# While vs The Mindful Timer

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | While | The Mindful Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | **Every 6 weeks** |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Size | 54 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.2** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mike LaVigne](https://appshunter.io/developer/1718075779) | [Charles Burgess](https://appshunter.io/developer/481548260) |

## What reviewers say

### While

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/while-the-meditation-timer/id6472903857)

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.

**Highlights:** Focused meditation timer, Clean interface, Customizable features, Distraction-free sessions, For experienced meditators

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $2.00 | per month |
| Yearly Subscription | $10.00 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $3.99 | one-time |


### The Mindful Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-mindful-timer/id6748192634)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is While free?

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

### Is The Mindful Timer free?

The Mindful Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do While or The Mindful Timer have ads?

Neither While nor The Mindful Timer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, While or The Mindful Timer?

While ships an update every 16 months, and The Mindful Timer every 6 weeks. Most recently, While was updated on October 2, 2026 and The Mindful Timer on October 3, 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.*