Stage Timer Software for Live Events
A native Mac, Windows and Raspberry Pi app for running the countdown on conferences, theatre shows, keynotes and broadcasts — built for the operator standing in the wings, not for a browser tab.
What is a stage timer?
A stage timer is countdown software used to run the timing of a live event from backstage or a control booth. It's the display a presenter or stage manager watches to know exactly how much time is left in a segment — usually on a confidence monitor only production can see. For the fuller picture of what separates a stage timer from a plain countdown clock, see our guide to show timers and stage time.
Stage timer software vs. a browser countdown
A free web timer or phone app can count down from a number to zero. Stage timer software has to do more, because it's running live in front of an audience:
- A native app, not a browser tab. No dependency on a stable internet connection or a laptop that stays awake and doesn't sleep mid-show.
- Multiple simultaneous outputs. The same countdown on a confidence monitor, a broadcast graphics layer via NDI, a wireless LED panel, and a web mirror for remote presenters — at once, not one at a time.
- Show-control integration. OSC, Bitfocus Companion, QLab/Mitti cue mirroring and TCP/UDP, so the timer follows the rest of the show instead of running on its own disconnected clock.
- Frame-accurate timing and LTC timecode for broadcast work, not just whole-second countdowns.
Works on Mac, Windows & Raspberry Pi
KUMA Timer is a native desktop application — not a website you keep a tab open for. It installs and runs the same way on:
| Platform | Notes |
|---|---|
| macOS | Native Apple Silicon and Intel builds, signed and notarized. |
| Windows | Signed installer, no separate runtime to install first. |
| Raspberry Pi | Kiosk mode — boots straight into KUMA Timer on a dedicated Pi, no desktop environment needed. |
Remote control works from any device on the same network through the iOS Companion app or a browser — the operator doesn't need to be at the machine running the timer.
Built for live production
- NDI and OMT video output for broadcast graphics layers
- OSC input/output and a Bitfocus Companion module
- LTC/SMPTE timecode receiver and generator
- QLab and Mitti cue mirroring
- Wireless LED/LCD displays (Ulanzi TC001, ESP32-S3-BOX) and CDEther hardware sync
- Drag-drop cuesheet with live time adjustment (Time Glide, Time Jump)
Running a presentation rather than a full stage show? See Presenter View as a PowerPoint/Keynote overlay — the same app, a lighter-weight workflow.
FAQ
What is a stage timer?
A stage timer is countdown software used to run the timing of a live event — a conference, theatre show, keynote or broadcast segment — from backstage or a control booth. It shows the presenter or crew how much time is left, usually on a confidence monitor only production can see.
Does macOS have a built-in stage timer?
macOS has a basic Clock app with a simple countdown timer, but it has no frame-accurate display, no way to sync a countdown across multiple screens or devices, and no integration with show-control tools like OSC, Bitfocus Companion or QLab. Dedicated stage timer software like KUMA Timer is built for that.
What is stage timer software?
Stage timer software is a dedicated application for running live-event countdowns, as opposed to a browser tab or phone app. It typically adds presets and a cuesheet for multiple segments, live time adjustment without visible jumps, remote control from a second device, and outputs to production equipment such as video mixers, LED panels or lighting consoles.
Is there a countdown timer on Mac?
macOS doesn't ship a dedicated countdown timer app beyond a basic timer in the Clock app, with no frame-accurate display, multi-screen sync or show-control integration. KUMA Timer is a native Mac countdown timer app (Apple Silicon and Intel), free to try for 30 days, built specifically for running live-event countdowns rather than a simple kitchen-timer style count.
How do I make a countdown timer on Mac?
Download and open KUMA Timer for Mac, type in hours, minutes and seconds, and press Start — the countdown runs full-screen or in a window, with optional outputs to a second monitor, NDI or a wireless display. For a quick one-off countdown with no install, the free browser timer works instantly instead.