Comparison

Box Timer vs Hi Timer

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

Hi Timer

Create and customize your own interval workouts with this intuitive timer app. Features include quick start templates, advanced customization, voice cues, and background operation. Seamlessly integrate with your music and save workouts to Apple Health.

Highlights
  • Customizable interval workouts
  • Quick start templates (Tabata)
  • Drag & drop interface
  • Voice and sound cues
  • Background operation
  • Music integration
  • HealthKit integration
Features
Read full description

Hi Timer, Your Personal Interval Training Companion Hi Timer makes it effortless to create and customise your own interval workouts. Whether you’re jumping into a quick Tabata session or building advanced routines like Circuits and Combinations, Hi Timer gives you the tools to stay on track and motivated. Hi Timer is designed to be simple enough for quick sessions, yet powerful enough to handle the most complex training routines. With its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, powerful customization options, and seamless background performance, Hi Timer helps you focus on your workout, not your phone. Featuring: - Quick Start Templates – Get moving right away with popular HIIT formats like Tabata. - Advanced Customisation – Build Circuits, Combinations, or fully custom routines with unlimited flexibility. - Drag & Drop Simplicity – Reorder intervals and sub-timers with ease. - Voice & Sound Cues – Interval names read aloud via text-to-speech, so you never need to glance at your screen. - Works in the Background – Keep your timer running with the screen locked or while using other apps. - Music Integration – Play your own tracks from Apple Music, your library, or other apps alongside your workout. - Smart Sounds – Choose start sounds, halfway alerts, and custom audio cues for every interval. - Cloud Sync & Sharing – Access your timers across devices or share them instantly with friends via a simple link. - HealthKit Integration – Save your completed workouts to Apple Health. This app is for timing only and does not provide medical or fitness advice. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before beginning any exercise program. This app contains optional in-app purchases that grant full access to unlimited timers and workouts, and the ability to share timers between devices. You may be offered a free trial for the Premium subscription. After the free trial period, if offered, the subscription automatically renews with the price and duration given above unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. Removing the app doesn’t automatically cancel the subscription. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Box Timer4 screens
Hi Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Box Timer at none against Hi Timer's 3. Box Timer also leads on ratings volume (2.9K vs 1). Hi Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18). On price, rating, review sentiment 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. Hi Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Box Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Box Timer against 5.0 for Hi Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Box Timer has 2.9K ratings behind it against 1, 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 100% of Hi Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Box Timer ships an update monthly, Hi Timer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Box Timer versus Hi Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBox TimerHi Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (2.9K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.9K — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS1815.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB17 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperEdvin LindenSophie Payne

Customer experience

Box Timer

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

Hi Timer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Hi Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Box Timer

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Hi Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Hi Timer Premium Monthly$0.991 Month
  • Hi Timer Premium Yearly7 Days trial$3.991 Year
One-time1
  • HiTimer Forever$6.99

Questions

Is Box Timer free?
Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hi Timer free?
Hi Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Box Timer or Hi Timer?
Hi Timer is rated higher. Box Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Hi Timer averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Box Timer or Hi Timer have ads?
Neither Box Timer nor Hi Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Box Timer or Hi Timer?
Box Timer ships an update monthly, and Hi Timer every 3 weeks. Most recently, Box Timer was updated on October 14, 2026 and Hi Timer on October 3, 2026.

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