Comparison

Hourglass vs Glow Timer

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

Head to head
About

Hourglass

Features
Read full description

Turn your phone into a digital hourglass. Set a time. Start it. Flip your phone β€” and time begins again. This app is a simple, tactile timer inspired by real hourglasses. There are no distractions, no clutter, and no complicated controls. Just time passing, the way it should. Use it to: - Focus on a single task - Take mindful breaks - Time study sessions or work sprints - Create gentle routines Limit screen time for yourself or your kids How it works Choose a duration Start the hourglass Flip your phone to reset instantly That’s it. Designed to be calm, intuitive, and satisfying to use. Perfect for anyone who wants a more physical, intentional relationship with time.

About

Glow Timer

Features
Read full description

Time flows beautifully, silently. Glow Timer is a visual focus timer for quiet places: libraries, cafes, classrooms, night desks, and any moment where a loud alarm would break the mood. Instead of sound, the screen uses soft light, waves, and edge glow to help you notice when time is up. It keeps the practical clarity of a countdown, but gives each session a calmer visual rhythm. Key Features - Silent Glow Notifications: the screen pulses with light when time is up - Pomodoro-Style Flow: move from focus to break with a clearer pause between phases - Double-Tap Pause: pause or resume without opening menus - Fluid Light & Waves: layered wave animations follow the remaining time - Intuitive Gestures: swipe horizontally to adjust time, swipe vertically to switch presets - Distraction-Free Design: the interface fades away so your desk stays quiet - Gentle Focus Log: see today's focused time without turning productivity into pressure - Emotional Skins: choose colors for study, work, reading, rest, and late-night focus Premium Features - Unlock all premium visual skins with a one-time purchase - No subscriptions - No ads - No tracking Perfect For - Pomodoro focus sessions - Studying in libraries or quiet rooms - Desk work and deep work blocks - Reading and journaling - Meditation or breathing breaks - A silent visual timer you can keep beside you Glow Timer is not here to shout at you. It is a small luminous space for focus, rest, and returning to your own pace.

Screenshots

Hourglass3 screens
Glow Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Hourglass at none against Glow Timer's 1. Hourglass also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, ads 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. Glow Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Hourglass asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Hourglass versus Glow Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHourglassGlow Timer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyβ€”Every 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPod β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size39 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDotSineKazuma Takahashi

In-app purchases

None

Hourglass

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Glow Timer

One-time1
  • Premium Mode$3.99

Questions

Is Hourglass free?
Hourglass is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Glow Timer free?
Glow Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Hourglass or Glow Timer have ads?
Neither Hourglass nor Glow Timer shows ads.

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