# Loop vs StartWatch

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StartWatch at none against Loop's 3. StartWatch also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 63%) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). Loop's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Loop sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. StartWatch asks for nothing beyond the download.

StartWatch holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 67 and 49 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of Loop's written reviews are positive against 86% of StartWatch's.

Loop ships an update every 10 days, StartWatch every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Loop | StartWatch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (67 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loop-interval-and-multi-timer/id1537384788/reviews) | **[4.7 (49 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startwatch-instant-timers/id1537732824/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **67** | 49 |
| Positive reviews | 62.5% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 82 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Leon Boettger](https://appshunter.io/developer/1537384790) | [Apostol & Hall](https://appshunter.io/developer/320592318) |

## What reviewers say

### Loop

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/loop-interval-and-multi-timer/id1537384788)

Easily create and manage multiple timers for various activities like sports, meditation, and study. Set interval timers, save presets, and import custom sounds. The app offers automatic resets, Apple Watch integration, and iCloud sync for a seamless experience.

**Highlights:** Multiple timer types (interval, Tabata), Natural text input for quick timers, Automatic timer reset and alarm options, Customizable presets with icons and colors, Import custom start, finish, and interval sounds, Background meditation sounds, iCloud sync across devices

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Loop+ Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| Loop+ Yearly | $3.99 | per year |
| Upgrade to Loop+ | $4.99 | one-time |


### StartWatch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startwatch-instant-timers/id1537732824)

This app allows you to start a stopwatch instantly and then convert it into a timer. You can run multiple timers and stopwatches simultaneously, with options to customize display and track past events. It offers advanced features like markers and live activities for efficient time management.

**Highlights:** Instant stopwatch start, Convert stopwatch to timer, Run multiple timers/stopwatches, Customize display units, History and undo functionality, Markers for elapsed time, Live Activities with Dynamic Island

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Loop free?

Loop is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is StartWatch free?

StartWatch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Loop or StartWatch?

StartWatch is rated higher. Loop averages 4.5 out of 5 from 67 ratings, while StartWatch averages 4.7 from 49 ratings.

### Do Loop or StartWatch have ads?

Neither Loop nor StartWatch shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Loop or StartWatch?

Loop ships an update every 10 days, and StartWatch every 6 days. Most recently, Loop was updated on October 15, 2026 and StartWatch on October 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*