Stage Timer vs PromptBook
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Stage Timer
This app provides precise timing for live events, presentations, and performances. It offers a clear display, intuitive controls, and multi-device synchronization to keep everyone on track. Enhance your event management with customizable features and a sleek interface.
- Precision timer display with progress bar
- Intuitive start, pause, and reset controls
- Multi-device synchronized timer sessions
- Fullscreen mode for presentations
- Customizable messages on screen
- Advanced settings like dark mode and auto-start
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StageTimer is a powerful, versatile, and intuitive timer app designed for professionals, educators, event hosts, and performers who need precision timing for live events, presentations, conferences, and stage performances. With its sleek interface, robust functionality, and seamless multi-device connectivity, StageTimer helps you stay on track, manage your time efficiently, and ensure your events run smoothly. Whether you’re a teacher timing classroom activities, a presenter coordinating your speech, or an event organizer managing multiple timers across devices, StageTimer provides you with an elegant, customizable timing solution. Enjoy a large, easy-to-read timer display accompanied by interactive controls that let you start, pause, reset, and update your timer with just a few taps. Plus, thanks to its innovative multi-device connectivity, you can share timer sessions across several devices—keeping your entire team or audience perfectly synchronized no matter where they are. But StageTimer isn’t just about keeping time—it’s about enhancing your entire event experience. Use the fullscreen mode for a distraction-free view that’s ideal for large presentations, or set custom messages to display important cues or instructions directly on the timer screen. Every aspect of the app has been designed with both aesthetics and functionality in mind, ensuring that your timing experience is not only accurate but also visually appealing. StageTimer offers a rich settings menu that empowers you to tailor the app to your exact needs. Set your default duration, enable auto‑start for immediate timing, toggle between dark and light modes, or keep your screen on during critical moments. And for those who demand even more, our premium upgrade unlocks advanced features like multi‑device sharing, remote controls, custom themes, and audio alerts. With a one‑time payment, you can upgrade to premium—no recurring subscriptions, just professional-grade tools that are yours forever. Every detail of StageTimer is crafted to ensure a seamless and intuitive user experience. The user-friendly interface, paired with clear controls and flexible options, makes it simple to focus on your performance rather than fiddling with settings. Whether you’re preparing for a live stage performance, running a workshop, or simply managing everyday tasks, StageTimer is the perfect companion to keep you punctual and in control. Join thousands of satisfied users who have elevated their timing game. With StageTimer, you’re not just managing time—you’re mastering it. Key Features: • Precision Timer Display with a dynamic progress bar • Intuitive Start, Pause, and Reset Controls • Customizable Timer Duration (up to 1 hour for free users, 24 hours for premium) • Multi-Device Connectivity for Synchronized Timer Sessions • Fullscreen Mode for Distraction-Free Presentations • Custom Messaging for On-Screen Instructions • Advanced Settings including Dark Mode, Auto‑Start, and “Keep Screen On” • Premium Upgrade with a One‑Time Payment (No Subscription) • Remote Controls, Custom Themes, and Audio Alerts (Premium) • Sleek, User-Friendly Interface Designed for Professionals Download StageTimer today and experience the ultimate tool for managing your time. Whether you’re leading a classroom, staging a live performance, or orchestrating a large event, StageTimer ensures you’re always in control—and always on time. Your payment will be charged to your Apple ID account. In-app purchases are processed by Apple and are subject to their standard terms and conditions. By downloading StageTimer, you agree to Apple's End User License Agreement (available at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/) as well as our Privacy Policy, which is available at https://mattcowlin.com/policies/privacy.html. Please review these terms carefully before making any purchase.
PromptBook
This professional tool allows stage managers and theatre technicians to import scripts, mark cues with precision, and annotate using Apple Pencil. It facilitates the creation of complete prompt books and offers real-time collaboration features for theatre production teams.
- Precision cue marking with text snapping
- Color-coded cue lists for departments
- Apple Pencil annotation and drawing
- Configurable page layouts and reader line
- PDF and CSV export options
- Real-time collaboration with shared sessions
- iCloud sync across devices
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PromptBook is the professional cue-marking tool built for stage managers and theatre technicians. Import your script, mark your cues, annotate with Apple Pencil, and produce a complete prompt book. MARK CUES WITH PRECISION • Drag to select text and place cue marks that snap to the script baseline • Double-tap to place point cues at exact positions • Place multiple cues from different lists at the same moment with multi-cue mode • Auto-generate standby cues that reference upcoming sequences (e.g. "Standby LX5-8, SFX4-9") • Support for Scores and mixed scripts ORGANISE YOUR SCRIPT • Create unlimited colour-coded cue lists — LX, SFX, VFX, Fly, or any custom department • Auto-renumber cues with configurable intervals and start points • Click-to-renumber for precise manual sequencing • Toggle list visibility without losing data Collaborative editing: * Share your script with the whole team * Script owner can make the script read only * Assign editors for each cue list or notes layer people can only edit what they are supposed to * Changes sync to all participant devices in real time * Make private notes layers * Works offline and resyncs on connection * When the share is stopped choose to keep a local editable copy MAKE NOTES • See handwritten notes made on iPad • Create named annotation layers — Director Notes, Sound Notes, Blocking, and more • Place floating text notes anywhere on the page FLEXIBLE LAYOUTS • 10 configurable page layouts: cross-page with annotation panels, on-page inline, or full-width • Show Mode with a configurable reader line — cues above fade, upcoming cues highlight • Light and Dark Modes IMPORT UPDATED SCRIPTS • Import new versions of scripts with version history and automatic cue transfer. AUTOMATIC CUE LISTS • Available in app or in various export formats based on the selected cue text. EXPORT & SHARE • Export your complete prompt book as PDF — binder layout or single-page inline • Export cue sheets as PDF or ETC EOS-compatible CSV • Choose which departments and annotation layers to include • Import PDF or Word document scripts with automatic OCR for scanned pages SYNC ACROSS DEVICES • iCloud sync keeps your scripts, cues, and annotations up to date • Annotation previews appear on Mac even without Apple Pencil • Viewer app on iPhone
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: PromptBook at 100% against Stage Timer's 13%. PromptBook also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.9) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 months). Stage Timer's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid) and ratings volume (16 vs 3). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Stage Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PromptBook sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
PromptBook holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stage Timer has 16 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of Stage Timer's written reviews are positive against 100% of PromptBook's.
Stage Timer ships an update every 2 months, PromptBook every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Stage Timer | PromptBook |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.9 (16 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 12.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 16 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 17 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | MSDC TECHNOLOGIES LTD | James Appleby |
Customer experience
Stage Timer
PromptBook
In-app purchases
Stage Timer
- Stage Timer Pro$17.99
PromptBook
- Promptbook Pro$24.99
Questions
Is Stage Timer free?
Is PromptBook free?
Which has better reviews, Stage Timer or PromptBook?
Do Stage Timer or PromptBook have ads?
Which is updated more often, Stage Timer or PromptBook?
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