Comparison

Countdown vs Disco Timer

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

Disco Timer

This app provides a visually intuitive countdown timer for various tasks, from cooking to presentations. Its unique rotary gesture for setting time and large display make it easy to use and read from a distance. Customize alerts and colors for a personalized experience.

Highlights
  • Rotary gesture time setting
  • Large, high-contrast display
  • Glanceable from a distance
  • Disable auto-lock option
  • Customizable color combinations (Premium)
  • Variety of exclusive alert tones
Features
Read full description

Boiling an egg, timing a presentation, or starting your next Pomodoro – Disco Timer is a universal countdown clock for all sorts of tasks. Setting the timer duration is based on 60-minute circle of traditional analog watches – you just wind it up with a single rotary gesture. Then tap the display to run, pause, or reset the timer. Large, high-contrast representation of the remaining time makes it glanceable from quite a distance. And an option to disable the Auto-Lock can keep the device awake while the timer is running. This comes in very handy when keeping an eye on the progress is as important as the finishing time itself. The face of the timer can be customized by choosing from a variety of color combinations (Premium feature). And for the completion alert – you can select from a dozen great-sounding tones, all of which are crafted exclusively for Codulis apps. Give Disco Timer a try, and let us know what you think!

Screenshots

Countdown4 screens
Disco Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Disco Timer at Free against Countdown's $1.99. Disco Timer also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and review sentiment (89% vs 79%). Countdown's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Disco Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 97 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Countdown's written reviews are positive against 89% of Disco Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Countdown ships an update every 2 months, Disco Timer every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Countdown versus Disco Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCountdownDisco Timer
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.1 (41 ratings)4.7 (97 ratings) — better
Positive reviews79.4% of reviews89.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4197 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBitBit AppsCodulis

Customer experience

Countdown

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

Disco Timer

All ratings97 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral2.1%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive89.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative5.3%

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

Disco Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Countdown

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Disco Timer

One-time1
  • Disco Timer Premium$2.99

Questions

Is Countdown free?
Countdown costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Disco Timer free?
Disco Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Countdown or Disco Timer?
Disco Timer is rated higher. Countdown averages 4.1 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Disco Timer averages 4.7 from 97 ratings.
Do Countdown or Disco Timer have ads?
Neither Countdown nor Disco Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Countdown or Disco Timer?
Countdown ships an update every 2 months, and Disco Timer every 5 months. Most recently, Countdown was updated on September 22, 2026 and Disco Timer on September 12, 2026.

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