# Sandglass3 vs Best Sand Timer

The clearest difference is rating: Best Sand Timer at 4.2 against Sandglass3's 2.7. Best Sand Timer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Best Sand Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Sandglass3's written reviews are positive against 46% of Best Sand Timer's.

Sandglass3 ships an update every 8 months, Best Sand Timer every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Sandglass3 | Best Sand Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandglass3/id386488183/reviews) | **[4.2 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-sand-timer/id501940934/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 11 | **19** |
| Positive reviews | 43.8% of reviews | **45.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 months** | Every 14 months |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | **Free** |
| Size | 43 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 | **8.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Keietsu Yasuhara](https://appshunter.io/developer/378538320) | [Serhii Simkovskyi](https://appshunter.io/developer/959904647) |

## What reviewers say

### Sandglass3

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sandglass3/id386488183)

This app simulates a realistic hourglass with customizable timer durations. Users can flip the hourglass by swiping or rotating their device. It offers optional sound alerts and automatic rotation upon completion.

**Highlights:** Realistic hourglass simulation, 1, 3, and 6-minute timers, Swipe to flip hourglass, Rotate device to flip, Chime alert on completion, Automatic rotation option

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Best Sand Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-sand-timer/id501940934)

A digital hourglass timer that visually represents the passage of time. It's designed to be kid-friendly, offers customizable alarm sounds, and allows users to personalize the timer's color. This universal app provides a stylish way to manage tasks and stay notified.

**Highlights:** Digital hourglass visualization, Kid-friendly time perception, Customizable alarm sounds (16 options), Notification even when inactive, Color themes for timer customization, Universal app for iPhone and iPad

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Visually appealing sand timer
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 👍 Good for focus and visual timing
- 👍 Customizable colors
- 👍 Works well for kids and educational purposes

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No sound/alarm issues
- 🐛 Alignment and graphics issues
- 🐛 Maximum timer limit of 1 hour
- 🐛 Ads can be intrusive
- 🐛 App crashes/freezes

**Reported bugs**

- No sound when timer reaches zero
- Sand not aligned with hourglass
- Graphics not aligned properly
- Buttons partially off screen
- App not configured for certain iPhone screens (e.g., XR)

**Requested features**

- Display current time on screen
- Keypad for setting timer
- Option to hide digital timer
- Longer timer duration (beyond 1 hour)
- Vibrate function


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Sandglass3 free?

Sandglass3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Best Sand Timer free?

Best Sand Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Sandglass3 or Best Sand Timer?

Best Sand Timer is rated higher. Sandglass3 averages 2.7 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Best Sand Timer averages 4.2 from 19 ratings.

### Do Sandglass3 or Best Sand Timer have ads?

Sandglass3 shows ads; Best Sand Timer does not.

### Which is updated more often, Sandglass3 or Best Sand Timer?

Sandglass3 ships an update every 8 months, and Best Sand Timer every 14 months. Most recently, Sandglass3 was updated on October 3, 2026 and Best Sand Timer on October 14, 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.*