Comparison

5 Seconds Rule Timer vs 2 Self

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

Head to head
About

5 Seconds Rule Timer

Features
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STOP OVERTHINKING. START DOING. Inspired by Mel Robbins' bestselling 5 Second Rule โ€” the technique used by millions to crush procrastination and take action instantly. When doubt creeps in, open the app and count down: 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... GO! Then move. Before your brain talks you out of it. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAUNCH IN AN INSTANT - "Hey Siri, five four three two one" โ€” voice-activated countdown - Double-tap the back of your phone (Back Tap) - One tap from your Home Screen widget - Assign to your Action Button - Zero friction. Pure momentum. BACKED BY NEUROSCIENCE Counting backward interrupts your brain's habit loops and activates the prefrontal cortex โ€” the area responsible for deliberate action. The countdown creates a window of initiative before anxiety wins. This is the same technique Mel Robbins used to transform her life and that millions now use daily โ€” from getting out of bed to speaking up in meetings to finally starting that workout. TRACK EVERY WIN - Daily countdown count and weekly trends - Build streaks to stay consistent day after day - Track your action rate โ€” how often you follow through - Earn 20+ collectible achievements across 4 categories - Review your full countdown history on a beautiful calendar DESIGNED TO BECOME A HABIT - Immersive 5-4-3-2-1 countdown with haptic feedback - Siri voice command for hands-free activation - Home Screen widget for one-tap access - Back Tap and Action Button integration - iOS Shortcuts for custom automations - Daily streak tracking and personal records - Motivational reminders to keep your momentum - Full accessibility: VoiceOver, Dynamic Type, Reduce Motion PREMIUM โ€” UNLOCK EVERYTHING - Unlimited daily countdowns (free: 1 per day) - Widget, Siri, Back Tap, and Action Button access - Full stats: action rate, personal records, weekly and monthly trends - All 20+ achievements - Complete countdown history - 7-day free trial โ€” cancel anytime - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - You've read the book. You've watched the TED Talk. Now put the 5 Second Rule in your pocket and use it when it matters most. Your next 5 seconds could change everything. 5-4-3-2-1-GO! This app offers auto-renewable subscriptions. Terms of Use (EULA) apply: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

2 Self

Features
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I use this app to send motivational quotes to myself (not just reminders about what others want me to do for them). I send the things that lift me up. Yesterday, I was at the grocery store, and I received, "My world is open :)" Needless to say, it was a nice surprise. 2 Self helps you write your own affirmations, motivational quotes, mantras, and private reminders โ€” then receive them later as scheduled or random notifications. 2 Self is built for the words you choose yourself. WRITE YOUR OWN WORDS Save affirmations, motivational quotes, positive thoughts, self-talk, mindset notes, encouragement, mantras, or reminders to yourself. Your words can be direct, gentle, serious, practical, spiritual, funny, or private. The point is not to find the perfect quote from someone else. The point is to keep the words that actually mean something to you. SET DAILY REMINDERS Choose exact times for daily reminders, weekday reminders, weekend reminders, or reminders on particular days and hours. USE RANDOMIZER Let one of your saved lines return unexpectedly using Gentle, Steady, Frequent, Cowabunga, or your own custom rhythm. USE IT FOR Daily affirmations Motivational quotes Positive reminders Self-love notes Self-esteem notes Confidence reminders Mindset notes Private mantras Personal encouragement Words you want to remember later NO ACCOUNT. NO DATA COLLECTED. Your words stay simple, private, and yours. WHY IT EXISTS The motivational industry runs on borrowed voices. Daily Affirmations Reminder is built on a different premise: the words best suited to reach you may already be yours. Write it once. Trust it later. Terms of Use: https://www.myworkingmemory.ai/2Self-terms.html Privacy Policy: https://www.myworkingmemory.ai/2Self-privacy.html

Screenshots

5 Seconds Rule Timer4 screens
2 Self4 screens

Verdict

The call

5 Seconds Rule Timer and 2 Self are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters โ€” price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them โ€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. 5 Seconds Rule Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and 2 Self sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

5 Seconds Rule Timer ships an update every 2 weeks, 2 Self every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
5 Seconds Rule Timer versus 2 Self: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter5 Seconds Rule Timer2 Self
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks โ€” betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad โ€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.017.0 โ€” better
Further details โ€” not scored
Size11 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMax AppsMyworkingmemory LLC

In-app purchases

2 purchases

5 Seconds Rule Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Pro Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
2 purchases

2 Self

Subscriptions2
  • Motivational Quotes Premium$0.991 Month
  • Motivational Quotes Yearly$9.991 Year

Questions

Is 5 Seconds Rule Timer free?
5 Seconds Rule Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 2 Self free?
2 Self is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do 5 Seconds Rule Timer or 2 Self have ads?
Neither 5 Seconds Rule Timer nor 2 Self shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 5 Seconds Rule Timer or 2 Self?
5 Seconds Rule Timer ships an update every 2 weeks, and 2 Self every 3 weeks. Most recently, 5 Seconds Rule Timer was updated on October 7, 2026 and 2 Self on October 2, 2026.

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