Comparison

Box Timer vs TimerNinja

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

Head to head
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.

About

TimerNinja

Track time for workouts and productivity with versatile timer options. Supports Apple Watch integration, Apple Health recording, and SharePlay for synchronized challenges with friends. Offers customizable themes and multiple timer types.

Highlights
  • Multiple timer types (Stopwatch, Countdown, Intervals, EMOM, Pomodoro)
  • Apple Watch standalone app and remote control
  • Record workouts to Apple Health
  • SharePlay for synchronized workouts with friends
  • Customizable dark and light themes
  • Standalone Apple Watch app
Features
Read full description

TimerNinja is the simple, flexible interval timer for workouts, training sessions, and any other timed activity — on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. TIMERS FOR EVERY ACTIVITY • Stopwatch — count up, with an optional time cap • Timer — a simple countdown • Intervals — work/rest rounds • Multi-interval — chain interval groups together • EMOM — Every Minute On the Minute • Tabata — 20 seconds on, 10 seconds off • Pomodoro — focus and break cycles (Plus) • Custom — build anything with nested, repeating intervals (Plus) YOUR TIMER, EVERYWHERE • Live Activities keep your timer on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island • Start your favorite timers from Home Screen and Lock Screen widgets • Control Center controls let you start, pause, and resume without opening the app • Siri & Shortcuts: start any saved timer by voice, automate your routine, or put it on the Action Button on Apple Watch Ultra • Your saved timers show up in Spotlight search BUILT FOR APPLE WATCH • Run timers standalone on your watch, or use it as a remote control for the timer on your iPhone • Record workouts to Apple Health with heart rate and calories — just pick an activity type when you start • Watch-face complications and Smart Stack support put your timers one tap away ALWAYS IN SYNC • Saved timers sync automatically across your devices with iCloud • SharePlay keeps timers perfectly in sync with friends anywhere in the world — challenge them to a workout • Share any timer as a link; anyone can open it instantly, even without the app SOUNDS THAT CUT THROUGH • Clear countdown beeps, interval cues, and finish sounds • Spoken announcements that call out each interval by name (Plus) • Extra sound packs — Airhorn, Ruan, Taiko, and more (Plus) MADE TO BE GLANCED AT • A distraction-free full-screen timer you can read from across the gym • Beautiful light and dark themes for both the app and the timer screen • Localized into 11 languages TimerNinja is free to use. TimerNinja Plus unlocks the Pomodoro and Custom timer types, spoken announcements, and extra sound packs. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.timerninja.com/privacy

Screenshots

Box Timer4 screens
TimerNinja4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Box Timer at 4.9 against TimerNinja's 4.4. Box Timer also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (2.9K vs 8). TimerNinja's advantage is device support (6 vs 2). On price, update cadence and ads 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. TimerNinja sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Box Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Box Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Box Timer has 2.9K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 93% of Box Timer's written reviews are positive against 83% of TimerNinja's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Box Timer ships an update monthly, TimerNinja every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Box Timer versus TimerNinja: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBox TimerTimerNinja
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (2.9K ratings) — better4.4 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews — better83.3% of reviews
Number of ratings2.9K — better8
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS18 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB11 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEdvin LindenHeftii, Inc.

Customer experience

Box Timer

All ratings2,944 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral1.5%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews136 reviews
Positive93.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.6%

TimerNinja

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

Bugs and 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

TimerNinja

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Box Timer

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

TimerNinja

Subscriptions4
  • TimerNinja+ Monthly7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • TimerNinja+ Family Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • TimerNinja+ Yearly7 Days trial$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • TimerNinja+ Family Yearly7 Days trial$14.991 Year

Questions

Is Box Timer free?
Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is TimerNinja free?
TimerNinja is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Box Timer or TimerNinja?
Box Timer is rated higher. Box Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while TimerNinja averages 4.4 from 8 ratings.
Do Box Timer or TimerNinja have ads?
Neither Box Timer nor TimerNinja shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Box Timer or TimerNinja?
Box Timer ships an update monthly, and TimerNinja every 3 weeks. Most recently, Box Timer was updated on October 17, 2026 and TimerNinja on October 6, 2026.

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