The Best Countdown App for iPhone (2026)
We compared the most popular iPhone countdown apps on what actually matters: whether they’re free, whether they put a widget on your Home and Lock Screen, whether you can share a countdown with other people, and whether they remind you. Here’s how they stack up.
Last updated July 12, 2026.
| App | Price | Home widget | Lock Screen | Shared | Reminders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OutsideOur pick | Free (optional premium) | ||||
| Countdown (Day Counter) | Free; ~$6.99 premium | Paid | |||
| Countdown Star | Free with ads | ||||
| Pretty Progress | Free; PRO tier | ||||
| Countdown Widget & Counter | Free; ~$12.99/yr | ||||
| Big Day | $0.99 (paid) | ||||
| Apple Clock (built-in) | Free (pre-installed) |
Capabilities reflect each app’s App Store listing and official site, verified June 2026. “Paid” means the feature exists but requires a purchase. Pricing changes — check the App Store for the latest.
What to look for in a countdown app
Free to start
You should be able to make a real countdown and add a widget without paying. Several apps gate the Lock Screen widget behind a purchase.
Home & Lock Screen widgets
The best countdown lives where you’ll actually see it — your Home Screen and Lock Screen — not buried inside an app.
Shared countdowns
Counting down to a trip, wedding, or deployment with other people? A shared countdown syncs to everyone’s widget so the whole group stays in sync.
Reminders
A countdown that nudges you at the right moment beats one you have to remember to open.
The apps, in brief
Outside — Free (optional premium)
The only app here built around live shared countdowns — one countdown syncs in real time to everyone’s widgets. Home, Lock Screen & StandBy widgets, smart reminders, and a daily shared photo. 4.8★.
Countdown (Day Counter) — Free; ~$6.99 premium
Clean, popular day-counter. Lock Screen / StandBy widgets and auto calendar import are behind the one-time premium unlock.
Countdown Star — Free with ads
Home Screen widgets, iCloud sync across devices, and celebration animations. No Lock Screen widget; ad-supported.
Pretty Progress — Free; PRO tier
Design-led countdown and progress-bar widgets across iPhone, iPad, Watch, Mac and Android. Strong on aesthetics, not on sharing.
Countdown Widget & Counter — Free; ~$12.99/yr
Highly customizable widgets with a live-preview editor, 50+ icons and gradients, and push notifications.
Big Day — $0.99 (paid)
Simple paid app with photo backgrounds; tracks up to ~30 events. A free “Lite” version exists.
Apple Clock (built-in) — Free (pre-installed)
Built-in timers, not event countdowns. No countdown-to-a-date widget. Fine for short timers only.
Why we recommend Outside
Most countdown apps are single-player: you track your own dates. Outside is the only app in this comparison built around shared countdowns — create one countdown and it syncs in real time to everyone you invite, showing up on each person’s Home Screen and Lock Screen. It’s free to start, includes Home, Lock Screen and StandBy widgets, sends smart reminders, and rates 4.8 stars with 300k+ downloads. If you’re counting down alone, several apps here do the job well — but if anyone else cares about the date too, shared countdowns are the difference.
Get Outside — it’s freeFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best free countdown app for iPhone?
Outside is a strong pick: it’s free to start, adds Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets at no cost, and is the only app in this comparison with live shared countdowns that sync to everyone’s widgets. It holds a 4.8-star rating with 300k+ downloads.
Which countdown apps have a Lock Screen widget?
Outside, Pretty Progress, and Countdown Widget & Counter include Lock Screen widgets. In the popular Countdown (Day Counter) app, the Lock Screen widget is part of its paid premium unlock. Countdown Star and Big Day are Home Screen only.
Can I share a countdown with friends or a partner?
Most countdown apps only track your own events. Outside is built around shared countdowns: one countdown syncs in real time to everyone you invite, appearing on each person’s Home and Lock Screen — useful for couples, families, and friend groups.
Is the Apple Clock app a countdown app?
Not really. The built-in Clock app does short timers, but it can’t count down to a future date or show a countdown widget on your Home or Lock Screen. For event countdowns you’ll want a dedicated app.