Comparison

Periodic Timer + vs HIIT Workouts

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

HIIT Workouts

Features
Read full description

HIIT Workouts is a no-fuss high-intensity interval timer built for Apple Watch — with an iPhone companion that's a full partner, not just a second screen. Set your total session length and work/rest splits, then put your wrist down and go: pronounced haptic cues call every transition so you never have to look at the screen. ON YOUR WATCH - Wall-clock-accurate interval timing, anchored so cues never drift - Strong, escalating haptics: a build-up countdown into each work and rest, a bigger jolt for the final interval, and a celebratory finish - Live heart rate and a workout saved to the Health app - Keeps running wrist-down for the whole session - A watch-face complication to launch straight into the app ON YOUR IPHONE - Start, pause, resume, or end a session from your phone — the watch follows in real time and records the real workout - Live countdown in big type: ring, phase, and set count, anchored to the same clock so both devices stay in lockstep - Live heart rate and active calories during the workout, with an average heart rate and calorie summary at the finish - Workout history straight from Health: duration, calories, and average heart rate for every HIIT session - Works with HIIT workouts logged by any app, not just this one START ON EITHER DEVICE Begin on your watch or your phone — whichever you reach first. Starting on one wakes and syncs the other, and if a device is closed or crashes mid-session, you can rejoin the workout already in progress. Designed watch-first for intervals, circuits, Tabata, and any work/rest routine.

Screenshots

Periodic Timer +4 screens
HIIT Workouts4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HIIT Workouts at Free against Periodic Timer +'s $4.99. HIIT Workouts also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months). Periodic Timer +'s advantage is chart position (#64 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On ads 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periodic Timer + ships an update every 4 months, HIIT Workouts weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Periodic Timer + versus HIIT Workouts: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic Timer +HIIT Workouts
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (74 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews53.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings74 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#64 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir KelinRouslan Zenetl

Bugs and requests

Periodic Timer +

Reported bugs

14 issues
  • 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
Show 9 more
  • Timer restarts automatically
  • External speaker volume lower
  • Battery drain on Apple Watch
  • Timer stops going off after a certain number of reps
  • App crashes
  • Sound uses sound effect volume on iPad
  • Heart rate sensor stays on when running in background
  • Timer restarts automatically
  • Volume barely audible

Requested features

23 requests
  • 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
Show 18 more
  • Customizable notification text
  • Apple Watch complication
  • Widget support
  • Longer vibration duration
  • Lap count and current lap time display
  • Ability to set custom alert audio
  • Option to set alarm for a specific time of day
  • Ability to set multiple timers simultaneously
  • Ability to specify number of loop cycles
  • Option to use custom MP3 files for alerts
  • Control vibration duration
  • Synchronize with iOS clock
  • More diverse vibration modes
  • Ability to add custom notification sounds
  • Turn off Apple Watch function
  • Fix iPad sound volume control
  • Add more timers
  • Make timer not restart automatically

HIIT Workouts

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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

HIIT Workouts

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Periodic Timer + free?
Periodic Timer + costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is HIIT Workouts free?
HIIT Workouts is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Periodic Timer + or HIIT Workouts have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer + nor HIIT Workouts shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer + or HIIT Workouts?
Periodic Timer + ships an update every 4 months, and HIIT Workouts weekly. Most recently, Periodic Timer + was updated on October 12, 2026 and HIIT Workouts on September 17, 2026.

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