Comparison

ChimeSet vs Stepwise Timer

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

Head to head
About

ChimeSet

This app offers a versatile alarm clock, hourly chime, and interval timer. It allows for custom alarm sets for routines or quick one-time alerts, with options for system sounds, custom audio, or spoken titles. Stay aware of time for work, workouts, or daily tasks.

Highlights
  • Customizable alarm sets
  • Hourly chimes and reminders
  • Interval and Pomodoro timers
  • System sounds and custom audio
  • Spoken alarm titles and time
  • Cross-device iCloud sync
  • Widgets and menu bar access
Features
Read full description

ChimeSet is a flexible alarm clock, hourly chime, interval timer, and Pomodoro timer for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Create reusable alarm sets for daily routines or schedule a one-time Quick Alarm in seconds. Stay aware of time during focused work, breaks, classes, presentations, workouts, and everyday routines. ChimeSet can play a system sound, your own audio, or an installed voice while keeping the next alert visible in the app and around the system. QUICK ALARMS - Schedule a one-time alarm after a preset number of minutes or at a chosen time. - Customize two duration presets, two time-of-day presets, and the alarm sound. - Add a title to a Quick Alarm and have it spoken after the selected sound. - Start Quick Alarms from the app, Mac menu bar, iPhone or iPad widgets, App Shortcuts, or Command-1 through Command-6 on Mac. - Quick Alarms appear in Up Next and remove themselves after their scheduled time. REUSABLE ALARM SETS - Specific Time: create one or more alarms at exact times. - Every Hour: choose minute marks within a time range for hourly reminders and chimes. - From Now: build a repeating interval timer or a custom sequence of alarms. - Repeat every day, on weekdays, on weekends, or on selected days. - Exclude holidays and other all-day events using a selected calendar. - Start or stop an entire routine with one switch, or use the Space key on Mac. SOUNDS, VOICES, AND TITLES - Choose a system sound, import your own audio, or use an installed voice. - On iPhone and iPad, choose a full-screen Alarm or a lighter Notification. - Add an optional title to each alarm for clear, specific notifications. - Turn on Read Title to hear the alarm title after its sound, or hear the title by itself when sound is off. - ChimeSet remembers your preferred title-reading voice for other alarm sets. - Voice alarms can also announce the current time or elapsed time. UP NEXT EVERYWHERE - Review today's upcoming alarms, including Quick Alarms, in one place. - Show the next alarm time or a live countdown and keep your preferred display mode. - Follow an active alarm with Live Activities on iPhone and iPad. - See the next alarm in widgets or the Mac menu bar and access Quick Alarms directly. SYNC ON YOUR TERMS - Keep alarm sets in iCloud across Mac, iPhone, and iPad, or turn off sync for local-only storage. - Quick Alarms stay on the device where you create them because they are designed for one-time use. ChimeSet is useful as a break reminder, focus timer, Pomodoro timer, hourly chime, repeating alarm, presentation timer, class timer, workout timer, and time-awareness tool. The free version includes every feature and one reusable alarm set. A one-time in-app purchase unlocks unlimited alarm sets.

About

Stepwise Timer

Features
Read full description

Chain a few timed steps into a "sequence", press play, and Stepwise walks you through it — one step at a time. Each step counts down on its own. When it ends, the next one starts automatically with a sound and a spoken announcement of what's coming up. You never have to look at your phone mid-routine. ■ Made for · Morning routines: stretch, meditate, write down today's three things · Focus work: Pomodoro, with automatic repeat rounds · Workouts and stretching: one set after another, no stopwatch fiddling · Cooking and pour-over coffee: bloom, pour, brew · Winding down: breathe, stretch, lights out ■ What it does · Sequence timing: set a duration per step; auto-advance or wait for your confirmation · Spoken announcements: hear the next step's name, eyes closed · Adjust while running: skip, go back, restart a step, or add +1 minute · Repeat rounds: run the whole sequence a few more times automatically · Finish signal: end the last step with a chime or your own spoken message · Live Activity: see the countdown on the Lock Screen, pause or continue right there · Home Screen widget: start a specific sequence with one tap · Usage stats: a diary of every run, with a 7-day rhythm chart, a calendar and streaks · Folders: keep your sequences organized · Share: import via QR code, or export CSV as a backup · Design with AI: paste the prompt from our support page into your favorite AI, then import the CSV it creates · Fully offline: no account, no ads, no data collection ■ Free vs Premium The free version includes every feature above, with up to 5 sequences and the last 30 days of stats. Premium unlocks unlimited sequences and your full stats history (records are always kept — upgrading brings them all back). ■ Premium subscription · Monthly or yearly plan (price shown on the purchase screen) · First month free for new subscribers; billing starts automatically when the trial ends · Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the period ends · Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase · Manage or cancel anytime in Settings → Apple Account → Subscriptions · Terms of Use (EULA): https://jacobhung.com/stepwisetimer/privacy/ · Privacy Policy: https://jacobhung.com/stepwisetimer/privacy/

Screenshots

ChimeSet4 screens
Stepwise Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: ChimeSet at every 10 days against Stepwise Timer's every 6 weeks. ChimeSet also leads on device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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. ChimeSet sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Stepwise Timer 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

ChimeSet ships an update every 10 days, Stepwise Timer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
ChimeSet versus Stepwise Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChimeSetStepwise Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone
Requires iOS18.018.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developerhaha InteractiveWei Chen Hung

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ChimeSet

One-time1
  • ChimeSet Unlock$9.99
2 purchases

Stepwise Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Stepwise Timer Premium1 Month trial$0.991 Month
  • Stepwise Timer Premium Yearly1 Month trial$6.991 Year

Questions

Is ChimeSet free?
ChimeSet is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stepwise Timer free?
Stepwise Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ChimeSet or Stepwise Timer have ads?
Neither ChimeSet nor Stepwise Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ChimeSet or Stepwise Timer?
ChimeSet ships an update every 10 days, and Stepwise Timer every 6 weeks. Most recently, ChimeSet was updated on October 25, 2026 and Stepwise Timer on October 14, 2026.

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