# Best Timer vs Countdown

Best Timer and Countdown both sit at 3.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 79% of Countdown's written reviews are positive against 61% of Best Timer's. Countdown also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). Best Timer's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $1.99) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 18.0). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Best Timer costs $0.99 and Countdown $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Countdown holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 41 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 61% of Best Timer's written reviews are positive against 79% of Countdown's.

Best Timer ships an update every 7 months, Countdown every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 19, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Best Timer | Countdown |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [3.9 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-timer/id415656570/reviews) | **[4.1 (41 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-big-timer-and-clock/id582556043/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 22 | **41** |
| Positive reviews | 60.8% of reviews | **79.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 49 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Serhii Simkovskyi](https://appshunter.io/developer/959904647) | [BitBit Apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/507383985) |

## What reviewers say

### Best Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-timer/id415656570)

This app offers a versatile suite of timekeeping tools, including a sand timer, kitchen timer, countdown, and stopwatch. It visually represents time, making it easy to understand for all ages, and provides customizable alarm sounds and color themes.

**Highlights:** Digitized sand timer with artistic design, Kitchen timer with visual minute indicator, Futuristic countdown/count up timer, Powerful stopwatch with lap/split modes, Kid-friendly time visualization, Customizable alarm sounds and repeat options, Multiple color themes

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Elegant design
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🕰️ Versatile timer options
- 🔊 Nice selection of alarm sounds

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sound issues (no sound, alarm not working)
- ⏱️ Limited timer duration (e.g. hourglass max 12 mins)
- 🎨 Limited color/theme options
- 🔍 Lack of high-contrast mode

**Reported bugs**

- Stopwatch lap timer bug
- Compatibility issues with iOS updates
- Freezing/crashing on certain devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to use custom music/sounds for alarms
- Interval/workout timer mode
- Vibration option for alerts
- More color/theme customization
- Larger/full-screen timer display


### Countdown

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/countdown-big-timer-and-clock/id582556043)

A minimalist, full-screen timer app designed for high visibility. It offers stopwatch, timer, and clock modes with customizable alerts and advanced control options. Ideal for events and games where a clear time display is essential.

**Highlights:** Full-screen countdown timer, Stopwatch, timer, and clock modes, Customizable chime or air horn alerts, Adjustable countdown duration up to 10 hours, Color-coded time display, Optional tenths of a second display, Bluetooth keyboard control

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 🖥️ Large, clear display
- ⏱️ Works as a countdown, stopwatch, and clock
- 🎨 Customizable colors
- 🔊 Audible alarms (air horn/chime)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Perceived as expensive for simplicity
- 🔊 Alarm sounds could be higher quality
- 🔄 AirPlay/external display rotation issues
- ⏳ Screen can turn off after timer ends
- 🚫 No standard white number option

**Reported bugs**

- App cannot be quit on iOS 12.4
- Phone heats up and slows down (reported once)
- AirPlay/external display rotation issues (upside down/cut off)
- Screen turns off after timer ends, requiring unlock

**Requested features**

- Show elapsed time after countdown ends
- Airhorn as an option to start a countdown
- European clock format (24h)
- Countdown to a specific date and time
- Add seconds to the clock display


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Best Timer free?

Best Timer costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Countdown free?

Countdown costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Best Timer or Countdown?

Countdown is rated higher. Best Timer averages 3.9 out of 5 from 22 ratings, while Countdown averages 4.1 from 41 ratings.

### Do Best Timer or Countdown have ads?

Neither Best Timer nor Countdown shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Best Timer or Countdown?

Best Timer ships an update every 7 months, and Countdown every 2 months. Most recently, Best Timer was updated on October 19, 2026 and Countdown on October 16, 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.*