# Cuckoo vs Timer

The clearest difference is rating: Timer at 4.4 against Cuckoo's 3.4. Timer also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (81 vs 16). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cuckoo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Timer has 81 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Cuckoo's written reviews are positive against 75% of Timer's.

Cuckoo ships an update every 3 months, Timer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cuckoo | Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cuckoo/id414022497/reviews) | **[4.4 (81 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-kitchen-timer-and-stopwatch/id1085996619/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **81** |
| Positive reviews | 68.0% of reviews | **75.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 42 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Toshihiko Tambo](https://appshunter.io/developer/406777331) | [woodsmall inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/708077492) |

## What reviewers say

### Cuckoo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cuckoo/id414022497)

This utility app simulates a cuckoo clock, chiming every hour and half-hour. Users can toggle the cuckoo sound on or off and customize alarm modes. Additional sounds and background images are available for purchase, along with an option to remove ads.

**Highlights:** Hourly and half-hourly cuckoo chimes, Customizable alarm modes, Add-on purchases for sounds and backgrounds, Ad removal option, Toggleable cuckoo sound

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cuckoo Premium Feature | $0.99 | one-time |


### Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-kitchen-timer-and-stopwatch/id1085996619)

This utility app provides a simple and stylish timer and stopwatch. It offers background notifications, customizable themes and alarm sounds, and vibration options. An optional plugin can remove ads.

**Highlights:** Background timer notifications, Selectable theme colors, Selectable alarm sounds, Vibration on/off, Tablet support

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly plan | $0.49 | per month |
| Annual plan | $5.99 | per year |
| Pay in full | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cuckoo free?

Cuckoo is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Timer free?

Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Cuckoo or Timer?

Timer is rated higher. Cuckoo averages 3.4 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Timer averages 4.4 from 81 ratings.

### Do Cuckoo or Timer have ads?

Both Cuckoo and Timer show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cuckoo or Timer?

Cuckoo ships an update every 3 months, and Timer fortnightly. Most recently, Cuckoo was updated on September 19, 2026 and Timer on September 17, 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.*