# Meditation Timer vs Return... Meditation Timer

The clearest difference is price: Meditation Timer at Free against Return... Meditation Timer's $9.99. Meditation Timer also leads on ratings volume (220 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.1). Return... Meditation Timer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Meditation Timer is free to download; Return... Meditation Timer costs $9.99 up front. Meditation Timer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Return... Meditation Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Return... Meditation Timer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Meditation Timer has 220 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Meditation Timer ships an update fortnightly, Return... Meditation Timer every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Meditation Timer | Return... Meditation Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $9.99 |
| Rating | [4.8 (220 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meditation-timer-zenitizer/id6444767911/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/return-meditation-timer/id6756242021/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **220** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 90.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Freemium** | Paid |
| Size | 178 MB | 243 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 26.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Manuel Kehl](https://appshunter.io/developer/1656696237) | [Christopher Crosley](https://appshunter.io/developer/1746609307) |

## What reviewers say

### Meditation Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/meditation-timer-zenitizer/id6444767911)

This app provides a distraction-free environment for your meditation practice. Create custom routines, use interval bells for focus, and enjoy calming soundscapes. Track your progress with detailed statistics and stay motivated with daily goals and reminders.

**Highlights:** Customizable meditation routines, Interval bells for focus, Calming soundscapes, Meditation statistics and tracking, Daily goal setting and streak tracking, Smart reminder notifications, Widgets for Home Screen and Lock Screen

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Zenitizer+ Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Zenitizer+ Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Zenitizer+ Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Zenitizer+ Yearly | $39.99 | per year |
| Zenitizer+ Lifetime | $79.99 | one-time |
| Zenitizer+ Lifetime | $119.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple, intuitive, and distraction-free interface
- 🔔 Customizable bells, chimes, and sound options
- ⌚ Excellent Apple Watch integration
- 🎵 High-quality nature sounds and audio
- 💰 Affordable one-time or annual subscription

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💳 Confusing pricing model (free version very limited)
- 🔔 Default 1-minute interval bells too frequent for some users
- 📢 Aggressive subscription prompts in free version
- 🎵 Sound effects too quiet compared to bells
- 🎨 Could use visual refresh in some areas

**Reported bugs**

- Interval bells not functioning properly in some cases
- App hijacks AirPods from other devices without option to disable
- Apple Watch vibration cannot be turned off
- Crashes on Apple Watch (reported as fixed in v1.12.2)
- Subscription paywall appears before free trial experience

**Requested features**

- Mixer controls for independent bell and effects volume adjustment
- White noise and additional frequency options
- Custom background music upload capability
- Meditation reminders/notifications
- Dynamic Island and Lock Screen activity controls


### Return... Meditation Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/return-meditation-timer/id6756242021)

A minimalist, zen-inspired timer for establishing a consistent meditation practice. Offers immersive themes, flexible timer settings, and seamless integration across Apple devices. Prioritizes user privacy with no data collection or ads.

**Highlights:** Minimalist zen design, Four immersive themes, Customizable timer durations and bell sounds, Apple ecosystem support (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Watch, TV), HealthKit integration for Mindful Minutes, iCloud sync across devices, Privacy-focused, no ads or data collection

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Meditation Timer free?

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

### Is Return... Meditation Timer free?

Return... Meditation Timer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Meditation Timer or Return... Meditation Timer?

Return... Meditation Timer is rated higher. Meditation Timer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 220 ratings, while Return... Meditation Timer averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Meditation Timer or Return... Meditation Timer have ads?

Neither Meditation Timer nor Return... Meditation Timer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Meditation Timer or Return... Meditation Timer?

Meditation Timer ships an update fortnightly, and Return... Meditation Timer every 3 days. Most recently, Meditation Timer was updated on October 25, 2026 and Return... Meditation Timer on October 24, 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.*