---
schema_type: "SoftwareApplication"
entity_type: "Mobile Application"
app_name: "Second Clock"
developer_entity: "Sindre Sorhus"
bundle_id: "com.sindresorhus.Second-Clock"
app_store_id: "6450279539"
google_play_id: "com.google.android.deskclock"
category: "Utilities"
primary_platform: "ios"
primary_monetization: "Free"
offline_capable: false
market_region: "US"
platforms: "iOS & Android"
app_last_updated: "2026-04-29"
report_date: "2026-05-06"
report_version: "1.2.0"
total_reviews: 765808
overall_rating: 3.72
sentiment: "Mixed"
sentiment_score: 35
confidence: "high"
confidence_score: 0.8
top_praise_theme: "All-in-one utility combining alarm, timer, and stopwatch functions provides significant convenience for daily time management"
top_complaint_theme: "Alarm reliability issues following the latest update cause missed wake-up calls and schedule disruptions"
top_request_theme: "Customizable alarm settings including jarring sound options and snooze removal to ensure wake-up reliability"
review_sample_size: 53
total_review_count: 53
analyzed_review_count: 53
data_age_days: 56
momentum_velocity: "maintenance"
intelligence_version: 3
nemesis: "Clock"
competitor_count: 6
tags: ["utilities", "free", "mixed sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "macos", "users", "track"]
canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/second-clock"
license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0"
content_version: "v2"
last_verified: "2026-05-06T19:12:12.019Z"
---

# Second Clock App Audit

## TL;DR {#tldr}

- **Category**: Utilities · Free
- **Signal**: Rating 3.72 · Sentiment Mixed
- **Recent focus**: Alarm reliability issues following the latest update cause missed wake-up calls and schedule disruptions (top complaint) · All-in-one utility combining alarm, timer, and stopwatch functions provides significant convenience for daily time management (top praise) · Customizable alarm settings including jarring sound options and snooze removal to ensure wake-up reliability (top request)

> **TL;DR:** Second Clock is a utilities app by Sindre Sorhus, rated 3.72/5 by 765.8K users, with Mixed user sentiment (35/100), available on iOS & Android.
>
> **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** — Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence.

<!-- speakable-start -->
> **Key Insight:** Second Clock shows Mixed sentiment (3.72/5 from 765.8K reviews) — users praise all-in-one utility combining alarm, timer, and stopwatch functions provides significant convenience for daily time management but report issues with alarm reliability issues following the latest update cause missed wake-up calls and schedule disruptions.
<!-- speakable-end -->

## Quick Facts

| Fact | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Rating** | 3.72/5 (765.8K reviews) |
| **User Mood** | Mixed |
| **Category** | Utilities |
| **Developer** | Sindre Sorhus |
| **Pricing** | Free |
| **Platforms** | iOS & Android |
| **Confidence** | High (0.8/1.0) |
| **Data Age** | 0d |

## Metadata & Market Performance
- **Publisher:** Sindre Sorhus
- **Category:** Utilities
- **Target Audience:** macOS users who need to track a secondary time zone without cluttering their desktop or using complex calendar applications.
- **Platforms:** iOS & Android
- **Version Audited:** 1.2.0
- **Audit Date:** 2026-05-06
- **Signal Count:** 53 reviews analyzed
- **Confidence:** High (0.8/1.0)
- **App Store ID (iOS):** 6450279539
- **Bundle ID:** com.sindresorhus.Second-Clock
- **Google Play ID:** com.google.android.deskclock
- **Performance Trend:** Declining
- **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-05-06
- **Short Description:** Your simple and beautiful alarm clock for Android

<!-- section:executive-snapshot -->
## Executive Snapshot
**What it is:** Second Clock is a minimalist menu bar utility for macOS that provides secondary time zone tracking and alarm functionality.
**Why users hire it:** Users hire this app to manage international time zones without the overhead of full-featured calendar applications, prioritizing desktop cleanliness.
<!-- /section:executive-snapshot -->

