Comparison

Interval Timer vs Chain Timers

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

Head to head
About

Interval Timer

This versatile timer app allows users to create custom sequences for various activities, from breathwork and workouts to focus sessions and cooking. It offers AI-powered voice guidance, iCloud synchronization across Apple devices, and a minimalist black-and-white interface.

Highlights
  • Customizable timer chains
  • Breathwork flow builder
  • Intermittent fasting timers
  • Workout routine creator
  • Focus and Pomodoro timers
  • AI voice guidance
  • iCloud sync across devices
Features
Read full description

"This isn't just another timer app. This is your favorite timer app's favorite timer app" - Cody Lee, iDownloadBlog. "What I like most about TimeWave, though, is its clean, black-and-white design" - John Voorhees, MacStories. "Liquid Glass really comes to life on its widgets" - Michael Burkhardt, 9to5Mac. "Best iPhone Apps of July, 2021" - Beau Hamilton, Slashdot. WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH TIMEWAVE? TimeWave allows you to combine your breathwork app, your workout app, your focus timer, cooking timer and much more into one single app. You can use TimeWave for: • Breathwork — build custom breathing flows like 4-7-8 Breathing to lower blood pressure, Physiological Sigh to reduce stress and anxiety, Wim Hof Breathing to increase alertness, Box Breathing to relax and much more. • Intermittent Fasting — Create your own intermittent fasting using various splits like 16:8, 12:12, 5:2, etc. You can create timer-splits for each day or for the entire week. • Workout Routines — create your own workouts by chaining excercise and break durations. You can make Tabata/HIIT workouts or even yoga routines. • 20-20-20 Rule — create a timewave to follow the 20-20-20 rule (Every 20 minutes look at something 20 ft away for 20 seconds) while working with screens to prevent eye-strain. • Focus Timers — create pomodoro timers or any kind of work-break timewaves. You are not restricted to 25 minute session, you can create any sequence that suits your preferences. • Cooking — ever had to keep resetting your timers after each whistle? well, now you wont have to. Just create a timewave for each recipe. • Everything — anything else that involves timed sequential tasks. SPECIAL FEATURES: • TimeWave A.I — TimeWave will tell you what has to be done for how long while the Calibre is running. For eg: "Breathe In For 4 Seconds" so you don't have to look at the screen. • iCloud Sync — Available on Mac, iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch and keeps everything up-to to date on all your devices with iCloud Sync. • Black & White UI — B&W is a lot of colours. If you are anything like us, you'll love our ironically modern black and white UI. MORE: • Personal touch — a hand-crafted Indie app. If you have any questions or feedback, you can reach out to us at timewave.team@gmail.com Privacy Policy: https://timewaveapp.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://timewaveapp.com/terms

About

Chain Timers

Connect multiple countdown timers to run in sequence. Configure automatic transitions between timers or choose to pause. Share your timer sequences easily across devices.

Highlights
  • Chain up to 25 timers
  • Automatic or manual timer transitions
  • Share timer lists
  • Cross-device list sharing
  • Save timer histories
Features
Read full description

Chain your timers. Take control of your time. Chain Timer is a simple and useful app that lets you connect and run multiple countdown timers in a row. Key Features: * Connect up to 25 timers in one sequence * Choose whether to pause or move to the next timer automatically after each one ends * Easily share timer lists (QR codes can also be used for simple lists) * Share lists between iPhone, iPad, and Mac * Save up to 4 timer list histories (5 including the one you're currently using) Perfect for: * Structuring self-study sessions * Setting timers to match recipe steps * Keeping meetings and workshops on track * Creating and following your personal health routines Note: This app does not support sub-second timers. It is not intended for use in competitive sports or situations requiring precise time measurement.

Screenshots

Interval Timer4 screens
Chain Timers4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Interval Timer at 4.6 against Chain Timers's 4.0. Interval Timer also leads on ratings volume (25 vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Chain Timers's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (100% vs 86%). On price, ads 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. Interval Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Chain Timers asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Interval Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Interval Timer has 25 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 86% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Chain Timers's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, Chain Timers every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Interval Timer versus Chain Timers: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval TimerChain Timers
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (25 ratings) — better4.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings25 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac
Requires iOS26.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB53 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMuhammed Sahil ArayakandyMasayuki Nomura

Customer experience

Interval Timer

All ratings25 ratings
Positive92.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

Chain Timers

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Interval Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Premium$4.991 Month
  • Yearly Premium7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$49.99
None

Chain Timers

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Interval Timer free?
Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chain Timers free?
Chain Timers is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Interval Timer or Chain Timers?
Interval Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.6 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Chain Timers averages 4.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Interval Timer or Chain Timers have ads?
Neither Interval Timer nor Chain Timers shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Chain Timers?
Interval Timer ships an update every 3 weeks, and Chain Timers every 6 weeks. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on October 9, 2026 and Chain Timers on September 23, 2026.

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