# Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds vs Tap Timer

The clearest difference is price: Tap Timer at Free against Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds's $4.99. Tap Timer also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (67% vs 55%). Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds's advantage is ratings volume (75 vs 7) and chart position (#159 vs unranked). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Tap Timer is free to download; Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds costs $4.99 up front. Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Tap Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds against 4.0 for Tap Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds has 75 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 55% of Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds's written reviews are positive against 67% of Tap Timer's.

Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds ships an update every 2 months, Tap Timer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds | Tap Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.9 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-plus-custom-sounds/id1175807581/reviews) | **[4.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tap-timer-interval-countdown/id6743085630/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **75** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | 54.5% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#159** | — |
| Size | 17 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladimir Kelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/933241655) | [Max Lottermoser](https://appshunter.io/developer/1654810830) |

## What reviewers say

### Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-plus-custom-sounds/id1175807581)

**Currently charting:** #159 Top Paid · Health & Fitness (US App Store)

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:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip a Banana | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tip a Coffee | $3.99 | one-time |
| Donate: Bust the project! | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 👍 Perfect for workouts
- 👍 No ads, no nonsense
- 👍 Good app, like it
- 👍 Very practical

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😩 Nagging to write reviews
- 😩 Doesn't work in background
- 😩 Not loud enough
- 😩 Vibration too short
- 😩 Paid version lacks features

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't work in background
- Timer doesn't work for over 59 minutes on watch
- Custom alert audio not working
- Alarm not working after payment
- App doesn't open

**Requested features**

- More sound options
- Ability to set alarm for a time of day
- Explanation for changing display mode
- Simultaneous timers
- Ability to set start/end times and weekdays


### Tap Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tap-timer-interval-countdown/id6743085630)

This app provides silent, vibration-based interval timing directly on your wrist. Build custom routines for workouts, focus sessions, or mindfulness practices with an intuitive drag-and-drop editor. It runs standalone on your Apple Watch and integrates with Apple Health.

**Highlights:** Custom haptic alerts for interval phases, Standalone Apple Watch app, Drag-and-drop routine builder, Apple Health integration, Silent, vibration-based feedback, No ads or subscriptions

**Features:** Apple Watch app, iPhone Duo support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Access (Lifetime) | $10.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds free?

Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Tap Timer free?

Tap Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds or Tap Timer?

Tap Timer is rated higher. Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds averages 3.9 out of 5 from 75 ratings, while Tap Timer averages 4.0 from 7 ratings.

### Do Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds or Tap Timer have ads?

Neither Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds nor Tap Timer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds or Tap Timer?

Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds ships an update every 2 months, and Tap Timer fortnightly. Most recently, Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds was updated on November 2, 2026 and Tap Timer on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*