Do you need an alternative?
Mouse Timer is free, ad-free and simple, which makes it a great default for young children. But you might want something else if you use Windows, want lots of customisation, need multiple timers at once or prefer no screen at all. Here's how the common options compare. Details of other products come from their public listings; anything we couldn't confirm is marked “check listing”, and prices can change.
Comparison table
| Timer | Style | Price | Platforms | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mouse Timer app | Mouse eating an apple | Free, no ads | Android, iOS, iPadOS, Mac (M1+) | Simplest for young kids |
| MouseTimer.org online tool | Apple + mouse, numbers, bar | Free | Any browser | No install, big screen |
| Time Timer app | Shrinking red disc | Check listing | iOS, Android | Well-known classroom style |
| Built-in phone timer | Numbers / ring | Included | Android, iOS | Always available |
| Sand timer | Falling sand | Varies | Physical object | No screen at all |
Time Timer
Time Timer is one of the best-known visual timer brands, famous for a red disc that shrinks as time passes. It began as a physical clock and is also available as apps. The style is clean and familiar in many schools. Compared with Mouse Timer it's less playful — great for older pupils and adults, perhaps less engaging for very young children. Check the official store listing for current pricing and features.
Your phone's built-in timer
Every smartphone includes a timer in its clock app, with numbers and, on many devices, a ring that empties. It's reliable and free, and it can ring even when the phone is locked. The downside is that the display is numeric and small, so it's less helpful for children who can't read times yet.
Sand timers and physical clocks
A sand timer needs no screen, battery or app, which some families and classrooms prefer. Fixed lengths (often 1, 3, 5 or 10 minutes) limit flexibility, and they can't alert you when time is up. Physical visual clocks with a coloured disc offer a middle ground.
Our free online tool
The online Mouse Timer on our homepage is designed for situations the app doesn't cover: Windows PCs, Chromebooks without Google Play and classroom projectors. It has quick buttons from 1 to 60 minutes, any custom time, a progress bar, an optional chime, a big-screen mode and keyboard control. It's independent of LITALICO and isn't the official app.
How to choose
- Young child, phone or tablet: Mouse Timer app.
- Windows PC or classroom board: our online timer.
- Older pupils or adults who like a minimal look: a disc-style timer such as Time Timer.
- Need an alert while the phone is locked: the app or your built-in clock timer.
- Screen-free: a sand timer.
Feature checklist
- Visual display that children can read without numbers.
- Quick presets for common times.
- Pause and resume for real-life interruptions.
- Alert — a sound or notification at the end.
- Screen stays on while the timer runs.
- No ads, especially on children's devices.
- Privacy — ideally no accounts or data collection.
Mouse Timer ticks most of these boxes. Its main gaps are customisation and Windows support, which the online tool covers.
Need several timers at once?
Mouse Timer runs one countdown at a time. For station rotations or several groups working to different deadlines, you can open the online tool in two or three browser tabs or windows — each runs independently and shows its time in the tab title. Phone clock apps on recent Android and iOS versions can also run multiple timers.
Free vs paid timers
Free timers, including Mouse Timer and our online tool, cover the needs of most families and classrooms. Paid apps and physical visual clocks can add features such as custom colours, multiple saved presets or a screen-free design. If you're unsure, start with a free option and upgrade only if you find a specific feature missing.
A safety reminder
Whichever app you choose, install it from the official store and check the developer's name. For Mouse Timer that's LITALICO Inc. on Google Play and the App Store. Avoid unofficial APK or “MOD” downloads.
