Comparison

A Word Clock vs Custom Word Clock

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

Head to head
About

A Word Clock

This utility displays the current time using natural language phrases instead of digits. It offers spoken output, multiple language options, and customizable themes. A widget is also available for quick glances, maintaining your chosen settings.

Highlights
  • Time displayed in words
  • Optional spoken output
  • Multiple language support
  • Customizable color themes
  • Widget support
  • "Lazy time" phrasing
Features
Read full description

Read the time as words, at a glance. Swipe between a large word clock, digital and analog clocks, date and optional location details, a comparison of relaxed and exact time, and a past–present–future timeline. Choose from expressive themes and high-contrast color palettes. Adjust text size, switch between approximate and exact wording, and tap the clock to hear the time spoken aloud. Time phrases are available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese. Add the Home Screen widget to see the time in words without opening the app. Your language and appearance settings carry over to the widget. Location is optional and used only for the details view.

About

Custom Word Clock

This app offers a unique way to tell time using words instead of numbers. Customize phrases, colors, and fonts to create a personalized word-based clock widget for your device's home or lock screen.

Highlights
  • Displays time in words
  • Customizable phrases
  • Widget for home/lock screen
  • Adjustable text size
  • Background color options
  • Custom prefix and suffix
Features
Read full description

Break away from ordinary clock faces and numerical displays. TextTime revolutionizes time-telling by presenting time in words, not numbers. Experience the fun and engaging benefits of a word-based clock widget. With TextTime, telling time becomes an enjoyable and interactive part of your day. Watch as your clock transforms into a unique expression of words, bringing a fresh and personalized touch to your device. Enjoy the elegance of a minimalist design that communicates time in a human-friendly format, making every glance at your clock a delightful experience. Tell time your way. Customize the formatting of the time as you desire, and the app will remember your choices. Personalize your clock with settings for Zero Phrase, Morning Phrase, and Afternoon Phrase, allowing you to infuse each moment with your unique flair. Effortlessly add prefixes and suffixes to further tailor your time displays to perfection. With TextTime, time isn't just measured—it's expressed in your own words. Download TextTime now and embrace a new era of timekeeping, where words take center stage and transform how you perceive time! Free Features: - Switch between 12/24-hour time - Adjust text size - Add as a widget to your Home or Lock Screen Premium Features: - Change background color - Set custom prefix and suffix - Customize morning, afternoon, and night phrases - Change text color, font, boldness, justification, and casing Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

A Word Clock4 screens
Custom Word Clock4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Custom Word Clock at 100% against A Word Clock's 50%. Custom Word Clock also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months). A Word Clock's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Custom Word Clock is free to download; A Word Clock costs $0.99 up front. Custom Word Clock sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. A Word Clock asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

A Word Clock ships an update every 6 months, Custom Word Clock every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
A Word Clock versus Custom Word Clock: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterA Word ClockCustom Word Clock
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRaymund VorwerkDaniel Gauthier

Customer experience

A Word Clock

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

Custom Word Clock

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

A Word Clock

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Custom Word Clock

One-time1
  • Super Customization$2.99

Questions

Is A Word Clock free?
A Word Clock costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Custom Word Clock free?
Custom Word Clock is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do A Word Clock or Custom Word Clock have ads?
Custom Word Clock shows ads; A Word Clock does not.
Which is updated more often, A Word Clock or Custom Word Clock?
A Word Clock ships an update every 6 months, and Custom Word Clock every 2 weeks. Most recently, A Word Clock was updated on October 15, 2026 and Custom Word Clock on October 8, 2026.

Other comparisons