# Workout Timer Essential vs Interval Timer

The clearest difference is rating: Interval Timer at 4.9 against Workout Timer Essential's 2.7. Interval Timer also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 16 months). Workout Timer Essential's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Workout Timer Essential sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Interval Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Interval Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Interval Timer has 246 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Workout Timer Essential's written reviews are positive against 84% of Interval Timer's.

Workout Timer Essential ships an update every 16 months, Interval Timer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Workout Timer Essential | Interval Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/workout-timer-essential/id1316272592/reviews) | **[4.9 (246 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-hiit-workout/id1596127692/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **246** |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **83.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 31 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Alessandro Pettazzoni](https://appshunter.io/developer/1316272591) | [Yosyp Hameliak](https://appshunter.io/developer/895008826) |

## What reviewers say

### 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 |


### Interval Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-hiit-workout/id1596127692)

This interval timer is designed for HIIT and interval training. Easily set work and rest periods, sets, and rounds to guide your workouts. It supports background operation and music playback, with an Apple Watch companion app for heart rate monitoring.

**Highlights:** Customizable work and rest periods, Set number of sets and rounds, Background operation support, Music playback compatibility, Apple Watch integration, Heart rate monitoring (Apple Watch)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Workout Timer Essential free?

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

### Is Interval Timer free?

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

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

Interval Timer is rated higher. Workout Timer Essential averages 2.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Interval Timer averages 4.9 from 246 ratings.

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

Interval Timer shows ads; Workout Timer Essential does not.

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

Workout Timer Essential ships an update every 16 months, and Interval Timer every 2 months. Most recently, Workout Timer Essential was updated on October 2, 2026 and Interval Timer on October 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.*