Comparison

Time Timer vs Smart Steps Mobile

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

Smart Steps Mobile

This app guides individuals with disabilities through challenging everyday situations with step-by-step instructions and helpful prompts. It offers customizable decision trees, safety tips, and emergency contact features to foster independence and reduce anxiety.

Highlights
  • Step-by-step decision trees
  • Read-Aloud buttons
  • Profile screen for information sharing
  • Map button for directions
  • Emergency contact features
  • Customizable decision trees with images (upgrade)
Features
Read full description

Take the next step with confidence. Smart Steps helps teens and adults with disabilities handle tricky moments—one tap at a time. Whether it’s starting a new job, getting around campus, or asking for help, this app walks you through what to do. Designed by a teacher, Smart Steps is built for neurodivergent users, including those with autism, ADHD, intellectual and developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, or brain injuries. With simple Decision Trees and just-in-time tips, it’s like having a calm coach in your pocket. How it works: Pick a Decision Tree and follow one step at a time. You’ll get reminders, social cues, and safety tips when you need them most. End with a Success screen—or call for Backup if you need extra help. Features include: • Read-Aloud buttons (great for speaking out loud too!) • A Profile Screen to share helpful info • A Map Button for directions • Emergency Contacts for calls/texts (with upgrade) • A Decision Tree Maker to customize steps and add images (with upgrade) Plans available: Free Plan – Try it out! Includes built-in Decision Trees, Profile Screen, Map, and Read-Aloud. Monthly/Annual Plan – Unlock tree editing, image uploads, contact storage, and color customization. Group Plans – Share trees with a classroom, workplace, or family (2+ licenses). Build independence, reduce stress, and support problem-solving—one small win at a time. Learn more or sign up at SmartSteps4me.com Watch a quick intro: bit.ly/SmartStepsMobileIntro

Screenshots

Time Timer4 screens
Smart Steps Mobile4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Time Timer at 63% against Smart Steps Mobile's 0%. Time Timer also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (15K vs 3). Smart Steps Mobile's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, monetization model 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. Smart Steps Mobile asks for nothing beyond the download.

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 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Time Timer's written reviews are positive against 0% of Smart Steps Mobile's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Time Timer ships an update every 2 weeks, Smart Steps Mobile every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Time Timer versus Smart Steps Mobile: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTime TimerSmart Steps Mobile
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (15K ratings) — better4.3 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews62.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings15K — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size174 MB23 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTime Timer LLCSmartSteps

Customer experience

Time Timer

All ratings14,552 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews334 reviews
Positive62.9%
Neutral14.1%
Negative23.1%

Smart Steps Mobile

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
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

Smart Steps Mobile

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
None

Smart Steps Mobile

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Time Timer free?
Time Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart Steps Mobile free?
Smart Steps Mobile is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Time Timer or Smart Steps Mobile?
Time Timer is rated higher. Time Timer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 15K ratings, while Smart Steps Mobile averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.
Do Time Timer or Smart Steps Mobile have ads?
Neither Time Timer nor Smart Steps Mobile shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Time Timer or Smart Steps Mobile?
Time Timer ships an update every 2 weeks, and Smart Steps Mobile every 8 months. Most recently, Time Timer was updated on September 25, 2026 and Smart Steps Mobile on September 20, 2026.

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