# Box Timer vs Penance

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Box Timer at 2.9K against Penance's 1. Box Timer also leads on iOS requirement (18 vs 26.2). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Box Timer against 5.0 for Penance. 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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Box Timer | Penance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (2.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/box-timer-simple-wod-clock/id1547518531/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penance-practice/id6757280468/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **2.9K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 93.5% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | — |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 7 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **18** | 26.2 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Edvin Linden](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472363182) | [Kenneth Howe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1865761971) |

## 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


### Penance

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/penance-practice/id6757280468)

This app offers a mindful approach to managing dietary indulgences. Instead of strict tracking, it encourages acknowledging over-budget calories with a small activity and reflection, promoting presence over performance.

**Highlights:** Personalized daily calorie budget, Real-time balance meter, Smart indulgence detection, Tailored exercise suggestions, Reflection tags for pattern tracking, Optional HealthKit integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Box Timer free?

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

### Is Penance free?

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

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

Penance is rated higher. Box Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Penance averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Box Timer or Penance have ads?

Neither Box Timer nor Penance shows ads.

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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.*