Comparison

Sandy Timer vs Minimal Hourglass

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Sandy Timer

Simulates a real sand timer using your device's orientation. Simply flip your phone to start the countdown. Tap the screen to adjust timer settings.

Highlights
  • Realistic sand timer simulation
  • Device orientation control
  • Tap to change settings
  • Simple and intuitive interface
Features
Read full description

This a real sand timer app simulator. Gravity does its job... Just turn your device upside down to start the timer! Single tap the screen to change the timer options. Make sure to turn the device orientation lock Off... and turn it upside-down!

About

Minimal Hourglass

Features
Read full description

Minimal Hourglass is a simple and elegant visual timer app designed to help you stay focused without distractions. Watch time flow naturally with a beautifully animated hourglass timer that makes it easier to stay calm, centered, and productive. Whether you’re meditating, studying, cooking, or managing your child’s screen time, this sand timer provides a soothing and effective way to track time visually — without numbers or loud alarms. Key Features: • Minimalist hourglass animation with flowing sand • Multiple sand color options to match your mood or focus • Custom timer durations – set minutes and seconds freely • Elegant circular progress indicator • Simple one-tap start, pause, and reset controls • No internet required – works fully offline

Screenshots

Sandy Timer4 screens
Minimal Hourglass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Minimal Hourglass at none against Sandy Timer's 1. Minimal Hourglass also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). Sandy Timer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). On price 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

Both are free to download. Sandy Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Minimal Hourglass asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sandy Timer ships an update weekly, Minimal Hourglass every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on July 20, 2026 and September 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Sandy Timer versus Minimal Hourglass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSandy TimerMinimal Hourglass
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings6 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS26.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCesar Mejia ValeroSeulki Eom

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Sandy Timer

One-time1
  • Pro$3.99
None

Minimal Hourglass

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sandy Timer free?
Sandy Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Minimal Hourglass free?
Minimal Hourglass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Sandy Timer or Minimal Hourglass have ads?
Minimal Hourglass shows ads; Sandy Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Sandy Timer or Minimal Hourglass?
Sandy Timer ships an update weekly, and Minimal Hourglass every 2 months. Most recently, Sandy Timer was updated on July 20, 2026 and Minimal Hourglass on September 6, 2026.

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