# Alarm Clock HD vs ZenClock

The clearest difference is rating: Alarm Clock HD at 4.5 against ZenClock's 4.0. Alarm Clock HD also leads on ratings volume (104K vs 4) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). ZenClock's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs freemium). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Alarm Clock HD sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and ZenClock sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Alarm Clock HD holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Alarm Clock HD has 104K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 32% of Alarm Clock HD's written reviews are positive against 50% of ZenClock's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Alarm Clock HD ships an update fortnightly, ZenClock every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Alarm Clock HD | ZenClock |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (104K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alarm-clock-hd/id476555713/reviews)** | [4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zenclock-minimal-clock/id953822313/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **104K** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 31.8% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Freemium | **Free** |
| Size | 230 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.6** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Impala Studios](https://appshunter.io/developer/1063279743) | [Socially Conscious Software LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/302019503) |

## What reviewers say

### Alarm Clock HD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/alarm-clock-hd/id476555713)

Wake up gently with your favorite music or sounds using this advanced alarm clock. It offers customizable nightstand displays, sleep tracking, and a sleep timer to help you unwind. Enjoy features like local weather and an instant flashlight, with an option to go ad-free via subscription.

**Highlights:** Unlimited alarms with Apple Music or custom sounds, Sleep tracking, Customizable nightstand display, Sleep timer, Local weather information, Instant flashlight, Screen saver for OLED displays

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium member - 1 month | $1.49 | per month |
| Premium Features - Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Features - Monthly | $2.59 | per month |
| Upgrade to Premium Features | $5.49 | per 6 months |
| Premium Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $11.99 | per year |
| Upgrade Your Alarm Clock | $14.99 | per year |
| Premium yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Premium yearly | $29.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Reliable alarm clock
- 🎨 Customizable colors
- 🔊 Ability to use music as alarm
- 💤 Gradual volume increase

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Alarm not going off
- 🔍 Difficulty seeing small buttons/text
- 💸 Subscription model for ad-free version
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔇 Alarm muting phone volume

**Reported bugs**

- Alarm randomly snoozing itself
- Alarm not working when phone is muted
- Alarm sound not playing
- Alarm screen freezing/crashing

**Requested features**

- 24-hour clock option
- More alarm sounds/tones
- Ability to use own music files
- Do not disturb mode


### ZenClock

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zenclock-minimal-clock/id953822313)

This app transforms your iPad or iPhone into a visually appealing desk clock. It offers interactive time displays with customizable background color modes, including a unique spectrum that cycles through millions of colors over time.

**Highlights:** Minimalist design, Interactive time display, Widgets for quick access, Single background color modes, Color Clock modes with spectrum cycling, Optimized for desk stands

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Zen Clock Plus Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Zen Clock Plus Yearly | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Alarm Clock HD free?

Alarm Clock HD is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ZenClock free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Alarm Clock HD or ZenClock?

Alarm Clock HD is rated higher. Alarm Clock HD averages 4.5 out of 5 from 104K ratings, while ZenClock averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Alarm Clock HD or ZenClock have ads?

Alarm Clock HD shows ads; ZenClock does not.

### Which is updated more often, Alarm Clock HD or ZenClock?

Alarm Clock HD ships an update fortnightly, and ZenClock every 3 months. Most recently, Alarm Clock HD was updated on October 18, 2026 and ZenClock on October 6, 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.*