# Tabata Timer vs Custom Fitness Timer

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Custom Fitness Timer at none against Tabata Timer's 5. Custom Fitness Timer also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 10 days) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). Tabata Timer's advantage is ratings volume (9.2K vs 6) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Tabata Timer sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Custom Fitness Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Tabata Timer against 5.0 for Custom Fitness Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tabata Timer has 9.2K ratings behind it against 6, 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 Custom Fitness Timer's.

Tabata Timer ships an update every 10 days, Custom Fitness Timer every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and June 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Tabata Timer | Custom Fitness Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (9.2K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabata-timer-interval-timer/id1255964203/reviews) | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/custom-fitness-timer/id6448923014/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **9.2K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 98.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Ad-supported** |
| Size | 40 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Oleksandr Serhiienko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1255964202) | [Jared Rosenthal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1686932132) |

## 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


### Custom Fitness Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/custom-fitness-timer/id6448923014)

Create and manage custom timers for various fitness activities like countdowns, intervals, and work/rest periods. Features include intuitive navigation, a press-and-hold stopwatch, and optional sound alerts. Personalize timers with custom names and colors to match different phases.

**Highlights:** Unlimited custom timer creation, Countdown timer, Interval timer, Work/Rest timer, Press and hold stopwatch, Optional timer sounds, Color-coded timer phases

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Tabata Timer free?

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

### Is Custom Fitness Timer free?

Custom Fitness Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Tabata Timer or Custom Fitness Timer?

Custom Fitness Timer is rated higher. Tabata Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 9.2K ratings, while Custom Fitness Timer averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.

### Do Tabata Timer or Custom Fitness Timer have ads?

Both Tabata Timer and Custom Fitness Timer show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Tabata Timer or Custom Fitness Timer?

Tabata Timer ships an update every 10 days, and Custom Fitness Timer every 4 days. Most recently, Tabata Timer was updated on September 26, 2026 and Custom Fitness Timer on June 11, 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.*