Hourglass vs MindAstra
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Hourglass
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This is an approximately 3-minute hourglass that uses physics simulation to recreate realistic movements. You can enjoy watching the grains of sand smoothly fall under natural gravity while keeping track of time. With a simple and intuitive design, it's an ideal tool for meditation or improving focus. When the gyroscope sensor is enabled, the movement of the sand adjusts in real-time according to the tilt of your device. Each session offers a different atmosphere, allowing you to relax and experience the comforting analog feel within a digital space.
MindAstra
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Ideas grow from a center. MindAstra is a radial mind mapping app designed for visual thinking. Unlike traditional tree-based mind maps, MindAstra starts with a central idea and lets thoughts expand naturally in every direction. With a clear node structure and spatial layout, you can understand the big picture while exploring details step by step. A more natural way to think. Ideas are not always linear. One topic can connect to many directions, and one inspiration can lead to countless possibilities. MindAstra helps you: β’ Start from a central idea β’ Expand thoughts naturally β’ Move between overview and details β’ Understand relationships more clearly Designed for different thinking scenarios. Learning Build knowledge frameworks, organize study materials, and make complex topics easier to understand. Creative Thinking Capture ideas, explore possibilities, and develop creative concepts visually. Planning Break down goals, structure complex thoughts, and turn ideas into clear directions. Simple and focused. MindAstra focuses on a calm and intuitive thinking experience: β’ Radial mind layouts β’ Clear node structures β’ Natural exploration β’ Minimal visual design Organizing ideas is not just about recording information. It is about discovering connections. Start with one idea. Create your own thought space with MindAstra. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/appstore/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hourglass at none against MindAstra's 1. Hourglass also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). MindAstra's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. MindAstra sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Hourglass asks for nothing beyond the download.
Hourglass ships an update every 4 days, MindAstra fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 12, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Hourglass | MindAstra |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days β better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | Yes | No β better |
| In-app purchases | No β better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 β better |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 27 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | kenji abe | δΈ½ζ εΌ |
In-app purchases
Hourglass
No in-app purchases
MindAstra
- MindAstra Pro$3.99
Questions
Is Hourglass free?
Is MindAstra free?
Do Hourglass or MindAstra have ads?
Which is updated more often, Hourglass or MindAstra?
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