Comparison

Serene Timer vs My Zen Place

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

Head to head
About

Serene Timer

This app provides a gentle and calm way to wake up or end meditation sessions. It uses sounds that gradually increase in volume, easing you into alertness without startling you. Ideal for naps and relaxation, it promotes a refreshed and centered feeling.

Highlights
  • Gradually increasing sound volume
  • Gentle wake-up experience
  • Supports meditation and naps
  • Calm and tranquil soundscapes
  • No harsh tones or jolts
Read full description

Tired of timers that shock you awake? Serene Timer offers a kinder, calmer way to wake up, perfect for meditation, naps, and relaxation. With sounds that gradually ramp up in volume, Serene Timer gently eases you back into alertness, leaving you refreshed and centered instead of startled. Whether you need a soft wake-up after a power nap or a gentle end to your meditation, Serene Timer is designed to support your wellness. No harsh tones, no jolts—just a smooth, tranquil rise that fits seamlessly into your routine. Discover the peaceful alternative to abrupt alarms.

About

My Zen Place

Features
Read full description

In a world that’s getting louder and faster, the small beautiful things are what keep you grounded. My Zen Place is a quiet pocket of calm—where you can slow down, create, and come back to yourself, one gentle moment at a time. Build your calm world: sculpt warm sand, pour shimmering water, place stones, trees, lanterns, cabins, and temples. Watch dusk settle, windows glow, and fireflies appear. Every small touch rewards attention. Breathe. Draw. Let the day loosen its grip. Now, watch stress turn to stillness. Each swipe shapes the sand. Each ripple answers back. Meet the Touch → Ripple → Calm Loop — your shortcut to focus and quiet. No logins. No ads. Works fully offline — even in airplane mode. Need a quick reset? Tap the 96-second Box-Breathing cycle (4-4-4-4) and feel your pulse slow. Want pure drift? Switch on the Meditation Camera — a slow orbit and time-lapse light that breathe with you. Layer your soundscape to match any mood: rain for grounding, piano for softness, wind for distance, birds for life, white noise for focus, and an optional 528 Hz tone for deep calm. Features you’ll feel • Calming sandbox gameplay – draw in responsive sand, paint in water, and nudge objects with satisfying tactile feedback. • Meditation Camera – hands-free orbit with time-lapse lighting; perfect for winding down. • Box-Breathing reset – guided 96 seconds (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4) to steady nerves fast. • Layered ASMR audio – mix rain, wind, birds, white noise, mellow piano, 528 Hz tone; combine freely. • Day–Night & weather – dawn/day/dusk/night cycles, gentle rain, and subtle atmospheric details. • Object library – rocks, sakura, lanterns, cabins, temples, and more — arrange, rotate, and craft your scene. • Save & revisit – keep multiple gardens with thumbnails; return anytime to refine or relax. • Friendly controls – visual breathing cues, smooth swipes. • Fully offline – ideal for flights, trains, commutes, and spotty connections; no data required. How it fits your day: Morning focus. Midday reset. Night-time unwind. My Zen Place fits wherever calm fits best — at your desk, on a plane, or in bed before sleep. The Touch → Ripple → Calm Loop makes every interaction restorative, not demanding. Start a 96-second reset when stress spikes, or switch to the Meditation Camera and let the world breathe for you. No accounts. No notifications. No pressure. Just sand, ripples, and breath — waiting for your touch.

Screenshots

Serene Timer4 screens
My Zen Place4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Serene Timer at Free against My Zen Place's $5.99. Serene Timer also leads on ads (none vs shown). My Zen Place's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 7 months) and device support (4 vs 1). On in-app purchases 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

Serene Timer is free to download; My Zen Place costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Serene Timer ships an update every 7 months, My Zen Place every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Serene Timer versus My Zen Place: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSerene TimerMy Zen Place
PriceFree — better$5.99
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB250 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSebastian RuhlederOctavian Alexandru Tudor

In-app purchases

None

Serene Timer

No in-app purchases

None

My Zen Place

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Serene Timer free?
Serene Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is My Zen Place free?
My Zen Place costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Serene Timer or My Zen Place have ads?
My Zen Place shows ads; Serene Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Serene Timer or My Zen Place?
Serene Timer ships an update every 7 months, and My Zen Place every 2 weeks. Most recently, Serene Timer was updated on October 23, 2026 and My Zen Place on October 30, 2026.

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