# Tabata Timer vs Exercise Timer

The clearest difference is ads: Exercise Timer at none against Tabata Timer's shown. Tabata Timer's advantage is review sentiment (98% vs 73%) and update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Tabata Timer sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Exercise Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 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 — 4.9 for Tabata Timer against 4.8 for Exercise Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tabata Timer has 9.2K ratings behind it against 1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 98% of Tabata Timer's written reviews are positive against 73% of Exercise Timer's.

Tabata Timer ships an update every 10 days, Exercise Timer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tabata Timer | Exercise Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (9.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabata-timer-interval-timer/id1255964203/reviews)** | [4.8 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exercise-timer-interval-timer/id1501534442/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **9.2K** | 1K |
| Positive reviews | **98.3% of reviews** | 73.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 40 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Oleksandr Serhiienko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1255964202) | [Neurondigital Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1501534441) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Exercise Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exercise-timer-interval-timer/id1501534442)

Create and guide custom interval training routines with this app. It supports timed and rep-based exercises, offers voice coaching, and logs your workout history with detailed analytics. Track progress over time and organize routines into training plans.

**Highlights:** Custom workout routines, Voice coach for next exercise, Timed and rep-based exercises, Workout logging and analytics, Training plans, Background operation, Apple Watch support

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Exercise Timer Premium Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Exercise Timer Premium Yearly | $30.99 | per year |
| Exercise Timer Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great value without fluff
- 👍 Simple but customizable
- 👍 Awesome HIIT timer with exercise naming
- 👍 Versatile and customizable exercise timer
- 👍 A very underrated app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy, freezes constantly
- 🐛 Apple Watch version dysfunctional
- 🐛 Input nightmare, difficult to use
- 🐛 Landscape mode not available on iOS
- 🐛 Reordering exercises in edit stage is a nightmare

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues with Apple Watch
- Randomly locking users out and requiring upgrade
- Deleting all routines after uninstalling
- Exercises not updating properly on Apple Watch
- Apple Watch app causing native exercise app to crash

**Requested features**

- Sync workouts across devices without logging out/in
- Ability to duplicate workouts on iPhone
- Search, sort, or reorder routines
- Connect with Apple Health app
- Shortcut/automation support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tabata Timer free?

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

### Is Exercise Timer free?

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

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

Tabata Timer is rated higher. Tabata Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 9.2K ratings, while Exercise Timer averages 4.8 from 1K ratings.

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

Tabata Timer shows ads; Exercise Timer does not.

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

Tabata Timer ships an update every 10 days, and Exercise Timer monthly. Most recently, Tabata Timer was updated on September 24, 2026 and Exercise Timer on September 21, 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.*