Comparison

Emerald Chronometer vs Bubbles for Discourse

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

Bubbles for Discourse

Features
Read full description

Browse multiple communities in a unified, beautiful interface Join thousands of Discourse power users experiencing Bubbles for the first time Download Bubbles and experience Discourse discussions the way they were meant to be read. Thanks Claude. So Bubbles is a client for using Discourse. Add any Discourse URL to the app and read the latest 30 topics. xxx The Pro version of Bubbles uses auto-renewing subscriptions. Your subscription will be charged to your iTunes Account once you confirm your purchase. Your iTunes account will be charged again when your subscription automatically renews at the end of your current subscription period unless out renew is turned off at least 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage or turn off auto-renew in your Apple ID Account Settings any time after purchase. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy: https://github.com/mikaelacaron/Bubbles-Privacy

Screenshots

Emerald Chronometer4 screens
Bubbles for Discourse3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Emerald Chronometer at none against Bubbles for Discourse's 2. Emerald Chronometer also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). Bubbles for Discourse's advantage is update cadence (every 7 months vs every 22 months). On price 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. Bubbles for Discourse sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Emerald Chronometer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Emerald Chronometer ships an update every 22 months, Bubbles for Discourse every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Emerald Chronometer versus Bubbles for Discourse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmerald ChronometerBubbles for Discourse
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (105 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews96.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings105 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 22 monthsEvery 7 months — better
Ads—No
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size311 MB18 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperScapa Flow, LLCIcy App Studio LLC

In-app purchases

None

Emerald Chronometer

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Bubbles for Discourse

Subscriptions2
  • Bubbles Pro Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Bubbles Pro Yearly$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Emerald Chronometer free?
Emerald Chronometer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Bubbles for Discourse free?
Bubbles for Discourse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which is updated more often, Emerald Chronometer or Bubbles for Discourse?
Emerald Chronometer ships an update every 22 months, and Bubbles for Discourse every 7 months. Most recently, Emerald Chronometer was updated on October 18, 2026 and Bubbles for Discourse on October 11, 2026.

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