

Emerald Chronometer4 screens
AtomicClock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Emerald Chronometer at none against AtomicClock's 1. Emerald Chronometer also leads on review sentiment (97% vs 84%). AtomicClock's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 22 months) and ratings volume (5.5K vs 105). On price, rating, device support and iOS requirement 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. AtomicClock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Emerald Chronometer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Emerald Chronometer against 4.8 for AtomicClock. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AtomicClock has 5.5K ratings behind it against 105, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 97% of Emerald Chronometer's written reviews are positive against 84% of AtomicClock's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Emerald Chronometer ships an update every 22 months, AtomicClock every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Emerald Chronometer versus AtomicClock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmerald ChronometerAtomicClock
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (105 ratings) — better4.8 (5.5K ratings)
Positive reviews96.8% of reviews — better84.2% of reviews
Number of ratings1055.5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 22 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
Ads—Yes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size311 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScapa Flow, LLCTimo Partl

Customer experience

Emerald Chronometer

All ratings96 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral1.0%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive96.8%
Neutral3.2%
Negative0.0%

AtomicClock

All ratings5,539 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.8%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews241 reviews
Positive84.2%
Neutral3.3%
Negative12.4%

Bugs and requests

Emerald Chronometer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

AtomicClock

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on certain iOS versions
  • Occasional freezing of hands
  • Countdown timer sound not working

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add GMT/dual time display
  • Implement widget support
  • Add different second hand sounds
  • Allow setting background color to match watch
  • Include alarm/timer functionality

In-app purchases

None

Emerald Chronometer

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

AtomicClock

One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro Version$6.99

Questions

Is Emerald Chronometer free?
Emerald Chronometer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AtomicClock free?
AtomicClock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Emerald Chronometer or AtomicClock?
Emerald Chronometer is rated higher. Emerald Chronometer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 105 ratings, while AtomicClock averages 4.8 from 5.5K ratings.
Which is updated more often, Emerald Chronometer or AtomicClock?
Emerald Chronometer ships an update every 22 months, and AtomicClock every 3 weeks. Most recently, Emerald Chronometer was updated on October 6, 2026 and AtomicClock on October 14, 2026.

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