Comparison

Time Timer vs Hoopla

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

Head to head
About

Time Timer

This app provides a visual representation of time passing, making it easier to manage tasks and routines. It's designed to be inclusive and flexible for various needs, from educational settings to personal productivity.

Highlights
  • Iconic visual timer with disappearing disk
  • Inclusive design for various needs
  • Flexible routine creation and sequencing
  • Multiple timers and preset options
  • Customizable sound, vibration, and color
Features
Read full description

Feel time move. Stay on track. Stress less. From the makers of the original red disk timer, the Time Timer® App transforms the powerful visual tool trusted by families, teachers, therapists, and productivity pros for over 30 years into a fully customizable experience on your device. Whether you’re helping students build focus, supporting kids through daily routines, or simply managing your own tasks without overwhelm—Time Timer makes time feel more tangible and manageable. What Makes Time Timer Different? Iconic Visual Timer Watch time disappear as the disk gets smaller—a simple, intuitive way to feel time passing, not just track it. Inclusive by Design Trusted by people with ADHD, Autism, executive function challenges, or just a busy brain. Invented by a mom for her child, Time Timer has supported users of all abilities for decades. Flexible for Every Routine Use it once or build structured sequences. Create presets for daily habits. Run multiple timers at once. Make routines visual and calm transitions. Trusted in Schools, Homes & Workplaces From kindergarten classrooms to therapy sessions to boardrooms, Time Timer helps reduce resistance, improve focus, and make time awareness easier for everyone. Free Features Include: Create up to 3 timers Run multiple timers at once Use the original 60-minute red disk — or choose any duration Adjust sound, vibration, and color with limited options Premium Features Unlock Even More: Unlimited customization Build routines with timer sequencing (morning checklists, therapy steps, work sprints) Organize timers with Groups Sync across mobile and desktop devices Quick Set +/- buttons for fast adjustments Customize disk size and detail level Use Time Timer For: Morning and bedtime routines Homework and study blocks Transitions between tasks Work sprints and focus sessions Therapy, coaching, or classroom support Daily life skills for kids, teens, and adults Why It Works Time Timer® transforms time from something abstract and invisible into something your eyes can track and your brain can trust. That’s why it’s backed by research, loved by educators, and recommended by occupational therapists worldwide. Created for real life. Trusted for decades. Download Time Timer today and feel the difference.

About

Hoopla

This app uses fun, expert-designed activities to help children aged 3-8 reduce anxiety and build emotional skills. It offers meditations, games, and songs to improve sleep, manage tantrums, and strengthen family bonds through interactive play.

Highlights
  • Expert-backed activities for children
  • Interactive family games
  • Multi-sensory emotional regulation tools
  • Quick, effective mindfulness exercises
  • Builds emotional skills
  • Simplifies parenting resources
Features
Read full description

Reduce anxiety and promote mental wellness in children aged 3-8 through fun, engaging activities. Hoopla combines the power of play with evidence-based strategies. Each activity is under 5 minutes instilling healthy habits and designed by experts to calm tantrums, improve sleep, and strengthen emotional bonds. Discover our collection of meditations, mindfulness exercises, songs, and interactive games crafted to relieve stress, enhance emotional growth, and deepen family connections. Start transforming screen time into positive family time with Hoopla. Why Hoopla Stands Out: Expert-Backed for Kids: Developed with child psychologists and educators, tailored for young children’s developmental stages. Interactive Family Fun: All games and activities are designed for parents and kids to enjoy together, strengthening family connections. Multi-Sensory Tools: Using the vibration of the phone, calm and regulate emotions by effectively engaging your child’s senses with tools designed to mimic physical sensory toys. Quick and Effective: Fit mindfulness, emotional regulation, and social-emotional learning seamlessly into your child’s day, requiring no special setup or props. Build Emotional Skills: Equip your children with essential skills to manage emotions, navigate challenges, and thrive through active play and engaging activities. Simplify Parenting: Access resources, tips, and follow-up activities that support your child’s and your own mental health. Start Your Free Trial: Download Hoopla today for a 7-day free trial. Manage subscriptions easily within the app. Privacy and Terms: We prioritize your family's privacy. Read our full privacy policy and terms of service at https://hooplafun.com.

Screenshots

Time Timer4 screens
Hoopla4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Hoopla at 100% against Time Timer's 63%. Time Timer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (15K vs 6). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Time Timer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.95 per year and Hoopla sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Time Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Time Timer has 15K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 63% of Time Timer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Hoopla's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Time Timer ships an update every 2 weeks, Hoopla every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Time Timer versus Hoopla: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTime TimerHoopla
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (15K ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews62.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings15K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size174 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTime Timer LLCHoopla FZ-LLC

Customer experience

Time Timer

All ratings14,552 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews335 reviews
Positive62.7%
Neutral14.0%
Negative23.3%

Hoopla

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Time Timer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • No timers show up in app
  • Timer stops working when phone is locked
  • Inconsistent dark mode implementation
  • Vibration doesn't work as expected

Requested features

7 requests
  • Add Apple Watch complication
  • Allow rearranging of timers
  • Ability to continue timer after time is up
  • Option to change timer color and background
  • Lock timer settings on Apple Watch
Show 2 more
  • Add percentage countdown option
  • Integrate current time into app

Hoopla

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Time Timer

Subscriptions1
  • Unlock all Time Timer features$9.951 Year
4 purchases

Hoopla

Subscriptions4
  • Hoopla$9.991 Month
  • Hoopla$12.991 Month
  • Hoopla$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Hoopla$44.991 Year

Questions

Is Time Timer free?
Time Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Hoopla free?
Hoopla is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Time Timer or Hoopla?
Time Timer is rated higher. Time Timer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 15K ratings, while Hoopla averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Time Timer or Hoopla have ads?
Hoopla shows ads; Time Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Time Timer or Hoopla?
Time Timer ships an update every 2 weeks, and Hoopla every 3 weeks. Most recently, Time Timer was updated on October 15, 2026 and Hoopla on October 7, 2026.

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