Comparison

Countdown vs Classicalc calculator

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

Classicalc calculator

This calculator app offers instant calculations as you type, following the mathematical order of operations. It features unique piano sound themes and allows seamless continuation of calculations across iPhone and Apple Watch. Your equations are automatically saved for convenience.

Highlights
  • Instant calculation as you type
  • Mathematical order of operators
  • Cross-device continuity (iPhone/Watch)
  • Automatic equation saving
  • 14 piano sound themes
  • Copy result to clipboard
Read full description

Classicalc is a unique, the most classy calculator app on the App Store. It's designed to be beautiful and simple, but also… to sound amazing! Each color theme has its own, actual Grand Piano major scale! It's Chopin-awesome! Underneath it beautiful simplicity, there's some serious technology powering Classicalc: ## Instant Calculation calculates the formula as you type, so you never have to use the equals sign (=). We spare you one unnecessary tap at a time. ## Classicalc calculates result using mathematical order of operators (× ÷ + -) so if you would like to add 1 to 1 and then multiply the result by 2, you should write (1 + 1) × 2 instead of 1 + 1 × 2 ## You can start your calculations on your iPhone, then Continue on your Apple Watch, and the other way around. ## Your most recent equation is always saved, even if you shut the app. When you run it again, The formula is instantly there. ## 14 great-looking backgrounds with related actual Grand Piano major scales. Change colors and major scales on iPhone app (by pressing little diamond in top-left corner) to change colors on Apple Watch. ## In case the numbers bore you, you can always play a song. It's Chopin-awesome! *** Tips *** - long press "backspace" button to clear whole expression (you can also force touch on your Watch) - long press the result on your iPhone/iPad to copy it to the system clipboard

Screenshots

Countdown4 screens
Classicalc calculator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Countdown at every 2 months against Classicalc calculator's every 20 months. Countdown also leads on rating (4.1 vs 3.8) and review sentiment (79% vs 63%). Classicalc calculator's advantage is device support (5 vs 2) and price ($0.99 vs $1.99). On ads and in-app purchases 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Countdown holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 41 and 13 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Countdown's written reviews are positive against 63% of Classicalc calculator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Countdown ships an update every 2 months, Classicalc calculator every 20 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Countdown versus Classicalc calculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCountdownClassicalc calculator
Price$1.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.1 (41 ratings) — better3.8 (13 ratings)
Positive reviews79.4% of reviews — better62.5% of reviews
Number of ratings41 — better13
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 20 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB14 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBitBit AppsLukasz Kowalski

Customer experience

Countdown

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

Classicalc calculator

All ratings13 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative37.5%

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

Classicalc calculator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Countdown

No in-app purchases

None

Classicalc calculator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Countdown free?
Countdown costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Classicalc calculator free?
Classicalc calculator costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Countdown or Classicalc calculator?
Countdown is rated higher. Countdown averages 4.1 out of 5 from 41 ratings, while Classicalc calculator averages 3.8 from 13 ratings.
Do Countdown or Classicalc calculator have ads?
Neither Countdown nor Classicalc calculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Countdown or Classicalc calculator?
Countdown ships an update every 2 months, and Classicalc calculator every 20 months. Most recently, Countdown was updated on October 8, 2026 and Classicalc calculator on October 3, 2026.

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