Comparison

Workout Timer Essential vs Smart Workout Counter

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

Head to head
About

Workout Timer Essential

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
Read full description

Hi, my name is Alessandro, 23yo from Italy. I've been going to the gym since I was a teen and I've tried pretty much all the gym apps in the App Store, both paid and not. Nothing worked. They were either cluttered messes, no longer maintained, terribly designed or simply not working anymore. So I've set out to design my own, targeting the latest Apple hardware and Development Kit, sticking to the true simplicity of a bicolor, essential layout. I decided to share it with you, for free, with a small in app purchase to remove ads if you want to support the development, hoping you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you.This App integrates with Health Kit to use the Workout functions in your Apple Watch.

About

Smart Workout Counter

Create and track custom workout routines with this intuitive timer. It automatically guides you through your exercises, counting sets or time, and allows for easy navigation between sessions. Enjoy background music and choose from various voice cues to enhance your training experience.

Highlights
  • Customizable workout routines
  • Automatic counting of sets/time
  • Workout flow visualization
  • Pause and navigate sessions
  • Background music support
  • Multiple voice cues
Features
Read full description

Customize your own workout plan and get your training coach for free! 'Smart Workout Counter' is the simplest workout tracker. Don't be disturbed while training your body. If you set up your workout routines, the app will automatically count and tell you! Just set up routines and get your free Workout Counter. > Features You can customize your own workout routines - lengths, repetition, set It doesn't matter which sports you prefer - Home training, yoga, pilates and all other sports lovers can set up their own routines The app will cue you according to the set up routines - lengths, number of repetitions, etc. > Set up workout lists Customize various routines you like and Use it anywhere - at home, at the gym or even in the park. You don't need to remember all those complex routines by yourself! The app will remember for you. > Workout The app will count you the number of sets or time of the session. Also you can enjoy background music while you workout. Whenever you want, you can check the whole workout flow at the bottom. You can pause or move on to the next/previous session Repeat is also available. > Other There are 4 types of voices and background music.

Screenshots

Workout Timer Essential4 screens
Smart Workout Counter4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Smart Workout Counter at 4.9 against Workout Timer Essential's 2.7. Smart Workout Counter also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 16 months). Workout Timer Essential's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Workout Timer Essential sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Smart Workout Counter sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Smart Workout Counter holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Workout Timer Essential's written reviews are positive against 88% of Smart Workout Counter's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Workout Timer Essential ships an update every 16 months, Smart Workout Counter every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and August 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Workout Timer Essential versus Smart Workout Counter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWorkout Timer EssentialSmart Workout Counter
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (3 ratings)4.9 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews87.8% of reviews — better
Number of ratings38 — better
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlessandro PettazzoniJEONGSIM CHOI

Customer experience

Workout Timer Essential

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Smart Workout Counter

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive87.8%
Neutral4.1%
Negative8.2%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Workout Timer Essential

One-time1
  • Ads Removal$0.99
1 purchases

Smart Workout Counter

One-time1
  • Premium Version$0.99

Questions

Is Workout Timer Essential free?
Workout Timer Essential is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Smart Workout Counter free?
Smart Workout Counter is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Workout Timer Essential or Smart Workout Counter?
Smart Workout Counter is rated higher. Workout Timer Essential averages 2.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Smart Workout Counter averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do Workout Timer Essential or Smart Workout Counter have ads?
Smart Workout Counter shows ads; Workout Timer Essential does not.
Which is updated more often, Workout Timer Essential or Smart Workout Counter?
Workout Timer Essential ships an update every 16 months, and Smart Workout Counter every 3 days. Most recently, Workout Timer Essential was updated on September 14, 2026 and Smart Workout Counter on August 28, 2026.

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