Comparison

OPTimize 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

OPTimize

This app helps F-1 visa holders plan their Optional Practical Training (OPT) timeline. It supports all OPT types, tracks USCIS updates, and integrates with your calendar. Find jobs and stay informed with relevant news.

Highlights
  • Plan OPT timeline
  • Ad-free USCIS tracker
  • Support all OPT types
  • Job hunting tools
  • Calendar integration
  • F-1/J-1/H1-B news
Features
Read full description

• Plan Entire OPT Timeline • Ad-Free USCIS Tracker • Support ALL OPT Types • Hunt OPT Jobs • Calendar Integration • F-1 / J-1 / H1-B News • Join Communities

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

OPTimize4 screens
Surface Time4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Surface Time at 3 against OPTimize's 1. On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. OPTimize sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Surface Time sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for OPTimize against 5.0 for Surface Time. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OPTimize ships an update every 4 days, Surface Time weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and August 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
OPTimize versus Surface Time: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOPTimizeSurface Time
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGoElite, Inc.Neel Makhecha

Customer experience

OPTimize

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Surface Time

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

OPTimize

One-time1
  • OPTimize PremiumFree
1 purchases

Surface Time

One-time1
  • Surface - One Time Purchase$5.99

Questions

Is OPTimize free?
OPTimize is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Surface Time free?
Surface Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, OPTimize or Surface Time?
OPTimize and Surface Time are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 3 ratings respectively.
Do OPTimize or Surface Time have ads?
Neither OPTimize nor Surface Time shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OPTimize or Surface Time?
OPTimize ships an update every 4 days, and Surface Time weekly. Most recently, OPTimize was updated on September 10, 2026 and Surface Time on August 22, 2026.

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