# Timer vs CheckMate Chess Clock

The clearest difference is update cadence: Timer at every 7 months against CheckMate Chess Clock's every 26 months. Timer also leads on iOS requirement (12 vs 15.0). CheckMate Chess Clock's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $3.99). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Timer costs $3.99 and CheckMate Chess Clock $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Timer ships an update every 7 months, CheckMate Chess Clock every 26 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and May 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Timer | CheckMate Chess Clock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (218 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer/id286567378/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **218** | — |
| Positive reviews | 80.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 7 months** | Every 26 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 24 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Francis Bonnin](https://appshunter.io/developer/284043095) | [Gustav Gutsche](https://appshunter.io/developer/1661525357) |

## What reviewers say

### Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer/id286567378)

This advanced timer allows for precise time management across various activities. Set multiple special events with customizable triggers like sounds, messages, or screen flashing. It's ideal for games, workouts, cooking, meditation, and any task requiring accurate timing, even when the app is in the background.

**Highlights:** Multiple complex timers simultaneously, Scheduled event triggers (sounds, messages, photos), Customizable display modes (textual, graphical), Background operation with sound/message alerts, Looping timers, Delayed start and flexible stop time entry, Screen blocking and flashlight alerts

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for workouts and exercises
- 🚀 Highly customizable and versatile
- 🔔 Excellent timer with multiple alert options
- 💡 Useful for presentations and meetings
- 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and stability issues
- 🔋 Can drain battery when running in the background
- 🔍 Confusing interface with too many advanced features
- 🔇 Sound alerts not always working as expected

**Reported bugs**

- Timer randomly changing time during use
- Alarm not sounding when app is in background
- Screen dimming and locking issues

**Requested features**

- Multiple timers running concurrently
- Ability to save and share custom timer presets
- More vibration and sound alert options
- Improved background mode and iOS 4 support


### CheckMate Chess Clock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/checkmate-chess-clock/id6449641642)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Timer free?

Timer costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CheckMate Chess Clock free?

CheckMate Chess Clock costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Timer or CheckMate Chess Clock have ads?

Neither Timer nor CheckMate Chess Clock shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Timer or CheckMate Chess Clock?

Timer ships an update every 7 months, and CheckMate Chess Clock every 26 months. Most recently, Timer was updated on September 22, 2026 and CheckMate Chess Clock on May 17, 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.*