Comparison

Sandglass3 vs Glow Timer

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

Glow Timer

Features
Read full description

Time flows beautifully, silently. Glow Timer is a visual focus timer for quiet places: libraries, cafes, classrooms, night desks, and any moment where a loud alarm would break the mood. Instead of sound, the screen uses soft light, waves, and edge glow to help you notice when time is up. It keeps the practical clarity of a countdown, but gives each session a calmer visual rhythm. Key Features - Silent Glow Notifications: the screen pulses with light when time is up - Pomodoro-Style Flow: move from focus to break with a clearer pause between phases - Double-Tap Pause: pause or resume without opening menus - Fluid Light & Waves: layered wave animations follow the remaining time - Intuitive Gestures: swipe horizontally to adjust time, swipe vertically to switch presets - Distraction-Free Design: the interface fades away so your desk stays quiet - Gentle Focus Log: see today's focused time without turning productivity into pressure - Emotional Skins: choose colors for study, work, reading, rest, and late-night focus Premium Features - Unlock all premium visual skins with a one-time purchase - No subscriptions - No ads - No tracking Perfect For - Pomodoro focus sessions - Studying in libraries or quiet rooms - Desk work and deep work blocks - Reading and journaling - Meditation or breathing breaks - A silent visual timer you can keep beside you Glow Timer is not here to shout at you. It is a small luminous space for focus, rest, and returning to your own pace.

Screenshots

Sandglass34 screens
Glow Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sandglass3 at none against Glow Timer's 1. Sandglass3 also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.0). Glow Timer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 8 months). On price 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. Glow Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sandglass3 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sandglass3 ships an update every 8 months, Glow Timer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Sandglass3 versus Glow Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSandglass3Glow Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (11 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews43.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings11 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKeietsu YasuharaKazuma Takahashi

In-app purchases

None

Sandglass3

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Glow Timer

One-time1
  • Premium Mode$3.99

Questions

Is Sandglass3 free?
Sandglass3 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Glow Timer free?
Glow Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Sandglass3 or Glow Timer have ads?
Sandglass3 shows ads; Glow Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Sandglass3 or Glow Timer?
Sandglass3 ships an update every 8 months, and Glow Timer every 6 weeks. Most recently, Sandglass3 was updated on September 16, 2026 and Glow Timer on September 13, 2026.

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