# Cuckoo vs Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer

The clearest difference is rating: Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer at 4.6 against Cuckoo's 3.4. Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (89% vs 68%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Cuckoo sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer has 302 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 89% of Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer's.

Cuckoo ships an update every 3 months, Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Cuckoo | Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.4 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cuckoo/id414022497/reviews) | **[4.6 (302 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-timer-and-alarm-listtimer/id890352174/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 16 | **302** |
| Positive reviews | 68.0% of reviews | **89.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 42 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Toshihiko Tambo](https://appshunter.io/developer/406777331) | [Lemon LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1571526603) |

## 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 |


### Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simple-timer-and-alarm-listtimer/id890352174)

This app offers a simple, one-tap timer for various activities like focus, study, and workouts. It displays finish times, works in the background with notifications, and supports vibration for silent mode. An upgrade option removes ads and adds lock screen countdowns and custom sounds.

**Highlights:** One-tap start, Finish times displayed, Background notifications, Vibration for silent mode, Easy repeat function, Battery friendly operation

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ListTime One Weeek | $0.49 | per 7 days |
| ListTimer Plus | $2.49 | per month |
| ListTimer Plus | $14.99 | per year |
| ListTimer Plus | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- ⏱️ Seconds display feature (unlike Apple's native timer)
- 🔇 True silent/vibration-only alert option
- 🎯 Multiple simultaneous timers capability
- ✅ Highly reliable and consistent performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Alarm doesn't always trigger when app is closed
- 📢 Intrusive and frequent advertisements
- 🔊 Ad sounds play despite silent timer setting
- ⚙️ Awkward repeat function toggle in settings
- 📱 Requires app to remain open for vibration alerts

**Reported bugs**

- Alarm fails to trigger when app is closed or locked
- Vibration doesn't work reliably in background
- App fails to download (stuck on iCloud icon)
- Notification bar alert insufficient to wake users
- Inconsistent vibration performance in some scenarios

**Requested features**

- 12-hour time format option for end-time display
- Independent alarm volume control (separate from phone volume)
- Simpler repeat function toggle (zero repeat option in settings)
- Text/description field to note what timer is for
- Interval repetition with alerts


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Cuckoo free?

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

### Is Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer free?

Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Cuckoo or Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer?

Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer is rated higher. Cuckoo averages 3.4 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer averages 4.6 from 302 ratings.

### Do Cuckoo or Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer have ads?

Both Cuckoo and Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Cuckoo or Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer?

Cuckoo ships an update every 3 months, and Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer every 5 days. Most recently, Cuckoo was updated on September 19, 2026 and Simple Timer & Alarm ListTimer on September 28, 2026.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*