Comparison

Box Timer vs Dad Hours

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

Dad Hours

Access online fitness programs designed for parents and busy individuals. Improve strength, endurance, and physique with customizable training options. Start with minimal equipment like dumbbells.

Highlights
  • Online fitness programming
  • For parents and busy people
  • Customizable training options
  • Improve strength and endurance
  • Minimal equipment workouts
Features
Read full description

Train anywhere, anytime with online fitness programming for parents & busy people. Dad Hours offers training options to suit different goals, equipment accessibility and skill levels. Improve your strength, endurance, and physique with a track to suit your needs. Get started with a pair of dumbbells.

Screenshots

Box Timer4 screens
Dad Hours4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Box Timer at 2.9K against Dad Hours's 2. Dad Hours's advantage is iOS requirement (16.2 vs 18). On price, rating, 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. 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 5.0 for Dad Hours. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Box Timer has 2.9K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Box Timer ships an update monthly, Dad Hours every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Box Timer versus Dad Hours: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBox TimerDad Hours
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (2.9K ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.9K — better2
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS1816.2 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEdvin LindenDAD HOURS PTY LTD

Customer experience

Box Timer

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

Dad Hours

All ratings2 ratings
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

Dad Hours

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Box Timer

No in-app purchases

None

Dad Hours

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Box Timer free?
Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dad Hours free?
Dad Hours is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Box Timer or Dad Hours?
Dad Hours is rated higher. Box Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 2.9K ratings, while Dad Hours averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Box Timer or Dad Hours have ads?
Neither Box Timer nor Dad Hours shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Box Timer or Dad Hours?
Box Timer ships an update monthly, and Dad Hours every 5 weeks. Most recently, Box Timer was updated on October 17, 2026 and Dad Hours on October 12, 2026.

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