Comparison

Tabata Timer vs SwolTime

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Tabata Timer

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
Read full description

Become better, faster, and stronger — together with Tabata Timer for Workouts! A simple yet powerful HIIT and Tabata timer for cardio, CrossFit, and any high-intensity training. Beginners can start with one tap, while advanced users get full control over every interval. Create custom workouts: adjust work and rest times, sets, and cycles; add interval names, background music, and voice cues. The app runs smoothly in the background, supports vibration, music ducking, and much more. More than just a stopwatch — your personal workout partner that keeps you focused, motivated, and on track anywhere — at home, in the gym, or outdoors. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

SwolTime

This app provides a versatile interval timer for various fitness routines like Tabata, HIIT, boxing, and weightlifting. It allows for real-time adjustments, customizable settings, and workout sequencing. Track progress with notes and use it in the background or with Apple Watch integration.

Highlights
  • Dynamic workout timer control
  • On-the-fly timer adjustments
  • Customizable interval timer settings
  • Custom workout sequencing
  • Progress notes
  • Background operation
  • Apple Watch integration
Features
Read full description

Time your Tabata, HIIT, boxing, crossfit, running, weightlifting, EMOM, and WOD routines with SwolTime — the workout timer app for precise interval tracking, rest management, and customizable fitness planning. [ DYNAMIC WORKOUT TIMER CONTROL ] • With a simple press, SwolTime adapts in real-time, letting you tweak sets, workout, and rest durations without missing a beat. [ ON-THE-FLY TIMER ADJUSTMENTS ] • Fine-tune your session's intensity by adding or cutting time, and navigate through your workout with skip and rewind options. [ CUSTOMIZE INTERVAL TIMER SETTINGS ] • Personalize your SwolTime experience in the Settings, from timer increments to motivational halfway sounds. [ CUSTOM WORKOUT SEQUENCING ] • SwolTime Playlists combine exercises into cohesive sessions, simplifying routines with smooth transitions and tailored rest periods. [ QUEUE WORKOUT PLAYLISTS ] • Quickly organize and modify exercises in a sequence, enhancing workout focus and efficiency. [ PROGRESS NOTES ] • Document your journey with detailed notes on Playlists and exercises, a simple yet powerful tool for tracking your fitness evolution. [ BACKGROUND BEAST MODE ] • SwolTime's background functionality means your focus stays on your workout, not your screen, even with your phone locked. [ APPLE WATCH INTEGRATION ] • Adjust your workout on-the-fly directly from your Apple Watch. Monitor intervals and manage your workout all from the convenience of your wrist. ▶ ONE TIMER FOR EVERY WORKOUT ◀ [ WORKOUT INTERVAL TIMER ] • Craft the ideal balance between active sessions and rest periods, enhancing both endurance and strength. [ BOXING ROUND TIMER ] • Sharpen your technique and precision with custom "Boxing Training" playlists, integrating exercises and breaks for a seamless session. [ TABATA TIMER ] • Engage in quick, intense bouts of exercise followed by very short breaks, a method proven to increase stamina and strength. [ HIIT TIMER ] • Tailor your sessions for short, intense bursts of activity followed by brief recovery periods, ideal for burning fat and improving cardiovascular health. [ CROSSFIT TIMER ] • Organize your varied, high-intensity workouts with a timer that adapts to the day's challenge, keeping you on track and motivated. [ WOD TIMER ] • Navigate the Workout of the Day with ease, focusing on beating your personal bests in a variety of high-intensity activities. [ EMOM WORKOUT TIMER ] • Boost efficiency with a timer that challenges you to complete a task at the start of every minute, perfect for high-intensity workouts. [ WEIGHTLIFTING REST TIMER ] • Leverage strategic breaks to maximize recovery and performance, making each workout more effective. [ STOPWATCH TIMER ] • Capture every moment of your training with accuracy, ideal for timing sprints, laps, or measuring improvement over time. [ GYM TIMER ] • Organize your gym session effectively, ensuring a comprehensive workout that covers all your fitness goals. [ RUNNING & SPRINT TIMER ] • Enhance your running or sprinting with targeted timing, focusing on improving speed and endurance with every session. ▶ READ WHAT SWOLTIME USERS SAY ◀ • "[...] I looooove this app - it targets all the most annoying aspects of planning your own workout." • "[...] The halfway chime is the only thing that keeps me going during hard sets." • "[...] No more hassle configuring things on the fly. Every other app feels like a toy compared to this." ------------ Download SwolTime to transform your workouts on your smartphone. Need assistance or have suggestions? Reach out for support at support@swoltime.com. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://swoltime.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

Tabata Timer4 screens
SwolTime4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: SwolTime at none against Tabata Timer's shown. SwolTime also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). Tabata Timer's advantage is ratings volume (9.2K vs 52). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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

Both are free to download. Tabata Timer sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and SwolTime sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Tabata Timer against 5.0 for SwolTime. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tabata Timer has 9.2K ratings behind it against 52, 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 100% of SwolTime's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tabata Timer ships an update every 10 days, SwolTime fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Tabata Timer versus SwolTime: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTabata TimerSwolTime
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (9.2K ratings)5.0 (52 ratings) — better
Positive reviews98.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9.2K — better52
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterFortnightly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB77 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOleksandr SerhiienkoSWOL LLC (USA)

Customer experience

Tabata Timer

All ratings9,173 ratings
Positive99.0%
Neutral0.7%
Negative0.4%
Written reviews2,706 reviews
Positive98.3%
Neutral0.8%
Negative0.8%

SwolTime

All ratings52 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Tabata Timer

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

5 requests
  • 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

SwolTime

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Tabata Timer

Subscriptions4
  • Premium$1.491 Month
  • Premium$2.993 Months
  • Premium$4.496 Months
Show 1 more
  • Premium$7.491 Year
One-time1
  • Premium$9.99
2 purchases

SwolTime

Subscriptions2
  • SwolTime Pro Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • SwolTime Pro Yearly14 Days trial$12.991 Year

Questions

Is Tabata Timer free?
Tabata Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SwolTime free?
SwolTime is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Tabata Timer or SwolTime?
SwolTime is rated higher. Tabata Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 9.2K ratings, while SwolTime averages 5.0 from 52 ratings.
Do Tabata Timer or SwolTime have ads?
Tabata Timer shows ads; SwolTime does not.
Which is updated more often, Tabata Timer or SwolTime?
Tabata Timer ships an update every 10 days, and SwolTime fortnightly. Most recently, Tabata Timer was updated on September 26, 2026 and SwolTime on September 21, 2026.

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