Comparison

Alarm QR vs Stepwise Timer

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

Head to head
About

Alarm QR

This app uses QR code scanning to ensure users get out of bed and stay awake. It's designed for deep sleepers, students, and anyone looking to improve their morning routine by preventing snoozing.

Highlights
  • QR code scanning to disable alarm
  • Prevents snoozing
  • Modern wake-up experience
  • Helps fix sleep routines
  • Premium features available
Features
Read full description

Tired of sleeping through alarms? Alarm QR is a powerful, modern wake-up app that uses QR code scanning to ensure you actually get out of bed. No more snoozing. No more “I didn’t hear it.” AlarmQR gets you moving—every single morning. Whether you’re a deep sleeper, a student with early classes, or someone trying to fix their sleep routine, AlarmQR helps you stay consistent, motivated, and in control of your mornings. Some features require AlarmQR Premium. Terms of Use: https://alarmqr.notion.site/terms-of-use-for-alarmqr?source=copy_link:

About

Stepwise Timer

Features
Read full description

Chain a few timed steps into a "sequence", press play, and Stepwise walks you through it — one step at a time. Each step counts down on its own. When it ends, the next one starts automatically with a sound and a spoken announcement of what's coming up. You never have to look at your phone mid-routine. ■ Made for · Morning routines: stretch, meditate, write down today's three things · Focus work: Pomodoro, with automatic repeat rounds · Workouts and stretching: one set after another, no stopwatch fiddling · Cooking and pour-over coffee: bloom, pour, brew · Winding down: breathe, stretch, lights out ■ What it does · Sequence timing: set a duration per step; auto-advance or wait for your confirmation · Spoken announcements: hear the next step's name, eyes closed · Adjust while running: skip, go back, restart a step, or add +1 minute · Repeat rounds: run the whole sequence a few more times automatically · Finish signal: end the last step with a chime or your own spoken message · Live Activity: see the countdown on the Lock Screen, pause or continue right there · Home Screen widget: start a specific sequence with one tap · Usage stats: a diary of every run, with a 7-day rhythm chart, a calendar and streaks · Folders: keep your sequences organized · Share: import via QR code, or export CSV as a backup · Design with AI: paste the prompt from our support page into your favorite AI, then import the CSV it creates · Fully offline: no account, no ads, no data collection ■ Free vs Premium The free version includes every feature above, with up to 5 sequences and the last 30 days of stats. Premium unlocks unlimited sequences and your full stats history (records are always kept — upgrading brings them all back). ■ Premium subscription · Monthly or yearly plan (price shown on the purchase screen) · First month free for new subscribers; billing starts automatically when the trial ends · Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends · Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase · Manage or cancel anytime in Settings → Apple Account → Subscriptions · Terms of Use (EULA): https://jacobhung.com/stepwisetimer/privacy/ · Privacy Policy: https://jacobhung.com/stepwisetimer/privacy/

Screenshots

Alarm QR4 screens
Stepwise Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Stepwise Timer at 18.0 against Alarm QR's 26.1. On price, update cadence, 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. Alarm QR sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Stepwise Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Alarm QR ships an update every 3 weeks, Stepwise Timer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Alarm QR versus Stepwise Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAlarm QRStepwise Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS26.118.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB4 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMatthew VellaWei Chen Hung

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Alarm QR

Subscriptions2
  • Alarm QR Premium Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Alarm QR Premium Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time1
  • Streak Restore$1.99
2 purchases

Stepwise Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Stepwise Timer Premium1 Month trial$0.991 Month
  • Stepwise Timer Premium Yearly1 Month trial$6.991 Year

Questions

Is Alarm QR free?
Alarm QR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stepwise Timer free?
Stepwise Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Alarm QR or Stepwise Timer have ads?
Neither Alarm QR nor Stepwise Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Alarm QR or Stepwise Timer?
Alarm QR ships an update every 3 weeks, and Stepwise Timer every 6 weeks. Most recently, Alarm QR was updated on November 5, 2026 and Stepwise Timer on November 6, 2026.

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