Conference & speaker timer
Keep every speaker slot on time, session after session.
Put a clean countdown on the speaker's confidence monitor while the AV desk runs the clock, advances the schedule, and sends a private cue before time runs out.
Product Demo
RunCue
Built for the AV desk running a multi-speaker schedule.
Run every track's schedule from one browser room per stage — no OBS scene, Stream Deck, or confidence-monitor hardware to wire in just to keep speakers on time.
Compare timers
Choose the setup that matches who needs to see and control the timer.
| Timer | Price | Speaker visibility | Producer control | Cue context | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stagetimer.io (Starter, free) | Free — Pro is $210/yr (~$17.50/mo), Premium $420/yr | Free plan caps you at 3 live connections and 3 timers per room | Full controller, but no private producer cue board | Color-coded on-screen messages, no dedicated cue card | A single small stage under the free connection cap |
| Stagetimer.io (Single Event License) | One-time payment, 30 days of access, no subscription — exact price shown at checkout | Same connection and timer caps as the plan tier you buy the license for | Full controller for the 30-day window, then access ends on its own | No private producer cue board, same as stagetimer.io's subscription tiers | One conference where you don't want any subscription on the card at all |
| Ontime (free, open-source) | Free if self-hosted — Cloud PRO is $20/mo, Studio $80/mo | No connection limit, but you run and maintain the server, or pay for Cloud | Full rundown control across multiple stages once it's set up | Rundown notes and checkpoints, not a private producer cue board | Teams with the time to self-host, or budget for multi-stage Cloud plans |
| RunCue | $19/mo Pro, $49/mo Team | Separate stage link for the speaker or confidence monitor, hosted for you | Separate control link for the AV desk, nothing to install | Private producer cue cards for handoffs and wrap-up moments on every plan | AV teams that want a dedicated speaker timer without hardware or self-hosting |
Sources: Stagetimer.io for conferences and Stagetimer.io pricing and Ontime (getontime.no).
How it works
Set up the stage and control views before doors open.
Built for
Conference producers, AV desks, pitch-competition and demo-day organizers, and multi-track event teams.
Pricing
Try the live workflow for 15 minutes.
Keep the room active with every template and custom branding
$19/moPro plus white-label displays
$49/moMonth-to-month, no minimum term — cancel anytime from your secure purchase library, so subscribing for a single event is a normal way to use RunCue. Review the Terms, Privacy Policy, and Refund Policy.
Weighing it against a free stage timer? See the full price and feature comparison.
FAQ
Choosing a timer for conferences and speaker slots
Isn't stagetimer.io free for conferences?
Its Starter plan is free, but it caps you at 3 live connections and 3 timers per room and does not include a private producer cue board. Its Pro plan is $210/yr (about $17.50/mo), and Premium is $420/yr.
Doesn't stagetimer.io offer a one-time, no-subscription price for a single conference?
Yes — its Single Event License is a one-time payment for 30 days of access, then it lapses on its own. If you don't want a subscription on the card at all for a single conference, that's a real reason to pick it. RunCue's month-to-month plan costs about the same either way to cancel after your event from your Gumroad library, and it keeps your exact setup — segments, branding, cue cards — in place for next year's conference.
Isn't Ontime free and open-source?
Yes — Ontime is free if you self-host it, which means running and maintaining your own server across every stage. Its Cloud PRO option starts at $20/mo, and Cloud Studio (for larger multi-stage events) is $80/mo.
Can the speaker see the AV desk's cues?
No. The stage link only shows a clean countdown, suitable for a confidence monitor or floor screen. Cue cards and controls stay on the AV desk's control link.
Does the schedule auto-advance between speakers?
Yes. The control view moves to the next segment on schedule so the AV desk isn't manually restarting a timer for every speaker slot.
Is RunCue free?
No. There's no permanent free plan. A 15-minute, no-card trial runs the full timer, then Pro is $19/mo and Team is $49/mo — Team also removes RunCue branding from display links, useful for public-facing stage screens.
Is there a trial?
Yes — and there's no rush to set it up. You get up to 7 days to build the run of show before any clock starts; the 15-minute live trial begins only once you press Start, and it includes the live timer, separate role links, cues, Reset, and segment editing before the room locks — no card required.
Get started