Comparison

Ultra Intervals Workout Timer vs Box Timer

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

Head to head
About

Ultra Intervals Workout Timer

Create and customize interval training routines with simple text input. This app guides you through workouts with spoken cues, sound alerts, and large visual displays, allowing you to focus on your exercise. It supports various training styles like HIIT and Tabata, and can even manage music playback during sessions.

Highlights
  • Create custom interval workouts using plain text
  • Spoken exercise names, times, and notifications
  • Customizable sound cues and visual displays
  • Support for HIIT, Tabata, and circuit training
  • Mix timed and non-timed workout sections
  • Music ducking for notifications
  • Pre-loaded sample workouts
Features
Read full description

Define basic interval timers and custom interval workouts with ease:  Write the workout as plain understandable text and save it, launch the timer and start exercising! As an example, basic 'Tabata' interval timer can be defined by just typing this text: 8x 00:20 Work hard! 00:10 Rest Type those three lines in the text editor, save the file and launch the timer, then do your workout assisted by big display texts, spoken audio, sound cues and more. 8 rounds of 20 seconds of work, 10 seconds rest! Same way you can define more complex workouts, with multiple interval sections consisting of any number of exercises. Check out the screenshots! Running, cycling, kettlebells,..., yoga: Ultra Intervals speaks the exercise names and custom notifications as you define, being capable of guiding you through a full workout with 'phone in your pocket' mode - just *listen* to the instructions and focus on the workout. No need to see the device screen at all. Ultra Timer supports 20+ languages (most languages supporting the iOS text-to-speech functionality are supported). Intervals, HIIT, Tabata, Circuit...equally easy to set up. Customise each workout separately: Choose if you want to have the interval names and notifications spoken or rather have the timer beep instead. Customise colours as you like, all the way to having each exercise step shown with a different colour. Mix timed and non-timed sections in one workout: Ultra Intervals can also guide you through your gym workout or weight training, timing just the breaks and rest periods acting as your set coach. Play music with your favourite music player. Ultra Intervals 'ducks' the music during spoken notifications and brings the volume back on ones audio cue has ended. ULTRA INTERVALS FEATURES: CREATE AND EDIT WORKOUTS WITH EASE Type your workouts in as text plain text, following just few super simple rules. Since the workouts are defined as text, they can be edited on a Mac or PC and imported from cloud services. SPEAKS EXERCISE NAMES, TIMES AND NOTIFICATIONS. AND IT BEEPS TOO. Speaks exercise names, times and custom notifications as you define (or you can turn speech off altogether). You can customize the notifications as you like. Choose between various 'beep' sounds or turn them off as well. SAMPLE WORKOUTS - USE AS SUCH OR AS TEMPLATES Comes with plenty of example workouts and timers which can be used as such or as templates for new ones. Copying a workout file can be done with one swipe & tap. MULTIPLE SECTIONS IN ONE WORKOUT You can define multiple interval sections in one workout. Again, super easily - see the App Store screenshots to get the idea how simple this is! CLEAR DISPLAYS READABLE FROM AFAR Large animated display of time, current and up-next workout steps. Big text you can truly read from afar. CUSTOM NOTIFICATIONS WITH 'TOKENS' Define custom notification messages spoken during the workout, use 'tokens' in the notifications, for example referring to name of the current or the next exercise, time of the next exercise, time remaining of current exercise, interval round number, heart rate and more. MIX TIMED AND NON-TIMED WORKOUT STEPS Following a simple rule (just add the '&' character in the exercise name!), you can make the timer pause automatically for a 'manual' step in your workout and then with one tap restart for the rest period. RUNS IN THE BACKGROUND You can lock the screen, put the phone in the pocket and do the workout guided by the spoken audio instructions. IMPORT, COPY, EXPORT WORKOUTS Straightforward one-step functionality for importing text files from the cloud, copying files and exporting to cloud, email and more. MUSIC Allows you to listen to music during the workout, lowers the music volume for spoken audio. CUSTOMIZABLE FEATURES (CAN BE SET FOR EACH WORKOUT SEPARATELY) For *example*: Language spoken, silent mode, speech/beeps in use, speech/beeps options, countdown time, HR monitor in use, colors and many many more!

About

Box Timer

This app provides a simple, distraction-free timer designed for intense training sessions like CrossFit, HIIT, and functional fitness. It features a massive, high-contrast display, customizable interval options, and seamless audio cue integration with music apps. All workouts are automatically saved for easy tracking and reuse.

