# Time Timer vs Hoopla

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Time Timer | Hoopla |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (15K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/time-timer/id332520417/reviews)** | [4.3 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hoopla/id6451356536/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **15K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 62.7% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Freemium | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 174 MB | 60 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Time Timer LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/332520420) | [Hoopla FZ-LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1697677213) |

## What reviewers say

### Time Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/time-timer/id332520417)

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:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlock all Time Timer features | $9.95 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Helpful for ADHD and autism
- 🚀 Great visual timer
- 👍 Customizable timers
- 👍 Useful for presentations and meetings
- 👍 Indispensable for organization and time management

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable sound/vibration alerts
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior when phone is locked or app is minimized
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs
- 🔋 Screen turns off during timer
- 👎 Subscription model for some features

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


### Hoopla

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hoopla/id6451356536)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hoopla | $9.99 | per month |
| Hoopla | $12.99 | per month |
| Hoopla | $39.99 | per year |
| Hoopla | $44.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked 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.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*