Comparison

Box Timer vs Cross 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

Cross Timer

This interval timer app is designed for various fitness training styles like CrossFit, HIIT, and Hyrox. It offers customizable timers for EMOM, Tabata, and AMRAP workouts, along with a workout journal and history to track progress.

Highlights
  • EMOM, Tabata, and AMRAP timers
  • Custom workout builder
  • Workout history and journal
  • Large, easy-to-read clock
  • Minimalist design
  • Progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Cross Timer & Workout Recorder is an interval timer for CrossFit, HIIT, Hyrox and functional fitness – now with built-in video recording. Run EMOM, AMRAP, Tabata, For Time or custom intervals, keep every second under control, and film your WODs with the clock on screen for competition qualifiers, online throwdowns and coach reviews. RECORD YOUR WOD WITH THE TIMER ON SCREEN Submitting a score for the Open, a qualifier or an online competition? Record your workout with the running clock visible in the video from the first rep to the last, so judges can see exactly how long it took. The camera and the timer have separate controls, so you decide when to start recording and when to start the clock – set up your phone, get into position and go. No second phone, no separate stopwatch, no editing. • Video Recording with Timer – Film any WOD with the clock on screen • Separate Controls – Start the camera and the timer independently and stay in control of both • Proof for Competitions – Ideal for the Open, qualifiers, online throwdowns and judged scores • Coach Review – Share your video to check movement standards and technique WORKOUT TIMERS • EMOM Timer – Every Minute On the Minute workouts made simple • Tabata Timer – Classic 20/10 intervals and fully customizable rounds • AMRAP Mode – Track as many rounds as possible with precision • For Time – Beat the clock and improve performance • Custom Workout Builder – Create your own interval structures and training sessions • Large, Easy-to-Read Clock – Visible across the gym, even mid-workout • Minimal & Focused Design – No distractions during training WORKOUT HISTORY & JOURNAL Every WOD is saved automatically. Reuse previous timer settings in one tap, rename workouts, edit past sessions and keep notes on your performance – finish time, AMRAP rounds, reps, weights used, scores or anything else that matters for tracking progress. Built for athletes, coaches and anyone serious about training – at home, in the gym or with a team. Whether you're chasing a PR or recording your qualifier score, Cross Timer keeps the clock honest. Download Cross Timer and start your next WOD. Terms of Use (EULA): https://emomworkouts.com/terms-of-use

Screenshots

Box Timer4 screens
Cross Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Box Timer at none against Cross Timer's 3. Box Timer also leads on ratings volume (3K vs 1). Cross Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (16.6 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. Cross Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 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 Cross Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Box Timer has 3K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Box Timer ships an update monthly, Cross Timer every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Box Timer versus Cross Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBox TimerCross Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (3K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews93.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings3K — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS1816.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEdvin LindenHanna Blashchuk

Customer experience

Box Timer

All ratings3,002 ratings
Positive96.8%
Neutral1.5%
Negative1.6%
Written reviews138 reviews
Positive93.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative6.5%

Cross Timer

All ratings1 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

Cross Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Box Timer

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Cross Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Video Mode Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Video Mode Yearly$19.991 Year
One-time1
  • Video Mode Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is Box Timer free?
Box Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cross Timer free?
Cross Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Box Timer or Cross Timer?
Cross Timer is rated higher. Box Timer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 3K ratings, while Cross Timer averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Box Timer or Cross Timer have ads?
Neither Box Timer nor Cross Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Box Timer or Cross Timer?
Box Timer ships an update monthly, and Cross Timer every 4 weeks. Most recently, Box Timer was updated on November 3, 2026 and Cross Timer on October 31, 2026.

Other comparisons