ChimeSet vs Stepwise Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
Stepwise Timer
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
| Parameter | ChimeSet | Stepwise Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 6 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | haha Interactive | Wei Chen Hung |
In-app purchases
ChimeSet
- ChimeSet Unlock$9.99
Stepwise Timer
- Stepwise Timer Premium1 Month trial$0.991 Month
- Stepwise Timer Premium Yearly1 Month trial$6.991 Year









