# ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm vs DateSmith

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DateSmith at 100% against ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm's 45%. DateSmith also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and monetization model (free vs freemium). ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (5.6K vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and DateSmith sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

DateSmith holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm has 5.6K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 45% of ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm's written reviews are positive against 100% of DateSmith's.

ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm ships an update monthly, DateSmith every 9 months. Both last shipped on October 28, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm | DateSmith |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (5.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockz-desk-clock-and-alarm/id414587395/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datesmith-date-widgets/id6746695656/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **5.6K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 45.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 57 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.2 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Rage Box](https://appshunter.io/developer/360832186) | [Benjamin Staab](https://appshunter.io/developer/1680743368) |

## What reviewers say

### ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clockz-desk-clock-and-alarm/id414587395)

This app provides a customizable digital clock display with alarm, timer, and stopwatch functions. It offers features like photo backgrounds, automatic unlock, and large, easy-to-read visuals, optimized for nighttime use. Premium options unlock additional themes and battery display.

**Highlights:** Customizable digital clock display, Music alarm, Timer and stopwatch, Home screen widget, Photo and 3D map backgrounds, Automatic unlock, Battery display (premium)

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ClockZ Premium | $2.99 | per month |
| ClockZ Premium | $29.99 | per year |
| Good App | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tower Backgrounds | $1.99 | one-time |
| Place Backgrounds | $1.99 | one-time |
| Theme | $2.99 | one-time |
| Best App | $2.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $4.99 | one-time |
| Thank You | $4.99 | one-time |
| Never Give Up | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🕰️ Clear, large time display
- 📟 Accurate time keeping
- 🌙 Good for bedside clock use
- 🎨 Customizable colors and styles
- ⏱️ Useful timer and stopwatch features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model with limited free features
- 📢 Intrusive ads and pop-ups
- 🕰️ Lack of 12-hour time option
- 🔒 Issues with restoring purchases
- 🔋 Drains battery when left running

**Reported bugs**

- Sudden switch to 24-hour time mode
- Alarms not triggering as expected
- Ads reappearing after paid removal
- Crashes when deleting alarms
- Inconsistent time display when device is locked

**Requested features**

- Option to disable AM/PM indicator
- Ability to move clock position on screen
- Customizable alarm sounds and volume
- Background image/wallpaper support
- Improved timer functionality for tasks


### DateSmith

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/datesmith-date-widgets/id6746695656)

Enhance your iPhone's lock screen with a beautifully formatted date display. This app specializes in the premium space above your clock, offering customizable formats and reliable midnight updates. Track important events with a countdown mode and enjoy a minimalist, privacy-focused design.

**Highlights:** Custom date widget for above lock screen clock, Multiple widget formats, Personalized date formats, Countdown mode for events, Automatic midnight updates, Privacy-focused design, Battery efficient

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| DateSmith Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| DateSmith Yearly | $4.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm free?

ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is DateSmith free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm or DateSmith?

DateSmith is rated higher. ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm averages 4.5 out of 5 from 5.6K ratings, while DateSmith averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm or DateSmith have ads?

Neither ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm nor DateSmith shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm or DateSmith?

ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm ships an update monthly, and DateSmith every 9 months. Most recently, ClockZ | Desk Clock & Alarm was updated on October 28, 2026 and DateSmith on October 28, 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.*