Comparison

The Artclock vs Punctum

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

Head to head
About

The Artclock

This app reimagines your desk clock with a fluid, visual representation of time. It uses dynamic layering and smooth animations to display the passage of hours and minutes through color and motion, offering a calming and aesthetic alternative to traditional timekeeping.

Highlights
  • Fluid representation of time
  • Dynamic color and motion
  • Adjustable transparency and depth
  • Satisfying hour reset animation
  • Visual hourly progress indicator
  • Minimalist customization (numbers/words)
Features
Read full description

Time isn’t just numbers; it’s a living canvas. Reimagine your desk clock. No ticking, no clutter—just color, motion, and time. The Artclock is a high-concept, kinetic timepiece designed for the modern aesthetic. It moves away from the ticking clock and toward a fluid representation of "the now." Experience a clock that breathes. The Artclock transforms the passage of time into a mesmerizing visual journey of light and color. Inspired by the natural rhythms of the day, The Artclock uses dynamic layering and smooth animations to show you exactly where you stand in the current hour. Watch as the minutes "slice" through a foreground of color, gradually revealing the foundation beneath. As the day turns to night, The Artclock follows the sun, shifting its palette to match the world outside your window. Features You’ll Love: Tailored Transparency: Use the custom glassmorphic slider to adjust the depth and intensity of the clock's layers. Fluid Transitions: Watch the hour reset with a satisfying sweep animation that resets the canvas. Visual Hourly Progress: See the hour pass through a growing circular reveal. Always On: Perfect for use as a dedicated desk clock or nightstand display. Minimalist Customization: Switch between numbers and words, and adjust transparency to match your style.

About

Punctum

Features
Read full description

Punctum is a dot-matrix clock for your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Every character is drawn dot by dot, in a typeface made for the grid, with the weight and roundness of the dots in your hands. A CLOCK THAT STAYS OUT OF THE WAY Time and date, a timer, your next calendar event, the song that is playing, and the battery. Pick what the display shows and how it moves. Dot size and shape are yours to set, and the display rolls from one value to the next. FULL DISPLAY Dock your iPhone and Punctum fills the whole screen, dimmed and quiet, as a bedside clock. Nothing but the dots, with a slow drift that protects the screen. WIDGETS AND WATCH Small Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets, an Apple Watch app, and an Apple TV app, all in the same dots. PUNCTUM PRO, ONE PURCHASE Unlock everything once and keep it, shared with your family: - Live weather with 17 dot-drawn icons - Phosphor green and Night red inks, and a night schedule - Up to four timers, five rotating messages, and a live timer on the Lock Screen - Medium and Large widgets, and Apple Watch complications - Alternate app icons No account, no ads, no tracking. Punctum collects no data. Try everything free for 7 days. Then unlock the full app with a single one-time purchase. No subscription.

Screenshots

The Artclock2 screens
Punctum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: The Artclock at none against Punctum's 1. The Artclock also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Punctum's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months). On price, ads and device support 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. Punctum sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. The Artclock asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Artclock ships an update every 4 months, Punctum every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
The Artclock versus Punctum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe ArtclockPunctum
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRien HealdJiajia Zhang

In-app purchases

None

The Artclock

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Punctum

One-time1
  • Punctum Pro Lifetime$3.99

Questions

Is The Artclock free?
The Artclock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Punctum free?
Punctum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do The Artclock or Punctum have ads?
Neither The Artclock nor Punctum shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Artclock or Punctum?
The Artclock ships an update every 4 months, and Punctum every 4 days. Most recently, The Artclock was updated on October 31, 2026 and Punctum on October 29, 2026.

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