Thyme vs Instant Connect ™
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Thyme
This app offers a simple and intuitive kitchen timer experience with a unique stove-like interface. It allows users to set multiple timers simultaneously for various cooking tasks, ensuring precise timing for delicious meals.
- Multiple timers simultaneously
- Stove-inspired UI
- Easy timer setting
- Hours and minutes support
- Modern design
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IT ONLY DOES ONE THING, BUT DOES IT VERY WELL. Over half a million home-chefs uses Thyme and knows that fine dining needs fine timing. “It gets the job done and makes those complicated meals a little bit easier." - Lifehacker “Thyme is a simple, yet cleverly designed app with an interface that looks like a kitchen stove and has a separate timer for each part..” - BuzzFeed “Thyme offers a unique combination of features that easily sets it apart from the rest.” - Beautiful Pixels Thyme is the simplest and easiest kitchen timer you could envision. It covers all your timer needs in the kitchen. This is so you can give full focus on that delicious food you’ve got cooking. Our kitchen timer gives you a simple and clean layout over your kitchen stove. Four hot plates on top and an oven in the front. To set a timer you simply tap it, swipe it. Boom! You’re done! It´s really that simple! Because fine dining needs fine timing. - The smart and simple UI makes setting new timers super easy. - Multiple timers running at the same time - Our timers support setting hours as well as minutes - Gorgeous and modern UI design that fits right in with iOS - It just works as you’d expect it to Since its launch in Christmas 2013 Thyme has won numerous awards and continues to receive critical acclaim.
Instant Connect ™
Discover over 2,000 recipes tailored for Instant Pot appliances, from simple one-pot meals to complex dishes. Get guided cooking, ingredient lists, and save favorites. Control smart appliances wirelessly for a seamless cooking experience.
- 2,000+ curated recipes
- Appliance-specific suggestions
- Step-by-step guided cooking
- Automatic ingredient lists
- Personal cookbook
- Wireless smart appliance control
- Real-time appliance monitoring
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Introducing the ultimate cooking companion, the Instant Connect ™ app - your gateway to culinary excellence. Elevate your cooking experience with over 2,000 curated recipes designed exclusively for Instant Pot appliances, including the renowned Instant Pot, Instant Air Fryers and Toaster Ovens, Duo Crisps, Slow Cookers, and more. Whether you're embarking on your culinary journey or a seasoned pro, our app empowers you to cook to your full potential. Kickstart your adventure with easy one-pot meals, or explore a multitude of innovative recipes to take your skills to new heights. Discover exciting ways to prepare everyday staples like eggs, rice, and chicken, or indulge in the art of baking with delectable treats such as cheesecake and brownies. The Instant Connect ™ app revolutionizes your cooking routine, making it simpler than ever to find time and inspiration every day. Select your appliance, and we’ll provide recipe suggestions that are perfect to get you started. Key Features: An ever-expanding recipe database, featuring over 2,000 diverse recipes inspired by global cuisines and tailored for Instant Pot appliances. Tailored search function and home feed, ensuring all recipe recommendations align with your specific appliance. Up-to-date home feeds, showcasing recipes based on seasonal ingredients, holiday content, and special occasions. Step-by-step guided cooking for effortlessly creating mouthwatering meals. Automatic ingredient lists at the start of every recipe, putting you in control and fully prepared from the get-go. A personal cookbook, so you can save your favorite recipes for seamless menu planning. For Smart, Connected appliance owners, the Instant Connect™ app allows for complete wireless control including: Smart recipes that effortlessly send settings directly to your appliance with a simple tap, allowing you to explore new recipes with absolute confidence. Real-time appliance monitoring to keep you informed, letting you multitask with the assurance that your cooking companion has it all under control. Clear appliance helper videos for constant guidance and assurance. With the Instant Connect ™ app, crafting delightful meals has never been more straightforward. Rest assured, our app is consistently updated to enhance your cooking experience, ensuring faster, easier, and tastier results every time. Gear up for a culinary revolution and savor the exceptional with the Instant family of appliances. Welcome to a world where cooking is an art, and every meal is a masterpiece.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Instant Connect ™ at 4.6 against Thyme's 3.0. Instant Connect ™ also leads on ratings volume (11K vs 73) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs paid). Thyme's advantage is review sentiment (46% vs 33%) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.4). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Instant Connect ™ holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Instant Connect ™ has 11K ratings behind it against 73, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 46% of Thyme's written reviews are positive against 33% of Instant Connect ™'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Thyme ships an update every 10 days, Instant Connect ™ fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Thyme | Instant Connect ™ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.0 (73 ratings) | 4.6 (11K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 46.2% of reviews — better | 32.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 73 | 11K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Fortnightly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 102 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Thuy Gia Nguyen | Instant Pot Brands |
Customer experience
Thyme
Instant Connect ™
Bugs and requests
Thyme
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Instant Connect ™
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes on launch
- Login issues and account problems
- Recipes not properly syncing with Instant Pot devices
- Landscape mode not working as expected
Requested features
5 requests- Add metric measurement options
- Improve recipe search and filtering
- Allow users to add their own recipes
- Implement recipe review and rating system
- Provide better organization for saved recipes
In-app purchases
Thyme
No in-app purchases
Instant Connect ™
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Thyme free?
Is Instant Connect ™ free?
Which has better reviews, Thyme or Instant Connect ™?
Do Thyme or Instant Connect ™ have ads?
Which is updated more often, Thyme or Instant Connect ™?
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