Comparison

Periodic Timer + vs Simple Stretch 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

Simple Stretch Timer

This app helps you time your stretches with customizable duration and alert settings. It offers vibration and sound cues, allowing you to keep your device in your pocket. Designed for simplicity, it requires no complex setup or user accounts.

Highlights
  • Customizable timer duration
  • Sound alerts
  • Vibration alerts
  • Repeat timer function
  • Pocket-friendly vibration cues
  • No user accounts
Features
Read full description

Simple Stretch Timer is your trusty stretching companion. This timer is as simple as it gets: no settings pages, no premium features, no user accounts, no headaches. Just time your stretch. Control timer duration, sound alerts, vibration alerts and toggle repeat to create a timer that fits your needs. And with strong vibration cues, you can keep it in your pocket without missing a beat. Don't waste time learning how to use a new timer. Keep it simple, and get Simple Stretch Timer today! (This app will always be 100% free and private: it will never have in-app purchases or a premium counterpart and no data will be collected from users by the developer or any third party.)

Screenshots

Periodic Timer +4 screens
Simple Stretch Timer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Simple Stretch Timer at Free against Periodic Timer +'s $4.99. Simple Stretch Timer also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.9) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Periodic Timer +'s advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 22 months) and ratings volume (74 vs 23). On ads, monetization model 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

Simple Stretch Timer is free to download; Periodic Timer + costs $4.99 up front. Periodic Timer + sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Simple Stretch Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Simple Stretch Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 74 and 23 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 54% of Periodic Timer +'s written reviews are positive against 88% of Simple Stretch Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periodic Timer + ships an update every 4 months, Simple Stretch Timer every 22 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Periodic Timer + versus Simple Stretch Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic Timer +Simple Stretch Timer
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (74 ratings)4.9 (23 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.6% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings74 — better23
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 22 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB0 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir KelinRex Garland

Customer experience

Periodic Timer +

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

Simple Stretch Timer

All ratings23 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative6.3%

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
None

Simple Stretch Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Periodic Timer + free?
Periodic Timer + costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Simple Stretch Timer free?
Simple Stretch Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer + or Simple Stretch Timer?
Simple Stretch Timer is rated higher. Periodic Timer + averages 3.9 out of 5 from 74 ratings, while Simple Stretch Timer averages 4.9 from 23 ratings.
Do Periodic Timer + or Simple Stretch Timer have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer + nor Simple Stretch Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer + or Simple Stretch Timer?
Periodic Timer + ships an update every 4 months, and Simple Stretch Timer every 22 months. Most recently, Periodic Timer + was updated on September 24, 2026 and Simple Stretch Timer on September 27, 2026.

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