Comparison

PivotClock vs Retrotick

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

Head to head
About

PivotClock

Read full description

PivotClock is a clock app that lets you freely rotate the display to any angle - and lock it there. Unlike your phone's auto-rotation, PivotClock works independently. Set it to 0, 90, 180, 270 degrees, or any custom angle. Once locked, the clock stays exactly where you need it. FEATURES - Free Rotation Rotate the clock to any angle using the intuitive dial editor. Drag to rotate, release to snap - just like editing a photo. - Quick Presets One tap to snap to 0 / 90 / 180 / 270 degrees. Perfect for landscape bedside or upside-down mounting. - Digital and Analog Switch between a clean digital display and a classic analog face. Seconds, date, and 12/24-hour format all configurable. - 4 Themes Minimal, Bold, Retro (green glow), and Soft - each with 5 accent color options. - OLED-Optimized Pure black background saves battery on OLED screens. Burn-in protection slowly drifts the display so no pixel stays static. - Ultra Dim Mode Swipe up/down to darken the screen beyond the system minimum - ideal for bedrooms at night. - HUD Mirror Mode Horizontal flip for windshield projection or reverse-mounted displays. - Screen Always On The screen stays on as long as PivotClock is open. PERFECT FOR - Bedside clock - lay your phone flat or prop it at any angle - Desk clock - portrait, landscape, or anything between - Car mount - rotate to match your dashboard angle - Overhead mount - 180 degree flip when phone is upside down - HUD mode - mirror the display onto your windshield

About

Retrotick

This app transforms your iPhone or iPad into a visually appealing split-flap clock, mimicking the mechanical flip of classic station displays. Enjoy authentic animations, customizable themes, and widgets for your Home and Lock Screens, all designed with a modern aesthetic.

Highlights
  • Authentic split-flap animation
  • Liquid Glass design
  • Home and Lock Screen widgets
  • Live Activities and Dynamic Island support
  • 12/24 hour format with optional seconds
  • Multiple digit fonts
  • Gallery of premium themes
Features
Read full description

Retrotick turns your iPhone and iPad into a beautiful split-flap clock, the satisfying mechanical flip of a classic station and bedside display, rebuilt for iOS with Apple's Liquid Glass design. Set it on your nightstand, your desk, or your Home and Lock Screens and watch the digits flip on every tick. FEATURES • Authentic split-flap animation that flips on every second • Liquid Glass design with clear, black, and white backdrops • Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets in multiple sizes • Live Activities and Dynamic Island to keep the time glanceable while you use other apps • 12- or 24-hour time, with optional seconds • Multiple digit fonts to match your style • A gallery of themes, from minimal to bold, with a free set to start • A countdown timer with a split-flap duration picker that rings through silent and Focus • Optional flip sound and haptics for the mechanical tick THEMES Unlock premium themes your way. Buy any theme once and keep it forever, or subscribe to Retrotick Plus to unlock every theme while your subscription is active. Preview any theme before you decide, and your purchases stay with your Apple ID. DESIGNED FOR iOS Built in SwiftUI for iOS 26, Retrotick looks right on every device size and adapts to portrait and landscape automatically. No accounts. No ads. No tracking. Just a gorgeous clock. Retrotick Plus is an auto-renewable subscription. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. It renews automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged for renewal within 24 hours before the period ends. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use: https://makekamac.github.io/retrotick/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://makekamac.github.io/retrotick/privacy/

Screenshots

Retrotick3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: PivotClock at none against Retrotick's 12. PivotClock also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Retrotick's advantage is device support. On price 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. Retrotick sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. PivotClock asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
PivotClock versus Retrotick: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPivotClockRetrotick
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 weeks
Ads—No
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
Devices—iPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTAKAYOSHI YOSHIKAWAEkam Singh

In-app purchases

None

PivotClock

No in-app purchases

12 purchases

Retrotick

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Annual$14.991 Year
One-time10
  • Midnight$1.99
  • Retro Flip$1.99
  • Forest Pine$1.99
Show 7 more
  • Sunset Ember$1.99
  • Neon Dusk$1.99
  • Aurora$1.99
  • Liquid Glass$1.99
  • Retro LCD$1.99
  • Synthwave$2.99
  • Gold Luxe$2.99

Questions

Is PivotClock free?
PivotClock is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Retrotick free?
Retrotick is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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