Comparison

Time Timer vs Pictoly

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

Pictoly

Read full description

Pictoly is a visual support app designed to help children, neurodivergent individuals, and non-verbal users better understand their daily routines, organize their day, and communicate using simple and clear pictograms. Pictoly was created from a real-life need experienced daily by a parent of a child with autism (ASD). KEY FEATURES VISUAL ROUTINES Create step-by-step routines to structure the day: morning, school, meals, hygiene, activities, transitions, and bedtime. BUILD YOUR ROUTINE Add, reorder, and complete tasks in real time. Simple and intuitive. VISUAL TIMER Helps understand remaining time with visual cues and gentle alerts. CALENDAR & REMINDERS Plan events, appointments, and activities with helpful notifications. PICTOGRAM COMMUNICATION Write a sentence that is automatically converted into pictograms, or tap pictograms to build a sentence. Text-to-speech available in one tap. FEELINGS TOOL Identify emotions and track what helps in each situation. LIBRARY & CUSTOMIZATION OVER 471 PICTOGRAMS A categorized library for quick and easy access. CUSTOMIZATION Import your own images (with permission), draw your own pictograms, and add them to your library. PARENTAL CONTROL Image import is protected by a parental PIN. Parental controls also allow locking access to settings and calendar event management. ADDITIONAL FEATURES Black and white mode Up to 3 independent profiles (subscription required) Works offline Available in French, English, and Spanish DESIGNED FOR Children with autism (ASD) Neurodivergent individuals Non-verbal or semi-verbal users Parents, educators, and professionals Pictoly helps users better understand, anticipate, and communicate in their daily lives. Because everyone deserves to understand their day. Note: Pictoly is a supportive tool used under adult supervision and does not replace medical or therapeutic care. Website: https://pictoly.app Terms of Use (Apple EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Use: https://pictoly.app/Terms Privacy Policy: https://pictoly.app/PrivacyPolicy

Screenshots

Time Timer4 screens
Pictoly4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Pictoly at 13.0 against Time Timer's 16.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Time Timer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.95 per year and Pictoly sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Time Timer versus Pictoly: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTime TimerPictoly
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (15K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews62.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings15K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size174 MB731 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTime Timer LLCCedrik Plouffe

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

Pictoly

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
2 purchases

Pictoly

Subscriptions2
  • Pictoly Premium7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Pictoly Premium7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Time Timer free?
Time Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pictoly free?
Pictoly is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Time Timer or Pictoly have ads?
Neither Time Timer nor Pictoly shows ads.

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