Sandglass3 vs Glow Timer
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.
Glow Timer
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Glow Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sandglass3 asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
| Parameter | Sandglass3 | Glow Timer |
|---|---|---|
| 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 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 43 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Keietsu Yasuhara | Kazuma Takahashi |
In-app purchases
Sandglass3
No in-app purchases
Glow Timer
- Premium Mode$3.99









