Comparison

Box Timer vs Busy Dad 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

Busy Dad Training

This app helps users follow a structured training program with features for scheduling workouts, logging sessions, and tracking progress. It offers expert recommendations, embedded tutorials, and a community forum for support and motivation.

Highlights
  • Weekly workout scheduling
  • Session logging and data tracking
  • Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) input
  • Expert workout recommendations
  • Interval timer
  • Community forum
  • Embedded form tutorials
Features
Read full description

The Busy Dad app gives you everything you need to succeed on the Busy Dad Program. Max Edwards' burpee-based training system for people who want serious results without living in a gym. AI-POWERED REP COUNTING Prop up your phone, get in frame, and train. The app's camera-based Auto Tracking counts your burpees in real time using on-device AI, no wearable needed, and nothing is recorded or uploaded. Just you, your phone, and an honest rep count. TRAIN WITH YOUR WATCH Pair your Apple or Garmin watch and see live reps, heart rate and calories on your wrist. Start, pause and save workouts from the watch. Everything syncs with your phone automatically. LEVEL UP Work your way through the program's levels, from your first 6-count burpee to Graduation. Hit a new level and Max himself congratulates you with a video on your home screen. SMART PROGRAMMING Every session comes with a personalised rep target, calculated by an algorithm built on thousands of real Busy Dad workouts. It reads your recent form, pushing you when you're climbing, holding steady through a plateau, easing you back in after a break, and forecasts your progress over the coming weeks so you can see exactly where you're headed. INTERVAL TIMER, BUILT FOR BURPEES Program your session with built-in or custom timers, audio cues, and a voice that counts your reps out loud. With Auto Tracking on, it announces every rep the camera sees. FOLLOW-ALONG WORKOUTS & TUTORIALS Train alongside follow-along videos, and use the embedded tutorials whenever you need a form check or a refresher on the fundamentals. STRAVA Connect Strava and your finished workouts post automatically along with your reps, duration, comment and RPE included. THE BUSY DAD ARMY Every user is on the community page: troubleshoot, encourage, commiserate, connect. Climb the leaderboards, share your milestones, and pool knowledge with practitioners at every level. PLAN IT, THEN DO IT Schedule your weekly workouts, set goals, and enable reminders so you never lose the thread. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or a curious newcomer, the Busy Dad app takes your training to the next level. Subscription includes: - Unlimited workouts and data tracking - AI rep counting with Auto Tracking - Personalised rep targets and progress forecasts - Apple and Garmin watch support - Weekly Planner and Goals - Built-in and custom interval timers - Access to all follow-along videos and tutorials - Strava integration - The Busy Dad Community and leaderboards By using this app you agree to the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Box Timer4 screens
Busy Dad Training4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Box Timer at none against Busy Dad Training's 2. Box Timer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (3K vs 73). Busy Dad Training's advantage is iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18). On price, rating, update cadence and device support 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. Busy Dad Training sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 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 4.8 for Busy Dad Training. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Box Timer has 3K ratings behind it against 73, 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 84% of Busy Dad Training's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Box Timer ships an update monthly, Busy Dad Training every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Box Timer versus Busy Dad Training: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBox TimerBusy Dad Training
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (3K ratings) — better4.8 (73 ratings)
Positive reviews93.5% of reviews — better84.2% of reviews
Number of ratings3K — better73
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS1816.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB110 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEdvin LindenANDRE BRINK

Customer experience

Box Timer

All ratings2,988 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral1.5%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews138 reviews
Positive93.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.5%

Busy Dad Training

All ratings67 ratings
Positive95.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.5%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive84.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.8%

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

Busy Dad Training

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Box Timer

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Busy Dad Training

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Plan7 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is Box Timer free?
Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Busy Dad Training free?
Busy Dad Training is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Box Timer or Busy Dad Training?
Box Timer is rated higher. Box Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 3K ratings, while Busy Dad Training averages 4.8 from 73 ratings.
Do Box Timer or Busy Dad Training have ads?
Busy Dad Training shows ads; Box Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Box Timer or Busy Dad Training?
Box Timer ships an update monthly, and Busy Dad Training every 3 weeks. Most recently, Box Timer was updated on October 27, 2026 and Busy Dad Training on October 28, 2026.

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