Comparison

LabTimer vs One Tap Timer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

LabTimer

This app provides multiple configurable timers for various uses, from scientific experiments to everyday tasks like cooking and workouts. It features a clear display, customizable labels, and the ability to repeat count-down timers.

Highlights
  • Four configurable timers
  • Count-up and count-down modes
  • Large display and buttons
  • Customizable text labels
  • Repeat count-down functionality
  • Disables iPod sleep
Features
Read full description

LabTimer is a count-up and alarming count-down multi-timer. ***NEWS*** LabTimerPhD is now available. It has all the same functionality as LabTimer. If you like LabTimer, please consider picking up LabTimerPhD! I'll use the suggestions on LabTimerPhD for future changes. All updates will be applied to both applications. ***NEWS*** The look and feel of LabTimer is designed to emulate that of standard lab timers, providing quick access to count-down timers and repeat runs. LabTimer is not just good for the lab, though - it is also convenient for cooking, medication timing, working out, and child timeouts. LabTimer has the following features: - Four timers, individually configurable as count-up or alarming count-down - Large display and buttons - Display in Hours : Minutes : Seconds (limit above 1000 hours) - Customizable text labels for each timer - Small icons describing the state of all timers - Disables iPod sleep, keeping your timer running and visible - Designed to satisfy the lab needs of my molecular biologist wife Count-down timers each: - Display the projected finish time - Alarm for one minute - After the alarm, display the time elapsed since finish in red - Repeat the last count-down by: -- pressing clear while the timer is paused -- pressing start/stop twice after the timer has finished The iPhone currently prevents background processes, so LabTimer cannot alarm if the application is not running. However, the screen can be locked while the timers are running. The alarm also plays over and does not interrupt any playing music. While this will finally let you keep your noise-isolating headphones on during long incubations, please remember to experiment responsibly. There are many timers and stopwatches on the App Store, but they did not fulfill my (or my wife's) needs. We're now using LabTimer, and we hope you will too. LabTimer is free and will remain free. I've created LabTimerPhD, a pay app with identical features, if you'd like to contribute to future development. I haven't seen anyone else doing this and it seems like an interesting way of handling donations. :) Please let me know what you think and how LabTimer can be improved, either via a review or the e-mail address on the website. Thanks for looking!

About

One Tap Timer

This app offers a straightforward countdown timer designed for everyday tasks. It features simple controls, quick setup with presets, and customizable alerts, all within a distraction-free interface. Ideal for studying, cooking, workouts, and more.

Highlights
  • Tap to start, pause, resume
  • Minimalist, distraction-free interface
  • Instant presets and custom duration
  • Light and Dark visual themes
  • Sound or vibration alerts
  • Focus and study timer
Features
Read full description

Looking for a simple timer? Stop fumbling with complex settings. Just tap and focus. One Tap Timer is the most intuitive countdown timer app for your daily life. We stripped away the clutter to give you a timer that just works. Whether you are studying, working out, or cooking, simply set your time and go. ■ SIMPLE & FAST • Simple Controls: Tap anywhere to start, pause, or resume. • Distraction-Free: A clean, minimal interface that lets you focus on the numbers. • Quick Setup: Use instant presets (30 seconds, 1 min, 5 min, 10 min) or set a custom duration. • Stay Awake: The screen never dims while your timer is running. ■ ALARMS & THEMES • Flexible Alarms: Choose between sound, vibration, or silent — perfect for quiet libraries or loud kitchens. • Background Alarms: Get an alarm when time's up, even with the screen off. • Visual Themes: Switch between a crisp Light Mode and an eye-friendly Dark Mode. ■ PERFECT FOR • Focus & Study: Pomodoro technique, exams, and reading sessions. • Board Games: Turn limits for Rummikub, Chess, or party games. • Work: Presentations, public speaking practice, and meetings. • Cooking: Boiling eggs, brewing coffee, or steeping tea. • Fitness: Planking, HIIT intervals, and rest between sets. ■ 100% FREE (OPTIONAL AD REMOVAL) One Tap Timer is completely free to use. An optional one-time purchase removes ads forever (No subscriptions). Experience the beauty of simplicity. Download One Tap Timer today.

Screenshots

LabTimer4 screens
One Tap Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: One Tap Timer at 4.6 against LabTimer's 4.0. One Tap Timer also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 11 months). LabTimer's advantage is review sentiment (91% vs 50%) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price 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. One Tap Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LabTimer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

One Tap Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: LabTimer has 174 ratings behind it against 33, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 91% of LabTimer's written reviews are positive against 50% of One Tap Timer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

LabTimer ships an update every 11 months, One Tap Timer every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
LabTimer versus One Tap Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLabTimerOne Tap Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (174 ratings)4.6 (33 ratings) — better
Positive reviews90.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings174 — better33
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS10.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer0x0cStedyWorks

Customer experience

LabTimer

All ratings174 ratings
Positive70.1%
Neutral12.1%
Negative17.8%
Written reviews118 reviews
Positive90.7%
Neutral5.9%
Negative3.4%

One Tap Timer

All ratings33 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

LabTimer

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • iPad notifications not displaying correctly
  • App fails to open on iPhone X with iOS 14.4
  • Alarm non-functional on iOS 5 in lock mode
  • No audio output on iOS 9.x
  • Timer stops when iPhone enters sleep mode (older versions)
Show 1 more
  • App incompatibility with newer iOS versions

Requested features

17 requests
  • Landscape orientation support (especially for iPad)
  • Keyboard/direct number input for faster time entry
  • Multiple selectable alarm sounds/tones
  • Ability to customize alarm volume independently
  • Countdown voice announcements
Show 12 more
  • Screen lock display of timer countdown
  • Millisecond/decimal second precision
  • Different alarm sounds for different timers
  • Visual alerts (screen flash) in addition to sound
  • Ability to decrease time values (not just increase)
  • Timer interaction/chaining (one timer starts another)
  • Configurable alarm duration
  • Days display option for very long timers
  • All timers visible on single screen
  • Ability to add notes to timers
  • Push notifications when app is closed
  • Recording custom alarm messages

One Tap Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

LabTimer

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

One Tap Timer

One-time1
  • Remove Ads$2.99

Questions

Is LabTimer free?
LabTimer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is One Tap Timer free?
One Tap Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, LabTimer or One Tap Timer?
One Tap Timer is rated higher. LabTimer averages 4.0 out of 5 from 174 ratings, while One Tap Timer averages 4.6 from 33 ratings.
Do LabTimer or One Tap Timer have ads?
One Tap Timer shows ads; LabTimer does not.
Which is updated more often, LabTimer or One Tap Timer?
LabTimer ships an update every 11 months, and One Tap Timer every 6 days. Most recently, LabTimer was updated on September 30, 2026 and One Tap Timer on October 2, 2026.

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