Comparison

Periodic Timer + vs Exercise Timer

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

Head to head
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!

About

Exercise Timer

Create and guide custom interval training routines with this app. It supports timed and rep-based exercises, offers voice coaching, and logs your workout history with detailed analytics. Track progress over time and organize routines into training plans.

Highlights
  • Custom workout routines
  • Voice coach for next exercise
  • Timed and rep-based exercises
  • Workout logging and analytics
  • Training plans
  • Background operation
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

Create custom workout routines & let Exercise Timer guide you through your interval training. Exercise Timer supports both timed exercises and even reps-based exercises (press 'done' when exercise complete). Use Exercise Timer with your screen on or even in the background with your screen locked. Keep your phone in your pocket & Exercise Timer will still let you know which exercise is coming up by voice, vibration & bell. Keep a log of every workout along with an exercise breakdown & take notes. Know how much time you spend exercising with weekly, monthly & yearly charts. In addition to this, Exercise Timer generates reports of individual exercises with overall totals & Exercise Progression charts FEATURES • Create your custom workout routines • Voice Coach announces the next exercise • Optional Metronome to improve cadence • Multiple Bell Sounds • Group Exercises. E.g.: for Warm-Up/Cool-Down • Timed Exercises & Reps exercises supported • Color code your Exercises • Explain your exercises better with our library of exercise GIFs • Log & keep track of your workouts • Workout Analytics • Organize your workouts in Training Plans • Training plans designed by our fitness experts • Works in Background with device locked and screen off • Use Exercise Timer on your Apple Watch IDEAL FOR: • Interval Training, Tabata & Circuit Training • Yoga • Boxing • Keeping all your Workout Routines & Plans in one place • Gym Timer ARE YOU A FITNESS TRAINER? Create your Training Plans and workout routines in Exercise Timer and easily share them with your clients. APPLE WATCH Yes, Exercise Timer works on your Apple Watch! All your workouts are automatically synced on your Apple watch. Workouts performed on your apple watch are also logged on your phone. Download Exercise Timer Now and get moving! UNLOCK PREMIUM FEATURES Exercise Timer Premium is available with a monthly or annual subscription. If you choose to purchase Exercise Timer Premium, payment will be charged to your iTunes account, and your account will be charged for renewal 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. Your subscription will automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24hrs before the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and Auto-renewal may be turned off at any time by going to the ‘Manage Subscription’ page after purchase. Any unused portion of the free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Terms of service: https://exercisetimer.net/terms Privacy policy: https://exercisetimer.net/privacypolicy

Screenshots

Periodic Timer +4 screens
Exercise Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Exercise Timer at Free against Periodic Timer +'s $4.99. Exercise Timer also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.9) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Exercise Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Exercise Timer has 1K 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 73% of Exercise Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periodic Timer + ships an update every 4 months, Exercise Timer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Periodic Timer + versus Exercise Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic Timer +Exercise Timer
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (74 ratings)4.8 (1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.6% of reviews73.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings741K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.017
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir KelinNeurondigital Ltd

Customer experience

Periodic Timer +

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

Exercise Timer

All ratings1,000 ratings
Positive95.9%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews56 reviews
Positive73.2%
Neutral7.1%
Negative19.6%

Bugs and requests

Periodic Timer +

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Exercise Timer

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Syncing issues with Apple Watch
  • Randomly locking users out and requiring upgrade
  • Deleting all routines after uninstalling
  • Exercises not updating properly on Apple Watch
  • Apple Watch app causing native exercise app to crash
Show 1 more
  • Phone locked, no chime when locked

Requested features

5 requests
  • Sync workouts across devices without logging out/in
  • Ability to duplicate workouts on iPhone
  • Search, sort, or reorder routines
  • Connect with Apple Health app
  • Shortcut/automation support

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Periodic Timer +

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

Exercise Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Exercise Timer Premium Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Exercise Timer Premium Yearly3 Days trial$30.991 Year
One-time1
  • Exercise Timer Lifetime$69.99

Questions

Is Periodic Timer + free?
Periodic Timer + costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Exercise Timer free?
Exercise Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer + or Exercise Timer?
Exercise Timer is rated higher. Periodic Timer + averages 3.9 out of 5 from 74 ratings, while Exercise Timer averages 4.8 from 1K ratings.
Do Periodic Timer + or Exercise Timer have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer + nor Exercise Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer + or Exercise Timer?
Periodic Timer + ships an update every 4 months, and Exercise Timer monthly. Most recently, Periodic Timer + was updated on September 24, 2026 and Exercise Timer on September 25, 2026.

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