# Round Timer vs Tabata Timer

Round Timer and Tabata Timer both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 98% of Tabata Timer's written reviews are positive against 73% of Round Timer's. Tabata Timer also leads on ratings volume (9.2K vs 296) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 3 weeks). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Round Timer sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Tabata Timer sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Round Timer against 4.9 for Tabata Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tabata Timer has 9.2K ratings behind it against 296, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 73% of Round Timer's written reviews are positive against 98% of Tabata Timer's.

Round Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, Tabata Timer every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Round Timer | Tabata Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (296 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/round-timer-purehiit/id1198752738/reviews) | **[4.9 (9.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabata-timer-interval-timer/id1255964203/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 296 | **9.2K** |
| Positive reviews | 73.3% of reviews | **98.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 10 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 39 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Miklos Pavel](https://appshunter.io/developer/979923367) | [Oleksandr Serhiienko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1255964202) |

## What reviewers say

### Round Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/round-timer-purehiit/id1198752738)

This app provides a simple and customizable timer for interval training like HIIT, Tabata, and EMOM. It offers audio cues, background operation, and integrates with Apple Watch for health tracking. Pre-built routines and workout reminders help users stay consistent with their fitness goals.

**Highlights:** Customizable interval timer, Audio alerts for rounds, Background operation, Apple Watch integration, Workout reminders, Pre-built routines

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Premium features | Free | one-time |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| Custom sounds | $1.99 | one-time |
| Premium features | $4.99 | one-time |
| Premium features | $9.99 | one-time |
| Premium features | $14.99 | one-time |


### Tabata Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabata-timer-interval-timer/id1255964203)

This app provides a versatile interval timer for high-intensity workouts like HIIT and Tabata. Users can create custom routines with adjustable work/rest times, sets, and cycles, and receive voice cues. It functions as a background companion to keep you focused during training.

**Highlights:** Customizable interval timers, HIIT and Tabata training support, Adjustable work and rest times, Set and cycle configuration, Interval naming, Background operation, Voice cues

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $1.49 | per month |
| Premium | $2.99 | per 3 months |
| Premium | $4.49 | per 6 months |
| Premium | $7.49 | per year |
| Premium | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly
- 🚀 Customizable workouts
- 🔊 Clear audio cues
- 💡 Ability to save multiple workouts
- 🎵 Plays music in the background

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
- 🔒 Limited free version (only 2 saved workouts)
- 💰 Paid version required for more features
- 🔀 Easy to accidentally skip intervals
- 🔍 Cluttered interface for some users

**Reported bugs**

- Workouts not saving properly
- Sync issues between app and Apple Watch
- Occasional freezing or restarting of device

**Requested features**

- Ability to name and save more workouts in free version
- Option to add exercise images or videos
- Sync workouts across devices
- Customizable sounds and alerts
- Workout history and progress tracking


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Round Timer free?

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

### Is Tabata Timer free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Round Timer or Tabata Timer?

Tabata Timer is rated higher. Round Timer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 296 ratings, while Tabata Timer averages 4.9 from 9.2K ratings.

### Do Round Timer or Tabata Timer have ads?

Both Round Timer and Tabata Timer show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Round Timer or Tabata Timer?

Round Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, and Tabata Timer every 10 days. Most recently, Round Timer was updated on September 12, 2026 and Tabata Timer on September 24, 2026.

---

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