Alarm QR vs Stepwise Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- QR code scanning to disable alarm
- Prevents snoozing
- Modern wake-up experience
- Helps fix sleep routines
- Premium features available
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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:
Stepwise Timer
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
| Parameter | Alarm QR | Stepwise Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 26.1 | 18.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Matthew Vella | Wei Chen Hung |
In-app purchases
Alarm QR
- Alarm QR Premium Monthly7 Days trial$4.991 Month
- Alarm QR Premium Yearly$39.991 Year
- Streak Restore$1.99
Stepwise Timer
- Stepwise Timer Premium1 Month trial$0.991 Month
- Stepwise Timer Premium Yearly1 Month trial$6.991 Year
Questions
Is Alarm QR free?
Is Stepwise Timer free?
Do Alarm QR or Stepwise Timer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Alarm QR or Stepwise Timer?
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