Sandglass3 vs Hourglass
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sandglass3
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.
- Realistic hourglass simulation
- 1, 3, and 6-minute timers
- Swipe to flip hourglass
- Rotate device to flip
- Chime alert on completion
- Automatic rotation option
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It's a very simple, yet realistic hourglass. - Choose from a 1-minute, 3-minute, or 6-minute timer (check the remaining time at the bottom of the screen to determine the correct time). - Swipe the screen horizontally or turn your iPhone sideways and then back to portrait to flip the hourglass over. - You can display the remaining time and play a chime when the timer finishes. - You can set it to rotate automatically once all the sand has fallen. Staring at it is soothing...maybe.
Hourglass
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This is an approximately 3-minute hourglass that uses physics simulation to recreate realistic movements. You can enjoy watching the grains of sand smoothly fall under natural gravity while keeping track of time. With a simple and intuitive design, it's an ideal tool for meditation or improving focus. When the gyroscope sensor is enabled, the movement of the sand adjusts in real-time according to the tilt of your device. Each session offers a different atmosphere, allowing you to relax and experience the comforting analog feel within a digital space.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Hourglass at every 4 days against Sandglass3's every 8 months. Sandglass3's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sandglass3 ships an update every 8 months, Hourglass every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sandglass3 | Hourglass |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (11 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 43.8% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 11 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Keietsu Yasuhara | kenji abe |
In-app purchases
Sandglass3
No in-app purchases
Hourglass
No in-app purchases









