# Round Timer vs Workout Timer Essential

The clearest difference is rating: Round Timer at 4.8 against Workout Timer Essential's 2.7. Round Timer also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 16 months) and ratings volume (296 vs 3). Workout Timer Essential's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Round Timer sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Workout Timer Essential sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Round Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Round Timer has 296 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Round Timer's written reviews are positive against 50% of Workout Timer Essential's.

Round Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, Workout Timer Essential every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Round Timer | Workout Timer Essential |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (296 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/round-timer-purehiit/id1198752738/reviews)** | [2.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/workout-timer-essential/id1316272592/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **296** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **73.3% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 39 MB | 31 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Miklos Pavel](https://appshunter.io/developer/979923367) | [Alessandro Pettazzoni](https://appshunter.io/developer/1316272591) |

## 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 |


### Workout Timer Essential

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/workout-timer-essential/id1316272592)

A streamlined workout timer designed for simplicity and essential functionality. It offers a clean, bicolor interface and integrates with HealthKit for Apple Watch workout data. Support the developer with an optional in-app purchase to remove ads.

**Highlights:** Essential bicolor layout, HealthKit integration, Apple Watch workout functions, Streamlined design, Optional ad removal

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ads Removal | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Round Timer free?

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

### Is Workout Timer Essential free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Round Timer or Workout Timer Essential?

Round Timer is rated higher. Round Timer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 296 ratings, while Workout Timer Essential averages 2.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do Round Timer or Workout Timer Essential have ads?

Round Timer shows ads; Workout Timer Essential does not.

### Which is updated more often, Round Timer or Workout Timer Essential?

Round Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, and Workout Timer Essential every 16 months. Most recently, Round Timer was updated on September 12, 2026 and Workout Timer Essential on September 14, 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.*