Comparison

Countdown vs Big Tap Digital Stopwatch

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Countdown

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
Read full description

Replace the old sand timer in your favorite game with one that packs a punch! The countdown takes center stage in this app as a full-screen timer counts down the seconds. Run silently, or play a chime or air horn sound to let everyone know that time is up! Perfect for TV broadcasts, classrooms, debates, game shows, sporting events, or anywhere a highly visible stopwatch, timer, or clock with a streamlined appearance is needed. Features: + Beautiful design, maximizing countdown visibility + Tap anywhere to start or stop the countdown + Three modes - stopwatch, timer, or clock + Set a countdown up to 10 hours + Display the time in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, or purple Advanced features: + Optionally show tenths of a second during the last minute for extra excitement + Optionally flash during the last ten seconds + Optionally play an air horn or a chime sound when time is up + Optionally show elapsed time after the timer reaches 0:00 (double-tap or long-press the Timer icon on the settings screen to choose) + The device will not sleep while the timer is running + Background notifications make sure you know when your timer ends + Double-tap the time on the settings screen to switch between 1, 5, and 15-second increments Super-advanced features: + Control the timer remotely using a Bluetooth keyboard: The space bar starts/stops, escape resets, and you can change the countdown time by typing a number followed by enter. + Display the timer on an external screen using AirPlay mirroring, while keeping the controls visible only on your device! + Use side-by-side with other apps on iPad in slide-over or split-view mode

About

Big Tap Digital Stopwatch

This stopwatch app allows for easy start and stop by tapping anywhere on the screen. It offers large, clear displays in both landscape and portrait modes, with extensive customization options for colors and fonts. The app also prevents screen locking and can maintain landscape orientation.

Highlights
  • Tap anywhere to start/stop
  • Large landscape and portrait displays
  • Customizable background and text colors
  • Multiple font options
  • Saves previous times
  • Prevents screen lock
Features
Read full description

Big Tap Display Stopwatch makes it effortless to start and stop the stopwatch by tapping any part of the screen. With both Landscape and Portrait displays it is easy to see the Time easily in large clear font. Fully customizable display with 6 Background Colors, 6 Text Colors and 4 available Fonts. App Features - Large Landscape and Portrait Displays - Saves Previous Times - 4 Different Fonts - 6 Background Colors - 6 Text Colors - Just Tap the Screen to Start/Stop the Stopwatch - Prevent the Screen from Locking while App is Open - Can Force App to Stay in Landscape Mode (except on iPad) This App was developed as an easy way to Start and Stop a stopwatch without having to look at the screen, because the buttons never move if in Portrait or Landscape. We also wanted to stop the device from being auto-locked, which would stop you from starting or stopping the clock. Privacy Policy - https://inspired-apps.co.uk/big-tap-counter-privacy-policy/ Terms & Conditions - https://inspired-apps.co.uk/big-tap-stopwatch-terms-conditions/

Screenshots

Countdown4 screens
Big Tap Digital Stopwatch4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Big Tap Digital Stopwatch at Free against Countdown's $1.99. Big Tap Digital Stopwatch also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months). Countdown's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Big Tap Digital Stopwatch is free to download; Countdown costs $1.99 up front. Big Tap Digital Stopwatch sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Countdown asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Big Tap Digital Stopwatch holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Big Tap Digital Stopwatch has 221 ratings behind it against 41, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 79% of Countdown's written reviews are positive against 69% of Big Tap Digital Stopwatch's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Countdown ships an update every 2 months, Big Tap Digital Stopwatch every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Countdown versus Big Tap Digital Stopwatch: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCountdownBig Tap Digital Stopwatch
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.1 (41 ratings)4.6 (221 ratings) — better
Positive reviews79.4% of reviews — better69.2% of reviews
Number of ratings41221 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBitBit AppsDavid Dempsey

Customer experience

Countdown

All ratings41 ratings
Positive78.0%
Neutral9.8%
Negative12.2%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive79.4%
Neutral12.7%
Negative7.9%

Big Tap Digital Stopwatch

All ratings221 ratings
Positive90.5%
Neutral4.5%
Negative5.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive69.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.8%

Bugs and requests

Countdown

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • 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

24 requests
  • 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
Show 19 more
  • Fully hide menu/iPhone switchbar
  • Six-digit format
  • Multiple timers open simultaneously
  • Changeable background colors
  • Selectable/longer horn sound
  • Control from Apple Watch
  • Timer visible in other apps/home screen
  • Beep chime for the last 3 seconds
  • Flash color matching clock color
  • Prevent screen from shutting off when app is open
  • Option for alarm to repeat
  • Customizable 'countdown to start' feature
  • More sound variations
  • Visual clue for count-up feature
  • Count up screen background white only if flash is on
  • Tap twice anywhere to reset
  • Second, non-air horn, pleasant chime sound
  • Option to show seconds for clock display
  • Portrait mode option

Big Tap Digital Stopwatch

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Countdown

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Big Tap Digital Stopwatch

One-time1
  • Remove adverts$7.99

Questions

Is Countdown free?
Countdown costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Big Tap Digital Stopwatch free?
Big Tap Digital Stopwatch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Countdown or Big Tap Digital Stopwatch?
Big Tap Digital Stopwatch is rated higher. Countdown averages 4.1 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Big Tap Digital Stopwatch averages 4.6 from 221 ratings.
Do Countdown or Big Tap Digital Stopwatch have ads?
Big Tap Digital Stopwatch shows ads; Countdown does not.
Which is updated more often, Countdown or Big Tap Digital Stopwatch?
Countdown ships an update every 2 months, and Big Tap Digital Stopwatch every 11 days. Most recently, Countdown was updated on October 16, 2026 and Big Tap Digital Stopwatch on October 18, 2026.

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