Comparison

Serene Timer vs Sesshin

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

Sesshin

Features
Read full description

Sesshin is a minimal, distraction-free meditation timer for iPhone and Apple Watch, built for practitioners of Zen. Set your sitting duration, start your session, and let Sesshin guide the way. Traditional bells mark the beginning and end of each period. Wooden clappers signal kinhin (walking meditation) transitions. Quiet interval bells help you mark the middle of your sit without checking the clock. Features - Zazen & kinhin — Time a single seated period or a full sequence: zazen, kinhin walking, zazen - Traditional sounds — Bells and wooden clappers at each phase transition, with fully configurable counts - Enso arc — A circular arc traces session progress; a figure shifts between sitting and walking postures - Live Activity — Remaining time stays visible on the Dynamic Island and Lock Screen - Apple Watch — Full timer and complications on your wrist - HealthKit — Completed sessions saved as mindful minutes in Apple Health - Daily goal — Set a daily sitting goal and track your streak in History - Configurable — Adjust duration, bell counts, start delay, auto-progression, and interval bells to match your tradition No accounts. No ads. No subscriptions. Just your practice.

Screenshots

Serene Timer4 screens
Sesshin4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: Sesshin at 3 against Serene Timer's 1. Serene Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (17.5 vs 26.2). On price, ads and 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Serene Timer versus Sesshin: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSerene TimerSesshin
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 7 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.5 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSebastian RuhlederDERRICK ORION CALLOWAY

In-app purchases

None

Serene Timer

No in-app purchases

None

Sesshin

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Serene Timer free?
Serene Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sesshin free?
Sesshin is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Serene Timer or Sesshin have ads?
Neither Serene Timer nor Sesshin shows ads.

Other comparisons