While vs The Mindful Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
While
This app provides a focused and distraction-free timer for experienced meditators. It offers a clean interface with customizable features to support your meditation sessions.
- Focused meditation timer
- Clean interface
- Customizable features
- Distraction-free sessions
- For experienced meditators
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The While timer is designed for experienced meditators who are seeking a focused tool for their practice. Offering a clean interface and customizable features, While supports your sessions without distractions.
The Mindful Timer
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Mindful timer is a free and open source interval timer for stretching, meditating, yin yoga, and other occasions where you want a simple timer with no ads, distractions, or other nonsense getting in your way.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Mindful Timer at none against While's 3. The Mindful Timer also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 16 months). While's advantage is iOS requirement (16.2 vs 18.6). On price, 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
Both are free to download. While sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.00 per month. The Mindful Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.
While ships an update every 16 months, The Mindful Timer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | While | The Mindful Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mike LaVigne | Charles Burgess |
In-app purchases
While
- Monthly Subscription$2.001 Month
- Yearly Subscription$10.001 Year
- Lifetime Access$3.99
The Mindful Timer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is While free?
Is The Mindful Timer free?
Do While or The Mindful Timer have ads?
Which is updated more often, While or The Mindful Timer?
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