Comparison

Side Search vs Scribe Timer

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

Head to head
About

Side Search

Launch your preferred AI assistant or search engine using the Side Button or Action Button. Customize assistants with custom URLs or integrate with Apple Foundation Models, Claude API, or Google Gemini API.

Highlights
  • Launch AI assistants via Side/Action Button
  • Custom URL-based assistants
  • Apple Foundation Models integration
  • Claude API support
  • Google Gemini API support
  • Side Bridge for custom endpoints
Features
Read full description

Quickly launch your preferred AI assistant or search engine as a voice assistant from the Side Button or Action Button. ### Launch from Side Button ### On iPhone in Japan, you can assign Side Search to the Side Button. You can start your favorite assistant by pressing and holding the Side Button. ### Assistants ### --- URL Based Assistant You can turn various AI assistants and search engines into assistants by setting a custom URL. --- Apple Foundation Models You can converse with privacy-focused models on devices that support Apple Intelligence. --- Claude API You can ask Claude to perform web searches or ask questions using your own API key. --- Google Gemini API You can converse with Gemini and ask it to perform web searches using your own API Key. --- Side Bridge For advanced users, you can use any assistant by creating an endpoint called Side Bridge.

About

Scribe Timer

Features
Read full description

Scribe Timer is a timer app that supports handwritten input. Features: ・You can set the timer using handwritten input. ・You can start recently used timers from the β€œHistory” section. Scribe Timer Pro features: ・You can change the theme color. ・You can customize the timer design. ・You can display the timer in widgets.

Screenshots

Side Search3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Side Search at none against Scribe Timer's 1. Scribe Timer's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 6 days). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Scribe Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Side Search asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Side Search ships an update every 6 days, Scribe Timer daily. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 6 level
Side Search versus Scribe Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSide SearchScribe Timer
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews0.0% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 6 daysDaily β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
MonetizationFreeβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS27.026.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size36 MB6 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperCizzuk ShihuTento Ishino

In-app purchases

None

Side Search

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Scribe Timer

One-time1
  • Scribe Timer Pro$6.99

Questions

Is Side Search free?
Side Search is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Scribe Timer free?
Scribe Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Side Search or Scribe Timer have ads?
Neither Side Search nor Scribe Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Side Search or Scribe Timer?
Side Search ships an update every 6 days, and Scribe Timer daily. Most recently, Side Search was updated on October 3, 2026 and Scribe Timer on October 5, 2026.

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