<!-- section:features -->
## App DNA (Features & Intent)
- **[Differentiator] Menu Bar Time Zone Display:** Displays a secondary clock for a specific time zone directly in the macOS menu bar
- **[Differentiator] Custom Prefix Text:** Allows users to insert Unicode characters, flag emojis, or SF Symbols before the time string via settings
  * *User Intent:* Users value self-expression and personalized experiences.
- **[Differentiator] Multiple Instance Support:** Provides separate app builds with unique identifiers to allow running multiple clocks simultaneously
  * *User Intent:* Users seek enhanced value through premium features.
<!-- /section:features -->

<!-- section:market-position -->
## Market Position {#market-position}

Second Clock operates as a niche utility on macOS, competing against native system clocks that offer zero-friction integration. The 3.71 rating on Android signals that the app struggles to maintain parity with the system-level reliability of the Google Clock.
<!-- /section:market-position -->

## Monetization Strategy
- **Model:** Free
- **Tiers:** Completely free with no ads or in-app purchases
- **Analysis:** The developer maintains a free, ad-free model supported by community funding and personal interest.

<!-- section:sentiment -->
## 🟡 User Sentiment (High Confidence: 53 of 53 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment}
- **Overall Rating:** 3.72/5
- **Platform Split:** Android 3.7/5 (765.8K ratings)
- **Overall Sentiment:** Mixed

### Top Praises
- **All-in-one utility combining alarm, timer, and stopwatch functions provides significant convenience for daily time management**

### Top Complaints (Impact Areas)
- **Alarm reliability issues following the latest update cause missed wake-up calls and schedule disruptions**

### Top Requests (What Users Want)
- **Customizable alarm settings including jarring sound options and snooze removal to ensure wake-up reliability**

<!-- /section:sentiment -->
<!-- section:swot -->
## SWOT Analysis {#swot}

**Core Strengths:**
- Minimalist design language sustains high user trust
- Menu bar integration provides low-friction access to time data

**Critical Frictions:**
- Alarm reliability failures post-update (Android)
- 3.71 rating indicates significant friction compared to platform-native tools

**Growth Levers:**
- Wearable integration for watch face complications
- Untapped B2B partnerships for international team scheduling tools

**Market Threats:**
- OS-level native clock updates
- High-velocity new entrants like Alarm Clock ◎ (11 releases in 6 months)

<!-- /section:swot -->
## Recent Changes (v2 → v3) {#recent-changes}

The app has pivoted from a broad time management tool to a macOS-specific utility, accompanied by a decline in alarm reliability and a shift to maintenance-level development.

**Overall trend**: Declining
**Compared at**: 2026-05-06

### High-impact changes
- **[Shifted] Platform and Utility Pivot** (positioning) — The app moved from a cross-platform time management suite (Wear OS support) to a macOS-specific menu-bar utility for time zone tracking.
- **[Declined] Alarm Reliability Failures** (sentiment) — New user complaints indicate alarms are failing to trigger or silencing automatically, negatively impacting the user experience.
- **[Added] Maintenance-Only Development** (swot) — Development velocity shifted from intense to maintenance-only, with only two releases in the last 15 months.

### Medium-impact changes
- **[Added] Menu Bar Utility Features** (features) — Added specific macOS menu-bar functionality including custom prefix text (Unicode/SF Symbols) and multiple instance support.

<!-- section:rivals -->
## Rivals Landscape {#rivals}

> Competitive positioning identified by AI analysis of app features, category, and market signals.

### Second Clock vs Clock — Head to Head
- **[Clock](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/tools/clock)** by Google LLC: This is the definitive platform-native rival, sharing the exact same core utility set and massive install base on Android.
  - **Moat strength:** High — sustainable advantage over 12 months
  - **Key differences:**
    - Deep OS-level integration allows for system-wide alarm management that third-party apps cannot replicate.
    - Zero-friction installation as a pre-installed system component creates a massive barrier to entry.
    - Native hardware-level optimization ensures minimal battery drain compared to third-party background services.
  - **Where Second Clock wins:**
    - ✅ Focuses on a unified, beautiful design language that feels more cohesive than the utilitarian Google interface.
    - ✅ Provides a more streamlined, distraction-free experience by stripping away the bloat of a system-level utility.
  - **Where Clock wins:**
    - ❌ Leverages deep system hooks for reliable alarm execution that third-party apps struggle to maintain consistently.
    - ❌ Offers seamless integration with Google Assistant and other ecosystem services that drive daily user retention.
  - **Verdict:** The target app must differentiate through superior aesthetic design and niche-specific features, as it cannot compete with the system-level reliability of the Google Clock.

