Comparison

Custom Running Intervals vs HIIT

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

Head to head
About

Custom Running Intervals

Create custom running workouts with flexible intervals based on time or distance. Track progress, build training plans, and analyze past runs with detailed results. Your data is private and stored securely on your device or iCloud.

Highlights
  • Configurable time or distance intervals
  • Repeatable interval blocks
  • Training plan calendar
  • Historical run analysis
  • Apple Watch monitoring
  • iCloud synchronization
  • Data privacy
Features
Read full description

This is a flexible custom interval timer and training scheduler with historical analysis, and you are the only one who has access to your data! As a runner, I’ve had challenges finding a running timer that can manage my more involved interval combinations. Custom Running Intervals allows you to build variable activities with repeatable blocks of intervals. Intervals can be by time or by distance with 3 intensities - walk, steady, and fast. You can repeat your intervals a specific or indefinite number of times, for a defined amount of time, or for a given distance. With an inexpensive upgrade, you can create as many combinations of repeatable sets in the variations you choose, build a training plan on a calendar, see results of past runs, and export results to other apps. Also, your data is only available to you - even I can’t see it. Your data will only exist on your phone, or in your own iCloud storage if you choose. If you save your data to iCloud (by default), you can view the results on any other iPhone or iPad that shares the same iCloud account. Features: 1. Configurable intervals - distance (miles, kilometers), time (hours, minutes, seconds). 2. Configurable repeat blocks of intervals - # of times (or until stopped), distance, time. 3. Clone activities (use an existing activity - repeats and intervals - as a basis to create a similar activity). 4. Apple Watch monitoring and control and heart rate (iPhone app must be started). 5. Configurable settings. 6. Audio cues by voice, tone, or both (in Settings). 7. Pause, Resume, or Stop an activity, Skip repeat blocks. 8. View current elapsed time, distance, interval progress, overall pace. 9. End an in-progress repeat block (and proceed to the next). 10. Results by interval and repeat block, as well as default distance unit (each mile or kilometer). 11. Results (including steps, time, distance, and pace) available immediately after run. 12. Map view to verify GPS location prior to starting run. 13. Map view of running route in results including markers by mile/kilometer and pauses. 14. Helpful on-screen guide when creating first activity and configuring. 15. Activities and results stored in iCloud for synchronization across devices and data loss prevention. Apple Watch If you have an Apple Watch, you can also start, pause, and stop an activity in progress from the watch. NOTE: the Apple Watch app (included with your iPhone download) communicates with the iPhone app, so the app must be started on both the watch and phone to use the watch app. Apple Watch Features: 1. View existing activity configurations. 2. Start an activity (if iPhone app is started). 3. Pause, Resume, or Stop an activity. 4. View current elapsed time, distance, interval progress, overall pace. 5. End an in-progress repeat block (and proceed to the next). Available Full Features (In App Purchase) 1. Configure an activity with multiple repeat blocks for more complex intervals (standard version allows one repeat block) 2. Add planned training runs on a Training Calendar for a selected custom interval (free version allows up to 5). 3. View and filter a graph of your pace over time for activities (free version allows up to 5 past runs). 4. View the results of your runs on the Training Calendar including a map of the route. weather conditions, elevation, pace, and heart rate. 5. Create repeatable training plans to easily add planned runs to the Training Calendar. 6. Sort your past results by date, total time of run, distance, and pack. 7. Export your results (current or history) in GPX format for importing to other trackers. 8. Fix GPS for anomalies. 9. Import results in GPX format from any tracker app. 10. Track miles run on your pairs of shoes. 11. Manually enter results for a run if you forget to track. 12. Manually edit the time and distance for a run. 13. Share a run with photo to social media and other apps. 14. Track a run on a cruise ship.

About

HIIT

Design and track custom interval running workouts with real-time data and audio cues. This app offers detailed post-run analysis and integrates with Apple Health and Apple Watch for phone-free training.

Highlights
  • Customizable intervals (time, distance, open)
  • Support for HIIT, tempo, fartlek, pyramid, progression workouts
  • Real-time tracking of pace, cadence, heart rate
  • Audio cues for guidance
  • Phone-free Apple Watch operation
  • Post-run analysis and GPX export
  • Apple Health integration
Features
Read full description

Tired of tapping through menus before a run? Interval Running is a simple HIIT, tabata, and interval timer - say what you want, it builds the intervals, you run. Just tell it what you want. Say something like "eight rounds, 30 seconds fast, 30 seconds easy" and the timer builds your program right then - no forms, no menus, no fields to fill in before you can start running. Prefer to build it yourself? You can: - Set work and rest by time, distance, or leave it open - Choose HIIT, tabata, fartlek, tempo, or plain run/walk intervals - Save a routine once, reuse it whenever you want Everything you need is on the screen while you run, no extra taps. - Interval, pace, cadence, and heart rate at a glance - Audio cues tell you when to switch, no need to look down - Full Apple Watch support - leave your phone at home You don't want a training plan, a coach, or a program - you want a timer that starts and stops intervals exactly when you tell it to. You want to set up a workout on the way to the track without stopping to tap through screens. You do tabata or HIIT sessions and just need something that counts rounds. You run intervals on your own terms and don't want an app deciding your pace for you. After each run, see your intervals, pace, and heart rate. Export GPX files, sync with Apple Health, and connect an external heart rate monitor if you use one. Health app integration With your permission, your interval runs count toward Activity Rings, including the Exercise and Move rings. Say it. Start it. Run. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Custom Running Intervals4 screens
HIIT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: HIIT at 57% against Custom Running Intervals's 0%. HIIT also leads on rating (4.3 vs 2.0) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Custom Running Intervals sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and HIIT sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HIIT holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: HIIT has 34 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Custom Running Intervals's written reviews are positive against 57% of HIIT's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Custom Running Intervals ships an update every 3 months, HIIT every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Custom Running Intervals versus HIIT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCustom Running IntervalsHIIT
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings)4.3 (34 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews57.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings134 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB83 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn MalloneeMaxim Kazakov

Customer experience

Custom Running Intervals

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

HIIT

All ratings34 ratings
Positive82.4%
Neutral2.9%
Negative14.7%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Custom Running Intervals

One-time1
  • Full Capabilities$0.99
8 purchases

HIIT

Subscriptions7
  • Premium Monthly Day 2$0.991 Month
  • Premium Weekly7 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly Day 1$4.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Premium Monthly7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Premium 3 Months$19.993 Months
  • Premium Annual Special Offer7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Interval Run Premium Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Intreval Run Premium Lifetime$39.99

Questions

Is Custom Running Intervals free?
Custom Running Intervals is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HIIT free?
HIIT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Custom Running Intervals or HIIT?
HIIT is rated higher. Custom Running Intervals averages 2.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while HIIT averages 4.3 from 34 ratings.
Do Custom Running Intervals or HIIT have ads?
Neither Custom Running Intervals nor HIIT shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Custom Running Intervals or HIIT?
Custom Running Intervals ships an update every 3 months, and HIIT every 2 weeks. Most recently, Custom Running Intervals was updated on October 9, 2026 and HIIT on October 6, 2026.

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