Comparison

Box Timer vs HWPO Training

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

HWPO Training

Access a variety of fitness programs designed for different lifestyles and goals, inspired by a 5x CrossFit Games Champion. Track progress, view coaching videos, and engage with a supportive community. Programs cater to all skill levels, from quick gym sessions to elite competition training.

Highlights
  • Variety of fitness programs
  • Personalized progress tracking
  • Real-time leaderboard
  • Coaching videos by Mat Fraser
  • Exercise demos
  • Members-only support platform
  • Community engagement
Features
Read full description

HWPO Training encompasses fitness programs created for a community of HARD WORKERS, inspired by 5x CrossFit Games Champion, Mat Fraser’s motto “Hard Work Pays Off”. The HWPO Training app offers a variety of programs to suit different lifestyles, goals, equipment accessibility, and skill levels. Whether you need to be in and out of the gym in 45 minutes or you’re training to be an elite-level competitor, HWPO Training has a workout program for you. Athletes can track their progress using personalized sessions based on individual performance metrics and celebrate their achievements on the real-time leaderboard. The app also provides coaching videos by Mat Fraser himself, as well as our team of world-class expert coaches, guiding members through every training session and providing demos of each exercise. Our HARD WORKERS also gain access to our members-only support platform, where they can ask questions, receive feedback, watch exclusive content and engage with others in the community around the world. No matter how or where you move, all we ask is that you live out our core values in and out of the gym: SHOW UP. Do today what others won’t so tomorrow you can do what others can’t. WORK HARD. Define success for yourself and be relentless in your pursuit of it; it’s about the process. MAKE YOURSELF PROUD. Do things with intention and set an example of HARD WORK for those around you.

Screenshots

Box Timer4 screens
HWPO Training4 screens

Verdict

The call

Box Timer and HWPO Training both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 93% of Box Timer's written reviews are positive against 80% of HWPO Training's. HWPO Training's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Box Timer against 4.9 for HWPO Training. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.9K and 3.2K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 93% of Box Timer's written reviews are positive against 80% of HWPO Training's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Box Timer versus HWPO Training: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBox TimerHWPO Training
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (2.9K ratings)4.9 (3.2K ratings)
Positive reviews93.2% of reviews — better79.7% of reviews
Number of ratings2.9K3.2K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS1815.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB122 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEdvin LindenHWPO

Customer experience

Box Timer

All ratings2,916 ratings
Positive96.9%
Neutral1.5%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews132 reviews
Positive93.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.8%

HWPO Training

All ratings3,249 ratings
Positive97.1%
Neutral1.0%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews172 reviews
Positive79.7%
Neutral3.5%
Negative16.9%

User reviews

Box Timer

From 2.9K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

HWPO Training

From 3.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great workouts
  • 👍 Excellent app and program
  • 💡 Copy/paste option
  • 👍 Intuitive to use
  • 👍 Detailed tracking and programming

Room to improve

  • 🐛 No in-app timer
  • 🐛 Inability to adjust weights/reps
  • 🐛 No progression metrics
  • 🐛 Inconvenient to check off GOWOD tasks
  • 🐛 Calendar requirement is awful

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

HWPO Training

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Sound issues with videos
  • Workouts not loaded on time
  • Incompatibility with older devices

Requested features

6 requests
  • In-app timer for AMRAP and interval workouts
  • Ability to adjust prescribed weights/reps
  • Progression tracking for lifts and other metrics
  • Ability to move between workout days without calendar
  • Alternate workout options for missing equipment
Show 1 more
  • Gymnastics progression videos and techniques

In-app purchases

None

Box Timer

No in-app purchases

None

HWPO Training

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Box Timer free?
Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HWPO Training free?
HWPO Training is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Box Timer or HWPO Training?
Box Timer and HWPO Training are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2.9K and 3.2K ratings respectively.
Do Box Timer or HWPO Training have ads?
Neither Box Timer nor HWPO Training shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Box Timer or HWPO Training?
Box Timer ships an update monthly, and HWPO Training monthly. Most recently, Box Timer was updated on September 24, 2026 and HWPO Training on September 23, 2026.

Other comparisons