Comparison

Interval Timer vs Periodic Timer +

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Interval Timer

Create custom interval timers for workouts, focus sessions, or meditation. Get audio, visual, and haptic cues to stay on track without watching the clock. Track performance and share timers with others.

Highlights
  • Customizable interval timers
  • Multiple intervals, rounds, warm-up, rest
  • Audio, visual, and haptic alerts
  • 14 ready-made presets
  • Performance tracking and lap recording
  • Timer sharing
  • Apple Watch sync
Features
Read full description

Build custom HIIT, Tabata, boxing, and circuit timers with multiple intervals, rounds, warm-up, and rest periods — then let audio beeps, visual cues, and haptic feedback keep you on track so you never have to watch the clock. APPLE HEALTH INTEGRATION Completed timers can save as workouts in Apple Health and contribute to your Activity Rings. Opt in once, tag the timers you want to track (HIIT, Boxing, Yoga, and more), and BeepWatch credits the rings — even when you start the timer on iPhone. Heart rate and active energy from your Apple Watch attach automatically. GET STARTED IN SECONDS Choose from 15 ready-made presets including HIIT, Tabata, Boxing Rounds, Pomodoro Focus, Meditation, and more. Or build your own timer in under a minute. CUSTOM INTERVAL TIMERS * Add as many intervals as you need, each with its own duration, name, sound, and warning * Set total rounds or run infinitely * Add warm-up time before your first interval * Add rest time between rounds * Count up or count down — six display modes to choose from AUDIO, VISUAL & HAPTIC ALERTS * Choose from beeps, buzzes, clicks, gongs, whistles, and more * Set warning alerts before an interval ends * Flash the screen on interval changes * Haptic vibration feedback * Independent volume control for interval and control sounds * Background tick audio to confirm your timer is running TRACK YOUR PERFORMANCE * Automatic and manual lap recording * View split times and deltas * Share lap data with your coach or training partner BEAUTIFUL THEMES & PROGRESS BARS * 20+ color themes including Neon, Aurora, and Sunset * Circle, rows, chronograph, and box progress indicators * Precision timing up to 3 decimal places APPLE WATCH * Full timer sync between iPhone and Apple Watch * Run timers independently on your wrist, or remote-control the timers on your iPhone * Workouts save to Apple Health from either device, with cross-device dedup so you never get double entries * Optimized Watch interface NOT JUST FOR WORKOUTS BeepWatch works for anything you time: Pomodoro focus blocks, study sprints, meditation, sport drills, public-speaking practice, recipe steps, and getting kids through morning routines. SHARE TIMERS * Share any timer via link or file * Recipients preview and import with one tap * Perfect for coaches, trainers, and workout groups NOW IN 12 LANGUAGES BeepWatch speaks Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Italian, Hindi, Indonesian, English, and Simplified Chinese. BeepWatch is the timer app you've been looking for! - - - - - Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Periodic Timer +

This app provides a simple, repeating interval timer that works in the background. It offers customizable sounds, vibration, and flexible output modes for various activities like fitness, cooking, and learning. The interface is designed to be minimalist and distraction-free.

Highlights
  • Repeating interval timer
  • Customizable sounds and vibration
  • Works in the background
  • Long intervals up to 99 hours
  • Multiple timer output modes
  • Shake to start functionality
Features
Read full description

Keep track of time without being distracted by the device! Simple and easy timer that repeats at your chosen interval. FEATURES - Many sounds to select + the ability to add custom ones. - Up to 4 pinned and up to 5 recent Quick Start items. - Long intervals - up to 99 hours! - Vibration, if the sound is off. - Works in the background. - 3 timer output modes: intervals, total time, countdown. - You can cancel or pause the timer with help of a notification. - Flexibility and minimalism. - Shake To Start - can be enabled in settings. - Prevent Lockscreen - another useful setting, the screen will not lock, while the timer is running. USE CASES Here is a list of use cases based on the real feedback: Fitness and health: - Stretching - Stationary bicycle (interval training) - On a treadmill - For HIIT - Jogging - Timed medication - Boxing Cooking - While frying potatoes - Roasting steaks - Checking an oven or a grill to prevent burning Learning & science - Foreign language learning - As a lab timer - Periodic data collection - Speech training - Presentation timing Other - Mindfulness - Communication - To have a sense of time flying away :) HELP Q: Why the timer doesn't work in the background? A: You should allow notifications. Q: How to turn off the sound and turn on the vibration? A: On the device, turn the Silent Mode on. (Side Switch) Q: How can I add a custom sound? A: There are four ways. Choose one depending where is the sound file located. * If the sound on your Mac or PC: 1. Connect the device. 2. Open Finder and select the device. 3. Select Files in the menu. There you'll find 'Periodic +' folder. 4. Drug and drop the sound file there. * From Files app on iPhone: 1. Copy the required file. 2. Open Periodic + folder and paste it. * From another app on iPhone (like Mail): 1. Open the app where the file is located. 2. Find and touch Share button (it may have different name, for example Export). 3. In the appearing Share Sheet find the list of apps. If there is no Periodic +, touch More and enable it. 4. Now select Periodic + in the Share dialog and the sound will be imported. * And the most convenient "+" button! 1. Open Sounds tab. 2. Hit the "+" button in the "Folder" section and pick your file. Q: Alert is limited for 5 seconds! A: Go to Settings app, then Periodic + > Notifications > Banner Style > Persistent. Q: How to switch the Timer Output Mode? A: To switch the Output Mode touch the timer display at the top of the screen. Q: What is Shake To Start for? A: Shake To Start setting allows to start/cancel the timer by shaking the device. Thus, you don't touch the screen, what can be useful while cooking, for example. For this mode, in order to work, the app should be open. This app has a free version with limited features. If you still have questions or suggestions, you can visit the support page (https://goo.gl/forms/pggVBcaBxdW85EGE3), the Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/PeriodicTimer/) or you can email me (periodictimer.sup@gmail.com). If you like the app - please, rate it!

