Timefully - Meditation Timer

I rarely write reviews but when I do it is usually to do with how bad or how great something is in my experience. In this case, I say the app is pretty great. I have been using this app for ~1.5 years, much more within the last 3 months. Although my practice doesn’t necessarily hinge on needing this app, I definitely make great use of some of the features. With the most recent update, there was an issue with the widget not updating properly. I simply emailed the developers to make them aware and had a decently prompt reply. They were aware of the issue, explained why it was happening, and said an update is to expected within the coming days. As I write this review, I haven’t seen the update yet, but I feel pretty assured that it is coming and remain contently patient. It isn’t like the widget not updating will prevent my practice or even interfere, so no big deal. Good customer service can really go a long way but so can being a good customer and treating the developers as teammates. Everyone wins.

If you do shikantaza, breath awareness, or any other type of “just sit” meditation, this is hands-down the best app available. It allows you to set customizable timers with bells, and to set notifications by day of the week. You can start a session — silently if you like — from your watch. If you do, it tracks your heart rate and exports it to the health app. Then it logs the length of your sit and tracks your habits across time. That’s pretty much it! No guided meditations or lectures to buy, just an app to track your mediations efficiently and without distraction. Where Headspace and Calm charge $13 per month, this app is $14 for lifetime full access. The only thing I would improve is the heart rate tracking. Some others can write Heart Rate Variability (HRV) data to the Health app, and that’s nice data to have to see meditation’s effect on your stress levels.

I always felt distracted peeking at the clock during meditation to check the time. This app solves that problem by playing a gentle sound after your 30 second warm up, after your meditation and finally after your cool down. There are profiles for other forms of meditation as well. The app is very thoughtfully designed and honestly is just so much better and more than I expected. The time tracking features are great, the selection of sounds to choose for the timer are great, the ability to fade in the sound is so appreciated. I love the milestones and the ability to set reminder notifications. I'm so impressed with this app! Big thanks to the developer. My wife and I happily paid for lifetime subscriptions even though we don't have Apple watches (yet). One feature request: I would love to be able to import my own mp3 for the timer sound.