Comparison

TapCount® vs Surface Time

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

Head to head
About

TapCount®

Features
Read full description

Key features: - Beautiful realistic interface - Multiple colors - Multiple app colors - Hold to speed up - Interactive and colorful widgets - Haptic feedbacks - Customizable names for app and widgets

About

Surface Time

This app encourages you to put your phone down with an intuitive, button-free timer. It uses subtle haptics and visual cues to guide you, and offers unique notification options like LED flash or calming sounds. Track your progress towards daily goals and customize them for different tasks.

Highlights
  • Button-free timer operation
  • Intuitive haptic feedback
  • Visual timer progression
  • LED flash notifications
  • Calming sound alerts
  • Customizable daily goals
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Timer apps are usually always simple with few buttons, but Surface takes this simplicity to the next level. With no buttons, taps, or swipes, the timer just turns on and off. It is designed to intuitively encourage you to put your phone down. The timer values peek from a small circle, and as you move your iPhone across angles, the circle expands with subtle haptics, nudging you to keep going and rest your phone on the surface facing down. The hidden yet visible options for Settings and Goals are not only designed to prevent opening when you might accidentally touch or swipe when flipping your phone, but are also intentionally uninviting for you to interact. However, the moment you choose to do interact, it transforms itself into a beautiful control. A control that encourages you to make a gesture and intentionally reveal the hidden features. The app is mainly aimed to help you stay focused in your work while keeping your phone at arms reach. But it is truly versatile, and I personally found myself using this everywhere. For instance in the kitchen, when my hands are dirty and I don't want to touch the screen or shout at my voice assistants, or to monitor my workouts with intervals. I'm sure there are many more ways to use this! For basic timer features, you'll never have to touch the screen or press any buttons. Just flip your iPhone back up to reveal the screen and the timer pauses. Then, you can shake to reset or flip back down to resume. Notifications: Surface uses backside LED flash to signal when timer begins. You can also set periodic notifications using LED flash or using calming sounds, such as of Himalayan Bowl or Guitar Strum to keep rough track of duration without looking at your timer. Goals: By default, your surface time per day is always saved and visible from the Goals view. You can adjust this goal to whatever duration you want. Plus, you can create custom everyday color-coded goals for different tasks and monitor your everyday progress.

Screenshots

TapCount®4 screens
Surface Time4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TapCount® at none against Surface Time's 1. Surface Time's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Surface Time sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TapCount® asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TapCount® ships an update monthly, Surface Time weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
TapCount® versus Surface Time: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTapCount®Surface Time
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—3 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPascal JesenbergerNeel Makhecha

In-app purchases

None

TapCount®

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Surface Time

One-time1
  • Surface - One Time Purchase$5.99

Questions

Is TapCount® free?
TapCount® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Surface Time free?
Surface Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TapCount® or Surface Time have ads?
Neither TapCount® nor Surface Time shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TapCount® or Surface Time?
TapCount® ships an update monthly, and Surface Time weekly. Most recently, TapCount® was updated on October 7, 2026 and Surface Time on October 5, 2026.

Other comparisons