# Box Timer vs Ardor

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Box Timer at none against Ardor's 12. Box Timer also leads on ratings volume (2.9K vs 52). Ardor's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (16.6 vs 18). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Ardor sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Box Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Box Timer against 4.8 for Ardor. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Box Timer has 2.9K ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of Box Timer's written reviews are positive against 95% of Ardor's.

Box Timer ships an update monthly, Ardor weekly. Both last shipped on October 14, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Box Timer | Ardor |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/box-timer-simple-wod-clock/id1547518531/reviews)** | [4.8 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ardor/id1590030580/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | 52 |
| Positive reviews | 93.4% of reviews | **95.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 7 MB | 82 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18 | **16.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Edvin Linden](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472363182) | [Arduous Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/1590011031) |

## What reviewers say

### Box Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/box-timer-simple-wod-clock/id1547518531)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and straightforward
- 🔒 No ads or subscriptions
- 👍 Intuitive and easy to use
- 👍 Excellent for home workouts
- 👍 Minimalistic and focused design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Issues with UI and timer controls on some devices
- 🐛 Lack of sound options or countdown beeps
- 🐛 Inability to adjust times without resetting the workout

**Reported bugs**

- Timer not functioning properly in landscape mode
- Review prompt interfering with timer operation
- Compatibility issues on certain iPad models

**Requested features**

- Round count display during rest periods
- Customizable countdown beeps or sounds
- Ability to save and load custom timer settings
- Apple Watch app support


### Ardor

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ardor/id1590030580)

This app offers a personalized fitness experience by allowing users to create custom workout programs. It adapts to your abilities, equipment, and schedule, providing over 500 exercises and videos to keep workouts engaging. Track your progress effortlessly as you achieve your fitness goals.

**Highlights:** Mix and match fitness styles, Adjust workout intensity and duration, Automatic workout scaling, Equipment-based programs, Over 500 videos and exercises, Adaptive scheduling, Effortless progress tracking

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All Access | $4.99 | per month |
| All Access | $11.99 | per month |
| All Access | $11.99 | per month |
| All Access | $19.99 | per month |
| All Access | $19.99 | per month |
| All Access | $39.99 | per year |
| All Access | $83.99 | per year |
| All Access | $83.99 | per year |
| All Access | $119.99 | per year |
| All Access | $119.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Box Timer free?

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

### Is Ardor free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Box Timer or Ardor?

Box Timer is rated higher. Box Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Ardor averages 4.8 from 52 ratings.

### Do Box Timer or Ardor have ads?

Neither Box Timer nor Ardor shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Box Timer or Ardor?

Box Timer ships an update monthly, and Ardor weekly. Most recently, Box Timer was updated on October 14, 2026 and Ardor on October 14, 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.*