Comparison

Surface Time vs Fill

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

Head to head
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.

About

Fill

Features
Read full description

Fill-Timer isn't just a countdown it makes time something you can actually see. Start a timer and watch the hourglass slowly fill up. Seasonal particles drift across your screen. When time's up, a gentle chime brings you back. Simple. Intentional. Calming. Timer • Intuitive dial interface — spin to set your time in seconds • Animated hourglass — sand grains fall and pile up as time passes • Push notification when timer ends, even when the app is in the background • Multiple alert sounds to choose from Seasonal Themes • Spring: soft cherry blossom petals • Summer: clear raindrops sliding down • Autumn: drifting maple leaves and pumpkin season • Winter: pure white snowflakes Premium Themes Unlock exclusive themes including Candy Cane, Soccer, Carnation, Colour Ball and more. Go ad-free and make Fill-Timer your own personal time space. Life Clock Enter your birthday and see how many seasons you have left. Not to create anxiety — but to remind you to savour them. Available in English, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French and Spanish.

Screenshots

Surface Time4 screens
Fill4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Fill at daily against Surface Time's weekly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Surface Time sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Fill sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Surface Time ships an update weekly, Fill daily. The most recent releases landed on August 22, 2026 and June 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Surface Time versus Fill: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurface TimeFill
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyWeeklyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.616.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNeel MakhechaCheng Hung Lo

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Surface Time

One-time1
  • Surface - One Time Purchase$5.99
3 purchases

Fill

One-time3
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • Premium Scenes$1.99
  • Bundle Package$2.99

Questions

Is Surface Time free?
Surface Time is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Fill free?
Fill is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Surface Time or Fill have ads?
Neither Surface Time nor Fill shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Surface Time or Fill?
Surface Time ships an update weekly, and Fill daily. Most recently, Surface Time was updated on August 22, 2026 and Fill on June 20, 2026.

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