Highlights
  • Massive, high-contrast display
  • Supports AMRAP, EMOM, For Time, Tabata
  • Customizable work/rest intervals and rounds
  • Works with music apps, clear audio cues
  • Automatic workout history and reuse
  • Background operation and screen lock support
  • No ads or sign-up required
Features
Read full description

SIMPLE TIMER BUILT FOR SERIOUS TRAINING Box Timer brings the power of a CrossFit box timer to your phone. Massive display. Zero distractions. Works perfectly whether you're in the gym, at home, or training outdoors. BUILT FOR CROSSFIT, HIIT & FUNCTIONAL FITNESS From crushing WODs to HYROX training and daily circuits — Box Timer handles every workout type with a clean interface that keeps you focused on the work, not the timer. EVERY WORKOUT TYPE COVERED - AMRAP (As Many Rounds As Possible) - EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) - For Time workouts with countdown - Tabata (20/10 protocol) - Custom intervals with work/rest periods and rounds - Count up or count down modes DESIGNED FOR VISIBILITY – Massive timer display with high-contrast text – Landscape mode for maximum size – Readable from 10+ meters away – Perfect for garage gyms and home workouts AUDIO THAT WORKS WITH YOUR MUSIC – Crystal-clear audio cues for round changes – Works seamlessly with Spotify, Apple Music, and any audio app – No interruptions to your playlist – Simple settings for audio on/off SAVE YOUR GO-TO TIMERS – Save any timer as a named preset – Load it again with one tap from the timer screen – Edit or delete presets anytime – Never set up the same workout twice ZERO FRICTION EXPERIENCE – Works in background and with screen locked – No account or sign-up required – No ads – Lightning-fast timer setup – Runs smoothly even during intense workouts GLOBAL FITNESS COMMUNITY Available in English, Swedish, German, Spanish, Polish, French, and Japanese WHY ATHLETES CHOOSE BOX TIMER "This app is a must have for CrossFit workouts. Ideal for emoms, amraps and for time workouts. I even use it for strength work like squats by programming beeps for 45 seconds work and 2 minutes rest. And it’s free! I mean come on." Whether you're an elite athlete or just starting your fitness journey, Box Timer delivers exactly what you need: a powerful, distraction-free timer that stays out of your way. Get it now and experience the difference.

Screenshots

Ultra Intervals Workout Timer4 screens
Box Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Box Timer at 4.9 against Ultra Intervals Workout Timer's 4.5. Box Timer also leads on ratings volume (2.9K vs 4). Ultra Intervals Workout Timer's advantage is update cadence (every 6 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Box Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Box Timer has 2.9K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Ultra Intervals Workout Timer's written reviews are positive against 93% of Box Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ultra Intervals Workout Timer ships an update every 6 days, Box Timer monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 19, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Ultra Intervals Workout Timer versus Box Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUltra Intervals Workout TimerBox Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (4 ratings)4.9 (2.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews88.9% of reviews93.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings42.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTapio KuusistoEdvin Linden

Customer experience

Ultra Intervals Workout Timer

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%

Box Timer

All ratings2,944 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral1.5%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews136 reviews
Positive93.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.6%

Bugs and requests

Ultra Intervals Workout Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Box Timer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Timer not functioning properly in landscape mode
  • Review prompt interfering with timer operation
  • Compatibility issues on certain iPad models

Requested features

4 requests
  • Round count display during rest periods
  • Customizable countdown beeps or sounds
  • Ability to save and load custom timer settings
  • Apple Watch app support

In-app purchases

None

Ultra Intervals Workout Timer

No in-app purchases

None

Box Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Ultra Intervals Workout Timer free?
Ultra Intervals Workout Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Box Timer free?
Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Ultra Intervals Workout Timer or Box Timer?
Box Timer is rated higher. Ultra Intervals Workout Timer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Box Timer averages 4.9 from 2.9K ratings.
Do Ultra Intervals Workout Timer or Box Timer have ads?
Neither Ultra Intervals Workout Timer nor Box Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ultra Intervals Workout Timer or Box Timer?
Ultra Intervals Workout Timer ships an update every 6 days, and Box Timer monthly. Most recently, Ultra Intervals Workout Timer was updated on September 19, 2026 and Box Timer on October 14, 2026.

Other comparisons