### Contenders (Strong Challengers)
- **[Alarmy - Alarm Clock & Sleep](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/alarmy-alarm-clock-sleep)** by Sleep Tracker & Alarm Clock by Delightroom [Moat: Medium]: Dominates the productivity-focused alarm niche with aggressive, mission-driven wake-up mechanics.
  - Implements gamified wake-up missions like math problems or photo tasks to force user engagement.
  - Monetizes through a robust subscription model for advanced sleep tracking and soundscapes.
- **[Sleep Cycle - Tracker & Sounds](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-lexwarelabs-goodmorning)** by Sleep Cycle AB [Moat: Medium]: Shifts the focus from simple timekeeping to health-centric sleep analysis and optimization.
  - Uses acoustic analysis to track sleep stages, moving beyond simple alarm functionality into health tech.
  - Provides long-term sleep trend reporting that creates a data-driven retention loop for users.

### Peers (What They Do Better)
- **[Clock](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/clock-1)** by Apple: The iOS ecosystem standard for timekeeping, representing the primary benchmark for the target app's iOS version.
  - Provides native Bedtime and Sleep Schedule features that are deeply integrated into the iOS Health app.
  - Offers a consistent, predictable UX that sets the baseline expectation for all iOS clock utilities.
- **[Clock Widget](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/clock-widget)** by Francis Bonnin: Focuses on the home-screen customization aspect of timekeeping rather than the full-suite utility approach.
  - Prioritizes visual customization and home-screen aesthetics over the functional depth of a full alarm suite.
  - Targets users looking for personalization rather than the comprehensive toolset offered by the target app.

### New Kids on the Block (What's Innovative)
- **[Alarm Clock ◎](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/alarm-clock-1)** by RV AppStudios LLC: Demonstrates high velocity with 11 releases in the last six months, indicating rapid feature iteration.

<!-- /section:rivals -->
<!-- section:whats-new -->
## What's New

- **Latest (v1.0.1, 2 years ago):** General bug fixes.
<!-- /section:whats-new -->

<!-- section:momentum -->
## App Momentum (Maintenance) {#momentum}

- Updated to require macOS 26.
- Last major update Mar 2026.

> **Cadence:** 5 total versions · 1 majors in last 6 months · 21 days since last update · 206 days avg between updates

<!-- /section:momentum -->

<!-- section:so-what -->
## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what}

Second Clock is an established utilities app that is completely free.
With a 3.72/5 rating from 765.8K reviews, it shows polarized user reception.

<!-- speakable-start -->
> **Bottom Line:** Second Clock maintains a loyal user base through minimalist design, but alarm reliability failures threaten its core utility, so the PM must prioritize stability fixes to prevent churn to platform-native alternatives.
<!-- speakable-end -->

**Best for:** macOS users who need to track a secondary time zone without cluttering their desktop or using complex calendar applications.

<!-- section:pm-actions -->
### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves)

- [ ] [INVEST] [HIGH IMPACT] Audit alarm trigger logic because reliability failures are the top complaint → stabilize user trust — *Alarm reliability issues are the primary driver of the current mixed sentiment score.* _(trade-off: deprioritize Pause the custom prefix text feature expansion — stability is a higher retention priority.)_
<!-- /section:pm-actions -->

<!-- section:feature-gaps -->
### Feature Gaps vs Competitors

- System-wide alarm management (available in Google Clock but missing here)
- Acoustic sleep analysis (available in Sleep Cycle but missing here)
<!-- /section:feature-gaps -->

<!-- section:outlook -->
### Outlook: Declining

The utility market is consolidating around platform-native tools that offer deeper OS integration. Second Clock remains exposed to these native updates, so its long-term viability depends on maintaining a superior, distraction-free UX that native tools cannot replicate.

