Comparison

Float vs ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer

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

Head to head
About

Float

Features
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Float is a simple meditation timer designed to help you slow down and be present. There are no streaks, no social features, and no distractions. Just a calm interface, a timer, and space to breathe. Features - Minimal meditation timer - Clean, distraction-free design - Gentle experience focused on calm and focus - No accounts, no ads, no noise Float is for anyone who wants a quiet moment, without turning meditation into another thing to manage. Set a timer. Breathe. Float.

About

ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer

Features
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Just sit. Traditional bells, walking meditation (kinhin), local records, and optional ZenMind Pro. ZenMind is a dedicated zazen timer, not another generic mindfulness app. Unlike general meditation timers, ZenMind recreates the traditional flow of Japanese zen practice: entering stillness, kinhin, returning to sitting, and release. The bell sequence follows conventions used in zen practice. β–  Traditional bell sequence Three strikes begin zazen. Kinhin and the return to sitting have their own signals. The final bell releases the session. ZenMind is built for the shape of zazen, not only a start-and-stop timer. Bell cues and ambient sound continue even when the screen is locked. β–  Zazen and kinhin Sit in zazen alone, or combine zazen with kinhin, the walking meditation practiced between periods of sitting. β–  Begin before you sit A quiet pre-session sequence helps settle body, breath, and mind. No loud countdown. No rush into practice. β–  Seven-step posture guide Learn the basics of posture, breathing, gaze, and hand position through a concise seven-step guide. The guide includes full lotus, half lotus, seiza, and chair sitting. β–  Nothing you do not need No streak pressure. No badges. No social feed. No crowded dashboard. The interface is made from ink-black space, white-sand text, and slow fades so the sitting itself stays central. β–  On-device records. Optional ZenMind Pro. Every practice record lives only on your device. No server. No account. ZenMind Pro is optional and removes ads from records and settings. iOS may ask for tracking permission for ads, and ZenMind still works if you deny it. β–  For those who - Want a quiet timer after using Calm, Headspace, or other guided meditation apps - Prefer unguided zazen and silent meditation - Practice in a Soto, Rinzai, or Japanese zen context - Want kinhin and traditional bells in the same timer - Care about privacy and a fully local practice record -- ZenMind's descriptions of zazen draw on traditional practice and do not represent the official view of any specific zen school. If you have a medical condition, please consult your physician before sitting. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

Float4 screens
ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Float at none against ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer's shown. ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Float versus ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFloatZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 3 days
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS26.016.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size8 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAnson MacKeracherKengo Yamamoto

In-app purchases

None

Float

No in-app purchases

None

ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Float free?
Float is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer free?
ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Float or ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer have ads?
ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer shows ads; Float does not.
Which is updated more often, Float or ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer?
Float ships an update every 3 days, and ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer every 3 days. Most recently, Float was updated on September 29, 2026 and ZenMind Zazen Meditation Timer on October 2, 2026.

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