Periodic Timer + vs Next Up
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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!
Next Up
Create and customize interval timers with detailed options for reps, sets, colors, and sounds. Offers flexible display modes, quick actions for navigation, and background notifications. Organize timers with folders and choose between light and dark themes.
- Customizable intervals (reps, sets, colors, sounds)
- Detailed and full-screen display modes
- Portrait and landscape orientation support
- Quick actions for navigation and editing
- Background notifications
- Timer organization with folders
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Customize Your Intervals, Your Way A fully customizable interval timer: Create your intervals. Specify reps, sets, colours and sounds. Tailor it to your purpose and needs. Minimal design and easy to use. Options for rep-based intervals and images. Display options: Choose to run your timer in a detailed view that auto-scrolls through intervals or a full-screen mode for a larger, easily visible display. Both modes support portrait and landscape orientations. Visual details: In detailed view, running intervals and sets are highlighted, providing a clear visual cue. For intervals with multiple reps, the highlighted area indicates the percentage completed. Set optional background colours on intervals for a visual cue. Light and dark mode versions are available and will adapt to your preferences set on your device. Quick actions: Set an interim interval that will automatically be added between intervals. Optionally, end your timer with the interim interval. Skip or backtrack through intervals using intuitive arrow buttons. Swipe actions allow for easy deletion and duplication of intervals and sets. --- Interval Timer features: • Interval timers: Create timers with unlimited intervals. • Description, Length, and Reps: Set the details of each interval, customizing it to your precise requirements. • Interim Intervals: Quickly set up timers by adding interim intervals that run between each interval. • Interval Sets: Group intervals into sets and specify the desired number of set reps. • Interval Customization: Differentiate intervals with background colors. • Time Display: View countdown of each interval and total remaining time, with an option to display total elapsed time. • Progress and Highlighting: View progress with highlighted current intervals and reps completed. • Start from Any Interval: Choose which interval to start the timer from, providing maximum control. • User-friendly Actions: Effortlessly manage intervals with swipe actions for deletion and duplication. Duplicate button allows for easy copying of intervals, sets, and timers. Arrow buttons enable smooth navigation between intervals. • Background Notifications: Run timers in the background and receive alerts for interval changes and timer completion. • Organize with Folders: Create folders to organize and easily access your timers. • Orientation and Display: Enjoy portrait and landscape orientations, and full-screen mode for a larger timer display. • Light and Dark Mode: Seamlessly switch between light and dark mode to suit your preference. Upgrade features include: • Unlimited timers: Create as many timers as you like. • Sound Options: Enable countdown beeps, set interval/timer sounds, and/or enable text to speech. • Rep-based Intervals: Option to create intervals based on reps instead of time to offer maximum flexibility. • More Interval Customization: Differentiate intervals with images/photos and sounds. • Edit received timers: Flexibility to modify all timers. Subscription - syncing and sharing timers: • Sync and Share: Sync timers across devices and choose to share timers and folders with other users. Sharing via email includes a direct download link and instructions. --- Privacy Policy: https://alysha.dev/interval-timer-privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://alysha.dev/interval-timer-terms-of-use
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Next Up at Free against Periodic Timer +'s $4.99. Next Up also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (76% vs 54%). On 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
Next Up is free to download; Periodic Timer + costs $4.99 up front. Periodic Timer + sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Next Up sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Next Up holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Next Up has 2.8K ratings behind it against 74, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Periodic Timer +'s written reviews are positive against 76% of Next Up's.
Periodic Timer + ships an update every 4 months, Next Up every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Periodic Timer + | Next Up |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.9 (74 ratings) | 4.7 (2.8K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 53.6% of reviews | 76.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 74 | 2.8K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vladimir Kelin | Alysha Kwok |
Customer experience
Periodic Timer +
Next Up
In-app purchases
Periodic Timer +
- Tip a Banana$0.99
- Tip a Coffee$3.99
- Donate: Bust the project!$9.99
Next Up
- Syncing and Sharing$3.991 Month
- Upgrade$2.99
Questions
Is Periodic Timer + free?
Is Next Up free?
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer + or Next Up?
Do Periodic Timer + or Next Up have ads?
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer + or Next Up?
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