- 🔴 Alarm reliability failures in the latest release erode the daily active habit, which compounds the rating drag already visible on Android.
- ⚪ Recent updates focused on macOS 26 compatibility, indicating a shift toward platform-specific maintenance rather than core feature expansion.
<!-- /section:outlook -->

<!-- /section:so-what -->

<!-- section:metrics -->
## Key Metrics Summary

| Metric | Value |
| :--- | :--- |
| Overall Rating | 3.72/5 |
| Total Reviews | 765.8K |
| Sentiment | Mixed (35/100) |
| Confidence | High |
| Pricing Model | Free |
| Platforms | iOS & Android |
| Key Features | 3 analyzed |
| Trend | Declining |
| Outlook | Declining |
<!-- /section:metrics -->

## Competitor Comparison

| App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Second Clock** (this app) | 3.72/5 | Mixed | Sindre Sorhus |
| [Clock](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/tools/clock) | 3.7/5 | Frustrated | Google LLC |
| [Alarmy - Alarm Clock & Sleep](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/alarmy-alarm-clock-sleep) | 4.6/5 | Excited | Sleep Tracker & Alarm Clock by Delightroom |
| [Clock Widget](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/clock-widget) | 4.3/5 | N/A | Francis Bonnin |
| [Alarm Clock ◎](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/alarm-clock-1) | 4.5/5 | N/A | RV AppStudios LLC |
| [Clock](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/clock-1) | 3.9/5 | N/A | Apple |

## Company Profile
- **Developer:** Sindre Sorhus
- **Website:** [https://sindresorhus.com/second-clock](https://sindresorhus.com/second-clock)
- **Social:** [Instagram](https://instagram.com/sindresorhus) · [X/Twitter](https://twitter.com/sindresorhus)

## Data Sources & Links
- **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/second-clock/id6450279539?mt=12&uo=4)
- **Google Play:** [View on Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.deskclock&hl=en&gl=us)
- **Dev Site:** [Official Website](https://sindresorhus.com/second-clock)
- **Sources:** Developer website content, About us / company information, App store metadata, User reviews.

## Related Intel Reports
- [*Clock*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/tools/clock) (Google LLC) — 3.7/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment
- [*Alarmy - Alarm Clock & Sleep*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/productivity/alarmy-alarm-clock-sleep) (Sleep Tracker & Alarm Clock by Delightroom) — 4.6/5 Rating | Positive Sentiment
- [*Clock Widget*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/clock-widget) (Francis Bonnin) — 4.3/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment
- [*Alarm Clock ◎*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/alarm-clock-1) (RV AppStudios LLC) — 4.5/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment
- [*Clock*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/clock-1) (Apple) — 3.9/5 Rating | N/A Sentiment
- [*Sleep Cycle - Tracker & Sounds*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/health-fitness/com-lexwarelabs-goodmorning) (Sleep Cycle AB) — 4.7/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment
- [*V2Box - V2ray Client*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/v2box-v2ray-client) (techlaim) — 4.5/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment
- [*Quantumult X*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/quantumult-x) (Cross Utility Ltd) — 3.9/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment
- [*Potatso*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/potatso) (Potatso Lab LTD) — 4.4/5 Rating | Negative Sentiment
- [*Free VPN by Free VPN .org™*](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/free-vpn-by-free-vpn-org) (Free VPN LLC) — 4.3/5 Rating | Mixed Sentiment

## Methodology {#methodology}

This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline:

1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** — Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps.
2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** — Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks.
3. **User Sentiment Analysis** — Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction and evidence quoting.
4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** — Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category.
5. **Intelligence Synthesis** — Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights.

- **Confidence Score:** 0.8/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality)
- **Reviews Analyzed:** 53
- **Data Sources:** user reviews, developer website, company about page, App Store metadata
- **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform
- **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence.
- **Report Age:** 0 days since last refresh

---
© 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/intel-report/utilities/second-clock)
Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.