# OPTimize vs Surface Time

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | OPTimize | Surface Time |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optimize-f-1-visa-opt-planner/id6741189156/reviews) | [5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-time/id6747015704/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **3** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 days** | Weekly |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 6 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GoElite, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1840511870) | [Neel Makhecha](https://appshunter.io/developer/1353167736) |

## What reviewers say

### OPTimize

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optimize-f-1-visa-opt-planner/id6741189156)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| OPTimize Premium | Free | one-time |


### Surface Time

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-time/id6747015704)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Surface - One Time Purchase | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*