Comparison

Interval Timer vs Periodic Timer +

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

Head to head
About

Interval Timer

This app helps you manage workout intervals with customizable work and rest periods. It runs in the background and allows music playback, with options to save settings and share progress. Integrates with Apple Health for heart rate monitoring.

Highlights
  • Customizable sets, intervals, and rest times
  • Runs in background and with screen locked
  • Music playlist integration
  • Save settings as templates
  • Apple Health integration for heart rate
  • Post workouts to social media
Features
Read full description

***Free and reliable. Perfect for use at home, at the track or in the gym. We’re proud to introduce this handy little app that helps you keep track of your work and rest periods during workouts. Whether your into cycling, running, lifting weights, exercise, workout, stretching, boxing, MMA or HIT, this interval timer will prove to be an invaluable asset to you. Running foreground, background or with device locked, this reliable app allows you specify an overall time as well as program High/Low intensity interval and rest time between sets. Produced by Polycents! Key Features: - Customizable sets, high/low intensity interval and rest for your own need - Retina display, iOS4 and multitasking - Continue to run even when screen is locked - Play your song or playlist during your workout - Post your workout to Facebook or Twitter - Save settings as templates Customizable Features: - Number of Sets - Countdown Time - Set Time - Low Interval time - High Interval time - Rest Time - First Interval (low or high) - Sound Volume - Timer Sounds - Auto Lock - Vibrate - Pause during Rest - Playlist - New Each Set APPLE HEALTH: -Interval Timer can use Apple Health to show heart rate in Apple Watch App. # Subscription Details # - Monthly and annual subscriptions are available. - Payment will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase. - Your subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is disabled at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. - Automatic renewals will be charged at the same price you were originally charged for the subscription. - Subscriptions can be managed by going to Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Terms of Use: https://www.iubenda.com/terms-and-conditions/18915396 Privacy Policy: https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/18915396

About

Periodic Timer +

This app provides a simple, repeating interval timer that works in the background. It offers customizable sounds, vibration, and flexible output modes for various activities like fitness, cooking, and learning. The interface is designed to be minimalist and distraction-free.

Highlights
  • Repeating interval timer
  • Customizable sounds and vibration
  • Works in the background
  • Long intervals up to 99 hours
  • Multiple timer output modes
  • Shake to start functionality
Features
Read full description

Keep track of time without being distracted by the device! Simple and easy timer that repeats at your chosen interval. FEATURES - Many sounds to select + the ability to add custom ones. - Up to 4 pinned and up to 5 recent Quick Start items. - Long intervals - up to 99 hours! - Vibration, if the sound is off. - Works in the background. - 3 timer output modes: intervals, total time, countdown. - You can cancel or pause the timer with help of a notification. - Flexibility and minimalism. - Shake To Start - can be enabled in settings. - Prevent Lockscreen - another useful setting, the screen will not lock, while the timer is running. USE CASES Here is a list of use cases based on the real feedback: Fitness and health: - Stretching - Stationary bicycle (interval training) - On a treadmill - For HIIT - Jogging - Timed medication - Boxing Cooking - While frying potatoes - Roasting steaks - Checking an oven or a grill to prevent burning Learning & science - Foreign language learning - As a lab timer - Periodic data collection - Speech training - Presentation timing Other - Mindfulness - Communication - To have a sense of time flying away :) HELP Q: Why the timer doesn't work in the background? A: You should allow notifications. Q: How to turn off the sound and turn on the vibration? A: On the device, turn the Silent Mode on. (Side Switch) Q: How can I add a custom sound? A: There are four ways. Choose one depending where is the sound file located. * If the sound on your Mac or PC: 1. Connect the device. 2. Open Finder and select the device. 3. Select Files in the menu. There you'll find 'Periodic +' folder. 4. Drug and drop the sound file there. * From Files app on iPhone: 1. Copy the required file. 2. Open Periodic + folder and paste it. * From another app on iPhone (like Mail): 1. Open the app where the file is located. 2. Find and touch Share button (it may have different name, for example Export). 3. In the appearing Share Sheet find the list of apps. If there is no Periodic +, touch More and enable it. 4. Now select Periodic + in the Share dialog and the sound will be imported. * And the most convenient "+" button! 1. Open Sounds tab. 2. Hit the "+" button in the "Folder" section and pick your file. Q: Alert is limited for 5 seconds! A: Go to Settings app, then Periodic + > Notifications > Banner Style > Persistent. Q: How to switch the Timer Output Mode? A: To switch the Output Mode touch the timer display at the top of the screen. Q: What is Shake To Start for? A: Shake To Start setting allows to start/cancel the timer by shaking the device. Thus, you don't touch the screen, what can be useful while cooking, for example. For this mode, in order to work, the app should be open. This app has a free version with limited features. If you still have questions or suggestions, you can visit the support page (https://goo.gl/forms/pggVBcaBxdW85EGE3), the Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/PeriodicTimer/) or you can email me (periodictimer.sup@gmail.com). If you like the app - please, rate it!

Screenshots

Interval Timer4 screens
Periodic Timer +4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Interval Timer at Free against Periodic Timer +'s $4.99. Interval Timer also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.9) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 4 months). Periodic Timer +'s advantage is ads (none vs shown). On in-app purchases 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

Interval Timer is free to download; Periodic Timer + costs $4.99 up front. Interval Timer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Periodic Timer + sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Interval Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Interval Timer has 19K ratings behind it against 74, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 54% of Periodic Timer +'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, Periodic Timer + every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Interval Timer versus Periodic Timer +: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval TimerPeriodic Timer +
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating4.5 (19K ratings) — better3.9 (74 ratings)
Positive reviews69.0% of reviews — better53.6% of reviews
Number of ratings19K — better74
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size143 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNEO PIXEL LABS PTE. LTD.Vladimir Kelin

Customer experience

Interval Timer

All ratings19,032 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral3.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews1,236 reviews
Positive69.0%
Neutral5.7%
Negative25.2%

Periodic Timer +

All ratings74 ratings
Positive67.6%
Neutral9.5%
Negative23.0%
Written reviews84 reviews
Positive53.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative32.1%

Bugs and requests

Interval Timer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Ads block functionality
  • App freezes or crashes
  • Timer doesn't work in background

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add notes to workouts
  • Provide workout history and analytics
  • Allow syncing with Apple Health
  • Improve Apple Watch integration
  • Add more customization options

Periodic Timer +

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Interval Timer

Subscriptions6
  • Plus - 1 Month$0.991 Month
  • Premium - 1 Month$1.991 Month
  • Plus - 1 Month$1.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Premium - 1 Month$2.991 Month
  • Plus - 1 Year2 variants$4.991 Year
  • Premium - 1 Year7 Days trial2 variants$9.991 Year
3 purchases

Periodic Timer +

One-time3
  • Tip a Banana$0.99
  • Tip a Coffee$3.99
  • Donate: Bust the project!$9.99

Questions

Is Interval Timer free?
Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Periodic Timer + free?
Periodic Timer + costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Interval Timer or Periodic Timer +?
Interval Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while Periodic Timer + averages 3.9 from 74 ratings.
Do Interval Timer or Periodic Timer + have ads?
Interval Timer shows ads; Periodic Timer + does not.
Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Periodic Timer +?
Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, and Periodic Timer + every 4 months. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on September 27, 2026 and Periodic Timer + on September 24, 2026.

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