SnapTimer - Free Windows Countdown Timer
SnapTimer screenshot

SnapTimer is a simple, free, portable countdown timer for Windows.

All the timers I tested were too complex for my taste. I decided to write one that was dead simple, so you could run it, type in a time and hit enter. The aim of SnapTimer is to get out of the way and help you be productive. It's fast, lightweight and simple to use, but powerful too.

A popular productivity strategy is to use a timer to do mini-sprints of work. Using SnapTimer I've increased my productivity and reduced procrastination. It's easier to get yourself to work on a difficult task for 5 minutes because there's a known end point.

Screenshots

Features

  • Simple, clean interface
  • Displays time in the taskbar, as a hint in the tray and even in the right-click menu of the tray icon.
  • Tray icons indicate the mode of the timer (running, paused, completed)
  • Multiple alert types - message box, tray icon popup, audio file and any application
  • Stopwatch mode when you set minutes to 0
  • Play an optional ticking sound while the timer is running
  • Countdown can be paused and restarted, or reset
  • Portable (runs from your USB flash drive)
  • Can stay on top of other windows
  • No install required
  • Low RAM usage
  • Can automatically start counting down immediately
  • Includes over 20 loop-friendly alarm sounds (Meaning they'll play over and over until you reset the timer)
  • Can automatically restart timer when it finishes
  • Lets you quickly and easily change the countdown time with mouse or keyboard shortcuts
  • Automatically saves all settings (optional)
  • Accepts time as command line argument, so you can create preset timer shortcuts or run the timer from a launcher (FARR, Launchy).
  • Can be minimized to tray
  • Supports multiple instances (You should disable always on top and probably autosave settings as well)
  • Can be docked to a corner, in the center or restore the last screen location
  • No internet access required
  • Doesn't write to your registry
  • No ads, spyware or malware
  • 100% free

Tips

  • When the program starts, type the number of minutes (or leave the default), then press Enter to start the countdown
  • To pause / reset the countdown:
     Click the start / pause button
     Click the tray icon
     Click on the timer numerals
  • Double-click on the timer numerals to reset the countdown
  • Use the arrow keys to increase or decrease the number of minutes by multiples of 5
  • Use the Escape (Esc) key to exit the program
  • Set the minutes to 0 to count up

Works on all versions of Windows, 32 and 64-bit.

SnapTimer is freeware and open source and can be used for private or commercial use.

How to install: No installation required. Just unzip the downloaded archive and run SnapTimer.exe

The source code is available on github

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Download it

Version: 0.1
Size: 1.48MB (3.15MB uncompressed)
MD5: C145A92254BBFC5C08F23BD74AA5B073
SHA-1: 7131F4C79038B8059F8EF16601077F075CFAD2DC
License: Freeware

Mentioned elsewhere

Screenshots

SnapTimer main window

The main timer window, where you can enter the time in minutes, or start and stop the timer.



SnapTimer options 1

The first tab of the options dialog, allowing you to change settings making the window always on top or autostarting the timer when SnapTimer starts.



SnapTimer options 2

Customize the four different actions that can enabled when the countdown is completed.



SnapTimer options 3

Change the font size, color and background color.

Updated Mar 07, 2024