Comparison

Gym Timer vs Zabata

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

Head to head
About

Gym Timer

This app helps you track gym sessions and manage rest times between sets. It's designed for use on a smartwatch, allowing you to leave your phone behind. The app alerts you when it's time to train again, ensuring your workout flows smoothly.

Highlights
  • Track gym sessions
  • Time rest periods between sets
  • Smartwatch optimized
  • Phone-free gym experience
  • Alerts for training intervals
  • HealthKit integration
Features
Read full description

Gym Timer helps you tracking your gym sessions and timing rest time. - You can leave your smartphone in the locker room: An app designed from the concept of the Apple Watch's app to give you the best mobility in the gym, without the need to lug around the smartphone. It's all on your wrist. With CareKit and HealthKit integration, your workout will never be interrupted if your Apple Watch goes into standby mode. - It does everything: With Gym Timer, you just set the number of sets and the rest time between one set and the other, then you just need to start the timer at the end of each set. When is time to start to train again, it will alert you. Follow us on our social media to be the first to know about new features we're developing, to get in touch with our community and give us a feedback. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gymtimer/ Instagram: @gym_timer Twitter: @gym_timer Gym Timer uses Health Kit for some functionalities like staying active while your watch screen is off.

About

Zabata

Features
Read full description

Zabata is a timer that you can use to do Tabata or HIIT workouts. In the training settings you can set intervals, training and break times individually. Suitable for beginners who prefer a simple user interface. Features: - Set training and break time - Set number of training intervals - Sounds at the start and end of training You can stop the timer at any time during training times. The screen remains switched on during the training times so that you have an overview of the time. In addition, you will always receive a countdown tone before your last 3 seconds are up if you don't want to look at the screen. If you are looking for simple and understandable Tabata timers, Zabata is for you! - for free - without advertisement - easy handling - attractive design - no login required

Screenshots

Gym Timer4 screens
Zabata4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Gym Timer at 13.0 against Zabata's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gym Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, Zabata every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Gym Timer versus Zabata: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGym TimerZabata
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (460 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews55.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings460 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGiuseppe FasanoZelfi AG

Bugs and requests

Gym Timer

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Timer resets unexpectedly
  • Set/rep count not updating correctly
  • Syncing issues with Apple Watch
  • Notifications not working as expected

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add option to track exercise time
  • Implement workout history/progress tracking
  • Provide Apple Watch complications
  • Offer paid ad-free version

Zabata

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Gym Timer

No in-app purchases

None

Zabata

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Gym Timer free?
Gym Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Zabata free?
Zabata is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Gym Timer or Zabata have ads?
Neither Gym Timer nor Zabata shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Gym Timer or Zabata?
Gym Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, and Zabata every 6 weeks. Most recently, Gym Timer was updated on October 8, 2026 and Zabata on September 30, 2026.

Other comparisons