Comparison

Workout Timer Essential vs Gym Rest Timer

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 They were either cluttered messes, no longer maintained, terribly designed or simply not working anymore.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

Gym Rest Timer

Features
Read full description

The simple, powerful timer made for weightlifters, HIIT, and gym training. Gym Rest Timer is your no-fuss workout timer - built for strength training, HIIT, sets, circuits, and even yoga or Tabata. Whether you’re lifting heavy or doing interval workouts, this app helps you rest the right amount and stay on track. Made for Weights, Sets, and Circuits • Quick-start buttons for 30, 60, 90, or 180 seconds • Easy-to-edit custom times to match any routine • Perfect for progressive overload, supersets, and timed rest between sets Clean, Focused Interface • Visual countdown with haptic feedback • Set counter to track your progress • Optional screen-on mode to keep timer visible Custom Alerts & Smart Notifications • Vibration or sound alert when rest ends • Works even while using other apps • Fully customisable notification settings Simple, Effective, Reliable No complicated features. Just a smooth gym timer that works exactly how you need it to. Whether you’re training for strength, endurance, or recovery, this timer helps you stay focused, efficient, and consistent. Download now and upgrade your gym sessions. Privacy Policy: https://ninetysixsoftware.co.uk/simple-gym-rest-timer-privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula

Screenshots

Workout Timer Essential4 screens
Gym Rest Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Workout Timer Essential at none against Gym Rest Timer's shown. Workout Timer Essential also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). Gym Rest Timer's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 16 months). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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 Gym Rest Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.39 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Workout Timer Essential ships an update every 16 months, Gym Rest Timer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Workout Timer Essential versus Gym Rest Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWorkout Timer EssentialGym Rest Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 16 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB97 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlessandro PettazzoniNinety Six Software Ltd

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Workout Timer Essential

One-time1
  • Ads Removal$0.99
2 purchases

Gym Rest Timer

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$0.391 Month
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$2.99

Questions

Is Workout Timer Essential free?
Workout Timer Essential is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gym Rest Timer free?
Gym Rest Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Workout Timer Essential or Gym Rest Timer have ads?
Gym Rest Timer shows ads; Workout Timer Essential does not.
Which is updated more often, Workout Timer Essential or Gym Rest Timer?
Workout Timer Essential ships an update every 16 months, and Gym Rest Timer every 3 weeks. Most recently, Workout Timer Essential was updated on September 14, 2026 and Gym Rest Timer on September 9, 2026.

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