Comparison

Chess Clock by Chess.com vs Chess Timer

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

Head to head
About

Chess Clock by Chess.com

This free app functions as a digital chess clock, offering customizable time controls for any game. It supports various increment and delay types, multiple stages, and handicapping, making it ideal for casual play and tournaments. Adjust time on the fly and enjoy clear displays and audio alerts.

Highlights
  • Customizable time controls
  • Fischer and Bronstein increments
  • Multiple-stage time controls
  • Handicapping support
  • On-the-fly time adjustments
  • Pause and interruption support
  • Audio alerts
Features
Read full description

Replace your chess clock with this free game timer! It's easy to use, yet fully featured to handle any time control. 100% free: no in-app purchases, no ads! Choose your time control and you're ready to play. The 2nd player presses her button to start the 1st player's clock - and the game is on! FEATURES - Large, easy-to-read buttons - Works in landscape and portrait on all devices - Quickly customize the app for one-tap access to all your favorite time controls - Time controls include base minutes per player and optional per-move delays or bonus time. The app supports both Fischer and Bronstein increments, as well as simple delays. The duration is up to you! - Supports multiple-stage time controls commonly seen in tournaments, such as "40 moves in 2 hours + game in 60 minutes." A glance at the clock shows your current stage! - Support for handicapping lets you set different time controls for each player! - You can adjust the time remaining on the fly, in the middle of your game, for either or both players! - Clock pauses automatically if the app is interrupted; manually pause the clock at any time - Pleasant sounds for buttons and "time's up" alert At Chess.com, we really do love chess, and *sometimes* we even play it offline! For times like that, we created this clock - and we hope you love it as much as we do.

About

Chess Timer

A straightforward dual timer designed for over-the-board chess and other two-player competitive games. It allows for customizable time increments, delays, and overtime limits, functioning as a simple chess clock or for games like Scrabble and Go.

Highlights
  • Dual timer for two-player games
  • Fischer, Bronstein, and simple delay increments
  • Overtime limits with penalties
  • Supports games like Scrabble and Go
  • Intuitive tap-to-switch interface
Features
Read full description

Chess Timer is a simple dual timer for over-the-board chess and other two player games. Place you phone flat on the table beside the chess board. Only one clock runs at a time. Tapping the clock face stops one clock and starts the other players clock. Can be used with other competitive two-player board game such as Scrabble, shogi or go. Pro Features: Extra time can be added every turn in one of three ways: Fischer, Bronstein, or a simple delay. Fischer: Time is added to the clock at the end of each turn. Bronstein: Time is added to the clock at the end of each turn, but never more than the turn time. E.g. if the increment is 10 seconds, but the player only takes only 6 seconds on their turn, then 6 seconds is added to the clock. Simple delay: A simple delay before the clock starts each turn. Overtime: An overtime limit can be allowed for each player and penalty points are given for the amount of overtime used. This can be used, for example, as a Scrabble clock.

Screenshots

Chess Clock by Chess.com4 screens
Chess Timer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Chess Clock by Chess.com at 91% against Chess Timer's 43%. Chess Clock by Chess.com also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Chess Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Chess Clock by Chess.com asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Chess Clock by Chess.com holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chess Clock by Chess.com has 338 ratings behind it against 55, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Chess Clock by Chess.com's written reviews are positive against 43% of Chess Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Chess Clock by Chess.com ships an update every 3 months, Chess Timer every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Chess Clock by Chess.com versus Chess Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChess Clock by Chess.comChess Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (338 ratings) — better4.3 (55 ratings)
Positive reviews90.6% of reviews — better42.9% of reviews
Number of ratings338 — better55
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#142 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChess.comDAVID CROOKS SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT LIMITED

Customer experience

Chess Clock by Chess.com

All ratings338 ratings
Positive90.2%
Neutral3.0%
Negative6.8%
Written reviews212 reviews
Positive90.6%
Neutral5.7%
Negative3.8%

Chess Timer

All ratings55 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral7.3%
Negative10.9%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral42.9%
Negative14.3%

Bugs and requests

Chess Clock by Chess.com

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Time not always reduced when pressing the clock quickly
  • Custom time settings not always saved properly

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add warning/countdown alerts for time running out
  • Allow setting different times for each player
  • Provide more theme/color options
  • Add vibration feedback when pressing the clock

Chess Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Chess Clock by Chess.com

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Chess Timer

One-time1
  • Chess Timer Pro$2.99

Questions

Is Chess Clock by Chess.com free?
Chess Clock by Chess.com is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Chess Timer free?
Chess Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Chess Clock by Chess.com or Chess Timer?
Chess Clock by Chess.com is rated higher. Chess Clock by Chess.com averages 4.6 out of 5 from 338 ratings, while Chess Timer averages 4.3 from 55 ratings.
Do Chess Clock by Chess.com or Chess Timer have ads?
Neither Chess Clock by Chess.com nor Chess Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Chess Clock by Chess.com or Chess Timer?
Chess Clock by Chess.com ships an update every 3 months, and Chess Timer every 11 months. Most recently, Chess Clock by Chess.com was updated on September 26, 2026 and Chess Timer on September 11, 2026.

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