Comparison

ChessClock+ vs Sand Timer

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

Head to head
About

ChessClock+

Enhance your chess games with customizable time controls. Set unique settings for each player, including multiple time phases, various delay types, and hourglass mode. Personalize alerts, colors, and clock orientation for an optimal experience.

Highlights
  • Customizable time controls per player
  • Multiple time phases (e.g., per move)
  • Fischer, Bronstein, and simple delay options
  • Hourglass mode for time transfer
  • Pre-set and custom clock configurations
  • Configurable low-time alerts
  • Customizable colors and orientation
Features
Read full description

ChessClock+ makes it easy and fun to add time controls to a game of chess! The app includes a robust feature set: • The ability to set different clock settings for each player. • Time controls with multiple phases, i.e. add more time after a given number of moves. • Fischer, Bronstein, and simple delay. • Hourglass mode, where expended time is added to your opponent’s clock. • Several clock presets with the ability to add your own. • Customizable alerts when time is running low. • Customizable colors. • Configurable clock orientation for each player. • A clean and simple user interface.

About

Sand Timer

This app provides a visually engaging and intuitive way to track time with realistic sand flow animations. It's perfect for various activities like studying, workouts, or cooking, offering customizable themes and sound alerts to keep you on track.

Highlights
  • Realistic sand flow animation
  • Adjustable timer settings
  • Multiple timers management
  • Customizable themes
  • Sound alerts
Features
Read full description

Looking for a simple, reliable timer for your activities? Whether you’re timing a study session, a workout, or simply need a quick way to track time, Sand Timer has you covered! With its realistic sand flow animation, you’ll experience the soothing and intuitive feel of a traditional hourglass, right on your phone. Sand Timer offers a simple, visually engaging way to keep track of time, whether you’re managing your productivity, setting a cooking timer, or just need a quick countdown. It’s easy to set, fun to use, and helps you stay on track for all your timing needs. Top Features You’ll Love: Sand Animation – Watch the sand flow smoothly through the timer, providing a calming and visually pleasing experience while you track your time. Adjustable Timer Settings – Set the timer for any duration you need, from seconds to hours, with the ability to quickly adjust for all types of activities. Multiple Timers – Create and manage multiple timers at once to keep track of various tasks simultaneously. Customizable Themes – Choose from a variety of themes to match your style, whether you prefer a minimalist design or a more vibrant look. Sound Alerts – Get notified when your time is up with a sound alert, making sure you never miss an important moment. Who Can Use Sand Timer? Sand Timer is perfect for anyone who needs a simple, elegant timer. Whether you’re a student needing a Pomodoro timer, a cook timing recipes, or someone just needing a visual countdown, Sand Timer is easy to use and designed to fit your needs. Download Sand Timer today and add a little more calm and focus to your day! EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ChessClock+4 screens
Sand Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ChessClock+ at 97% against Sand Timer's 6%. ChessClock+ also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.8) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. ChessClock+ sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Sand Timer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ChessClock+ holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 101 and 150 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 97% of ChessClock+'s written reviews are positive against 6% of Sand Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ChessClock+ ships an update every 5 days, Sand Timer every 8 months. Both last shipped on September 30, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ChessClock+ versus Sand Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterChessClock+Sand Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (101 ratings) — better3.8 (150 ratings)
Positive reviews97.2% of reviews — better6.5% of reviews
Number of ratings101150 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrad BambaraVicki Partridge

Customer experience

ChessClock+

All ratings101 ratings
Positive98.0%
Neutral1.0%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews143 reviews
Positive97.2%
Neutral2.1%
Negative0.7%

Sand Timer

All ratings150 ratings
Positive64.7%
Neutral8.7%
Negative26.7%
Written reviews62 reviews
Positive6.5%
Neutral4.8%
Negative88.7%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

ChessClock+

One-time3
  • Support ChessClock+$0.99
  • Support ChessClock+$4.99
  • Support ChessClock+$9.99
4 purchases

Sand Timer

Subscriptions3
  • Weekly Subscription7 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Monthly Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Remove Ads$1.99

Questions

Is ChessClock+ free?
ChessClock+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sand Timer free?
Sand Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ChessClock+ or Sand Timer?
ChessClock+ is rated higher. ChessClock+ averages 4.9 out of 5 from 101 ratings, while Sand Timer averages 3.8 from 150 ratings.
Do ChessClock+ or Sand Timer have ads?
Sand Timer shows ads; ChessClock+ does not.
Which is updated more often, ChessClock+ or Sand Timer?
ChessClock+ ships an update every 5 days, and Sand Timer every 8 months. Most recently, ChessClock+ was updated on September 30, 2026 and Sand Timer on September 30, 2026.

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