Comparison

Sandglass3 vs Hourglass

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

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
Read full description

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.

About

Hourglass

Features
Read full description

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

Sandglass34 screens
Hourglass2 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Sandglass3 versus Hourglass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSandglass3Hourglass
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews43.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKeietsu Yasuharakenji abe

In-app purchases

None

Sandglass3

No in-app purchases

None

Hourglass

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sandglass3 free?
Sandglass3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hourglass free?
Hourglass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Sandglass3 or Hourglass have ads?
Both Sandglass3 and Hourglass show ads.
Which is updated more often, Sandglass3 or Hourglass?
Sandglass3 ships an update every 8 months, and Hourglass every 4 days. Most recently, Sandglass3 was updated on September 16, 2026 and Hourglass on September 15, 2026.

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