Custom Compass vs Talking Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Custom Compass
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The compass that you can create yourself! - Create any design of compass that you can imagine. - A selection of preset themes, or save your own for a quick change. - A multitude of pointers and stickers that can be resized and positioned to your hearts content. - Limitless possibilities. - Works with either magnetic or true North.
Talking Timer
This utility app provides a visual and auditory timer, ideal for activities where you need to track time without constant visual monitoring. It's perfect for creative sessions, fitness, cooking, or gaming.
- Auditory time announcements
- Visual timer display
- Hands-free operation
- Versatile for various activities
- Completely free
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Talking Timer is a timer app you can both see AND HEAR. It was initially developed for life drawing, so you know how long a pose or session will last while you focus on your work. But it has grown a lot since then. It is also useful anywhere you want to know how much time is left without constantly looking at your device — fitness routines, cooking, presentations, children’s activities, board games, or even colouring your hair! Talking Timer speaks the remaining time aloud, and now supports widgets, Live Activities and the Dynamic Island on supported iPhones, so your running timer can stay visible outside the app. Plus it's completely FREE. No adverts, no subscription, just free. I wrote it because I use it myself - and now you can too! :-) Terms of Use: Apple Standard EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Talking Timer Terms of Use and Disclaimer: https://www.clivebryant.com/page/48111/talking-timer-terms-of-use-and-disclaimer Privacy Policy: https://www.clivebryant.com/page/32545/app-privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Talking Timer at none against Custom Compass's 1. Talking Timer also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 12 months). Custom Compass's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). 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
Both are free to download. Custom Compass sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Talking Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Custom Compass ships an update every 12 months, Talking Timer every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Custom Compass | Talking Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.8 (61 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 61 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 41 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Nicholas Dean | Clive Bryant |
In-app purchases
Custom Compass
- Edit Mode + Remove Adverts$1.99
Talking Timer
No in-app purchases









