Rest Timer vs Box Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Rest Timer
This app provides a simple countdown timer for rest periods during workouts. It features customizable sounds, notification-based restarts, and dynamic display support. Easily manage your workout intervals without interrupting your music or unlocking your phone.
- One-tap timer start
- Customizable rest periods
- Plays music during countdown
- Restart from notification
- Dynamic Island and Live Activity support
- Adjust timer while running
Read full descriptionHide full description
Free app. No ads. Start the timer with one tap. Keeps playing music after a short alarm sound. Restart the timer from the notification. Dynamic Island and Live Activity supported. This is the simplest countdown timer out there, with a set of convenience features you can't find in any other similar app. It's primarily used for timing rest periods during a strength training workout. It works great in the gym, at home, and outdoors. Let your phone notify you when it's time to start the next set or exercise. *** Instructions *** Start the countdown by pressing one of the 9 timer buttons. Reset it if you don't need it anymore. Press'n'hold the button to change its timer duration. === Important! === Please make sure to allow the app to send you notifications, otherwise, you might not hear sound warnings, and it won't work with the screen locked. *** What makes this app better than the others? *** You can change the timer duration while the timer is already running. The app recalculates the remaining time and keeps the time that has already passed. Sometimes there is not enough energy in the tank, and you need an extra minute to rest. Or you started the wrong timer and want to change it to the correct one. The app uses carefully selected custom sounds that play nicely with your workout music. They are noticeable enough not to miss them but still easy on your ears. A gentle sound warning signals you to start preparing for the next set (for time intervals of 30 seconds and higher). Another more distinct sound follows when the time is up. When you're done with the set, you can restart the timer from the notification without unlocking the screen! No need to think about how long your rest time is after each set. *** FAQ *** Q. I can't hear the sound notifications. What's wrong? A. Please make sure that you have allowed the app to send you notifications. Go to Settings App -> Notifications -> find WaitWaitGo! -> Allow notifications and Sounds need to be On. Also, make sure that the silent switch on the phone is off, and if you have any iOS focus modes active, make sure they allow notifications from WaitWaitGo!. As a last resort, go to Settings -> Sounds and make sure that the Ringer And Alerts volume slider is set to some higher value.
Box Timer
This app provides a simple, distraction-free timer designed for intense training sessions like CrossFit, HIIT, and functional fitness. It features a massive, high-contrast display, customizable interval options, and seamless audio cue integration with music apps. All workouts are automatically saved for easy tracking and reuse.
- Massive, high-contrast display
- Supports AMRAP, EMOM, For Time, Tabata
- Customizable work/rest intervals and rounds
- Works with music apps, clear audio cues
- Automatic workout history and reuse
- Background operation and screen lock support
- No ads or sign-up required
Read full descriptionHide full description
SIMPLE TIMER BUILT FOR SERIOUS TRAINING Box Timer brings the power of a CrossFit box timer to your phone. Massive display. Zero distractions. Works perfectly whether you're in the gym, at home, or training outdoors. BUILT FOR CROSSFIT, HIIT & FUNCTIONAL FITNESS From crushing WODs to HYROX training and daily circuits — Box Timer handles every workout type with a clean interface that keeps you focused on the work, not the timer. EVERY WORKOUT TYPE COVERED - AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) - EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) - For Time workouts with countdown - Tabata (20/10 protocol) - Custom intervals with work/rest periods and rounds - Count up or count down modes DESIGNED FOR VISIBILITY – Massive timer display with high-contrast text – Landscape mode for maximum size – Readable from 10+ meters away – Perfect for garage gyms and home workouts AUDIO THAT WORKS WITH YOUR MUSIC – Crystal-clear audio cues for round changes – Works seamlessly with Spotify, Apple Music, and any audio app – No interruptions to your playlist – Simple settings for audio on/off SAVE YOUR GO-TO TIMERS – Save any timer as a named preset – Load it again with one tap from the timer screen – Edit or delete presets anytime – Never set up the same workout twice ZERO FRICTION EXPERIENCE – Works in background and with screen locked – No account or sign-up required – No ads – Lightning-fast timer setup – Runs smoothly even during intense workouts GLOBAL FITNESS COMMUNITY Available in English, Swedish, German, Spanish, Polish, French, and Japanese WHY ATHLETES CHOOSE BOX TIMER "This app is a must have for CrossFit workouts. Ideal for emoms, amraps and for time workouts. I even use it for strength work like squats by programming beeps for 45 seconds work and 2 minutes rest. And it’s free! I mean come on." Whether you're an elite athlete or just starting your fitness journey, Box Timer delivers exactly what you need: a powerful, distraction-free timer that stays out of your way. Get it now and experience the difference.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ratings volume: Box Timer at 2.9K against Rest Timer's 11. Rest Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Rest Timer against 4.9 for Box Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Box Timer has 2.9K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Rest Timer's written reviews are positive against 93% of Box Timer's.
Rest Timer ships an update every 2 months, Box Timer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Rest Timer | Box Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (11 ratings) | 4.9 (2.9K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 93.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 2.9K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 18 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Srdan Stanic | Edvin Linden |
Customer experience
Rest Timer
Box Timer
Bugs and requests
Rest Timer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Box Timer
Reported bugs
3 issues- Timer not functioning properly in landscape mode
- Review prompt interfering with timer operation
- Compatibility issues on certain iPad models
Requested features
4 requests- Round count display during rest periods
- Customizable countdown beeps or sounds
- Ability to save and load custom timer settings
- Apple Watch app support
In-app purchases
Rest Timer
No in-app purchases
Box Timer
No in-app purchases