Screenshots

Interval Timer4 screens
Periodic Timer +4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Interval Timer at Free against Periodic Timer +'s $4.99. Interval Timer also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (92% vs 54%). Periodic Timer +'s advantage is chart position (#75 vs unranked). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Interval Timer is free to download; Periodic Timer + costs $4.99 up front. Interval Timer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Periodic Timer + sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Interval Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 164 and 74 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 54% of Periodic Timer +'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Timer ships an update every 3 days, Periodic Timer + every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Interval Timer versus Periodic Timer +: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval TimerPeriodic Timer +
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.8 (164 ratings) — better3.9 (74 ratings)
Positive reviews92.0% of reviews — better53.6% of reviews
Number of ratings164 — better74
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank—#75 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScott DeSapioVladimir Kelin

Customer experience

Interval Timer

All ratings164 ratings
Positive95.1%
Neutral1.2%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews201 reviews
Positive92.0%
Neutral3.0%
Negative5.0%

Periodic Timer +

All ratings74 ratings
Positive67.6%
Neutral9.5%
Negative23.0%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive53.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative32.1%

User reviews

Interval Timer

From 164 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great for workouts
  • 👍 Easy to use and set up
  • 👍 Versatile and customizable
  • 👍 Helpful for interval training
  • 👍 Useful for various activities

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional issues with beeping/vibrating
  • 🔋 Ads can be intrusive
  • 🐛 Some features not very intuitive

Periodic Timer +

From 74 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 👍 Perfect for workouts
  • 👍 No ads, no nonsense
  • 👍 Good app, like it
  • 👍 Very practical

Room to improve

  • 😩 Nagging to write reviews
  • 😩 Doesn't work in background
  • 😩 Not loud enough
  • 😩 Vibration too short
  • 😩 Paid version lacks features

Bugs and requests

Interval Timer

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Unlock Pro feature not working for some users
  • Timers getting deleted unexpectedly

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to save/load custom timer settings
  • Option to set countdown before timer starts
  • Integration with wearable devices

Periodic Timer +

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • Doesn't work in background
  • Timer doesn't work for over 59 minutes on watch
  • Custom alert audio not working
  • Alarm not working after payment
  • App doesn't open
Show 9 more
  • Timer restarts automatically
  • External speaker volume lower
  • Battery drain on Apple Watch
  • Timer stops going off after a certain number of reps
  • App crashes
  • Sound uses sound effect volume on iPad
  • Heart rate sensor stays on when running in background
  • Timer restarts automatically
  • Volume barely audible

Requested features

23 requests
  • More sound options
  • Ability to set alarm for a time of day
  • Explanation for changing display mode
  • Simultaneous timers
  • Ability to set start/end times and weekdays
Show 18 more
  • Customizable notification text
  • Apple Watch complication
  • Widget support
  • Longer vibration duration
  • Lap count and current lap time display
  • Ability to set custom alert audio
  • Option to set alarm for a specific time of day
  • Ability to set multiple timers simultaneously
  • Ability to specify number of loop cycles
  • Option to use custom MP3 files for alerts
  • Control vibration duration
  • Synchronize with iOS clock
  • More diverse vibration modes
  • Ability to add custom notification sounds
  • Turn off Apple Watch function
  • Fix iPad sound volume control
  • Add more timers
  • Make timer not restart automatically

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Interval Timer

Subscriptions2
  • BeepWatch PRO Monthly$2.991 Month
  • BeepWatch PRO Annual$6.991 Year
One-time2
  • BeepWatch 2 PRO$0.99
  • BeepWatch PRO Lifetime$9.99
3 purchases

Periodic Timer +

One-time3
  • Tip a Banana$0.99
  • Tip a Coffee$3.99
  • Donate: Bust the project!$9.99

Questions

Is Interval Timer free?
Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Periodic Timer + free?
Periodic Timer + costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Interval Timer or Periodic Timer +?
Interval Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 164 ratings, while Periodic Timer + averages 3.9 from 74 ratings.
Do Interval Timer or Periodic Timer + have ads?
Neither Interval Timer nor Periodic Timer + shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Periodic Timer +?
Interval Timer ships an update every 3 days, and Periodic Timer + every 4 months. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on October 7, 2026 and Periodic Timer + on October 12, 2026.

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