Comparison

CrossTimer 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

CrossTimer

This minimalist workout timer is designed for interval training, including CrossFit and HIIT. It supports various workout formats like AMRAP and EMOM, with optional voice cues and background operation. Enjoy a seamless experience with no ads or in-app purchases.

Highlights
  • AMRAP, EMOM, TABATA & FOR TIME workout timing
  • No ads or in-app purchases
  • Round counting feature
  • Motivational voice cues
  • Background operation
Features
Read full description

CrossTimer is a minimalist workout timer without ads or in-app purchases. The app is perfect for timing any type of workout, but we designed it specifically for CrossFit, HIIT and interval training. • Time AMRAP, EMOM, TABATA & FOR TIME workouts / WODs • No ads or in-app purchases – buy once, for life • Ability to count rounds during workouts • Support for motivational voice cues • Runs in the background

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

CrossTimer4 screens
Box Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Box Timer at Free against CrossTimer's $2.99. Box Timer also leads on ratings volume (2.9K vs 121). CrossTimer's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs monthly) and chart position (#197 vs unranked). On rating, 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

Box Timer is free to download; CrossTimer costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for CrossTimer against 4.9 for Box Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Box Timer has 2.9K ratings behind it against 121, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of CrossTimer's written reviews are positive against 93% of Box Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CrossTimer ships an update every 2 weeks, Box Timer monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
CrossTimer versus Box Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCrossTimerBox Timer
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (121 ratings)4.9 (2.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better93.4% of reviews
Number of ratings1212.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#197 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTenect Sweden ABEdvin Linden

Customer experience

CrossTimer

All ratings121 ratings
Positive95.9%
Neutral0.8%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
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

CrossTimer

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

CrossTimer

No in-app purchases

None

Box Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is CrossTimer free?
CrossTimer costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Box Timer free?
Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, CrossTimer or Box Timer?
Box Timer is rated higher. CrossTimer averages 4.8 out of 5 from 121 ratings, while Box Timer averages 4.9 from 2.9K ratings.
Do CrossTimer or Box Timer have ads?
Neither CrossTimer nor Box Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CrossTimer or Box Timer?
CrossTimer ships an update every 2 weeks, and Box Timer monthly. Most recently, CrossTimer was updated on October 8, 2026 and Box Timer on October 11, 2026.

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