Comparison

Box Timer vs Pulse Link

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

Pulse Link

Features
Read full description

Share your live heart rate with compatible Bluetooth fitness equipment and training apps. Pulse Link takes readings from Apple Watch, or compatible AirPods with heart-rate sensing, and uses your iPhone to broadcast as a standard Bluetooth heart-rate monitor. CHOOSE YOUR HEART-RATE SOURCE Start a workout on Apple Watch, or start an iPhone workout using compatible AirPods on iOS 26 or later. Follow an iPhone workout from Apple Watch and take over with Watch sensors when needed. CONNECT BEFORE YOU START Use Broadcast Warmup to let your equipment connect before your workout begins. A manually started warmup stays available after the workout until you stop it. The iPhone handles Bluetooth broadcasting to compatible receivers. FOLLOW YOUR WORKOUT AT A GLANCE See live heart rate, elapsed time, training zone and connection status. Live Activities bring workout progress to the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island on supported iPhones. Clear signal indicators let you know when fresh heart-rate readings are unavailable. PERSONALISE YOUR TRAINING ZONES Choose Karvonen zones based on maximum and resting heart rate, or Simple zones based on age. Use Apple Health profile values or enter values manually. Zone boundaries stay consistent throughout each workout, and optional Apple Watch haptics alert you when you enter Zone 5. REVIEW YOUR EFFORT Track indoor and outdoor cycling, indoor and outdoor running, rowing, cooldowns and other workouts. Review duration, average and maximum heart rate, active energy and time in each zone, where data is available. CONTROL YOUR APPLE HEALTH SAVING Save workouts automatically, or turn automatic saving off to choose Keep in Apple Health or Delete Workout after each session. With automatic saving off, completed workouts are temporarily saved in Apple Health so your choice can survive an app restart. LOCAL CONNECTIONS No account, advertising or analytics. Pulse Link relays heart rate locally between your devices and connected Bluetooth receivers. Preferences and workout recovery information are stored on your devices. No internet connection is needed for live heart-rate broadcasting. REQUIREMENTS Apple Watch workouts require a paired iPhone running iOS 17.6 or later and Apple Watch running watchOS 10.6 or later. AirPods workouts require iOS 26 or later and compatible AirPods with heart-rate sensing; other AirPods do not provide this feature. Receiving equipment or apps must support the standard Bluetooth Heart Rate Service. Your iPhone is required for broadcasting with either source.

Screenshots

Box Timer4 screens
Pulse Link4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Box Timer at Free against Pulse Link's $3.99. Box Timer also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

Box Timer is free to download; Pulse Link costs $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Box Timer ships an update monthly, Pulse Link every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Box Timer versus Pulse Link: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBox TimerPulse Link
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.9 (2.9K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings2.9K — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS1817.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEdvin LindenHumble Mars LTD

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

Pulse Link

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Box Timer

No in-app purchases

None

Pulse Link

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Box Timer free?
Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pulse Link free?
Pulse Link costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Box Timer or Pulse Link have ads?
Neither Box Timer nor Pulse Link shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Box Timer or Pulse Link?
Box Timer ships an update monthly, and Pulse Link every 5 months. Most recently, Box Timer was updated on October 20, 2026 and Pulse Link on October 9, 2026.

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