Comparison

Custom Running Intervals vs Running Interval Timer 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

Running Interval Timer HIIT

Features
Read full description

Push Your Limits with Running Interval Timer – Your Personal HIIT Coach Running Interval Timer is the ultimate tool for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), sprint sessions, and custom running workouts. Designed for runners of all levels, it keeps you on pace with clear voice and beep cues that work even with the screen locked—so you can focus on your run, not your watch. Free Features Customizable intervals: Set warm-up, sprint, recovery, rounds, and cool-down. Voice & beep alerts: Spoken prompts and multiple beep styles during each phase. Runs with screen locked: Keep getting cues while the display is off. Presets & history: Save favorite workouts and view recent session history. Review & progress basics: See completed sessions, rounds, and total time. Offline ready: Train anytime—no internet required. Ads: The free version is unlimited to use and supported by advertising. Pro Features (paid: subscription or one-time purchase) Analytics dashboard: Unlock detailed charts and trends to analyze your training over time (e.g., total work vs. recovery, session durations, weekly summaries). Advanced insights: Deeper breakdowns to help fine-tune intensity and progression. Note: All core timer features are free. The Analytics screen requires a purchase (either a subscription or a lifetime one-time unlock). Perfect for Runners, sprinters, and joggers HIIT, Tabata, and circuit training Sports conditioning and cardio workouts Pricing & Terms Some features require a purchase (subscription or lifetime unlock). Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel your subscription in Settings › Apple ID › Subscriptions. Privacy Policy: https://owlspeak.web.app/privacy Terms of Use: https://owlspeak.web.app/terms

Screenshots

Custom Running Intervals4 screens
Running Interval Timer HIIT4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Custom Running Intervals at none against Running Interval Timer HIIT's shown. Running Interval Timer HIIT's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, 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. Custom Running Intervals sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Running Interval Timer HIIT sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Custom Running Intervals ships an update every 3 months, Running Interval Timer HIIT every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Custom Running Intervals versus Running Interval Timer HIIT: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCustom Running IntervalsRunning Interval Timer HIIT
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn MalloneeAli Umer

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Custom Running Intervals

One-time1
  • Full Capabilities$0.99
6 purchases

Running Interval Timer HIIT

Subscriptions5
  • Running Timer$5.991 Month
  • Running Interval3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Running Timer$12.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • Running Timer$19.996 Months
  • Running Interval$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Running Timer$34.99

Questions

Is Custom Running Intervals free?
Custom Running Intervals is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Running Interval Timer HIIT free?
Running Interval Timer HIIT is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Custom Running Intervals or Running Interval Timer HIIT have ads?
Running Interval Timer HIIT shows ads; Custom Running Intervals does not.
Which is updated more often, Custom Running Intervals or Running Interval Timer HIIT?
Custom Running Intervals ships an update every 3 months, and Running Interval Timer HIIT every 4 months. Most recently, Custom Running Intervals was updated on October 9, 2026 and Running Interval Timer HIIT on October 8, 2026.

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