# Interval Timer vs Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds

The clearest difference is price: Interval Timer at Free against Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds's $4.99. Interval Timer also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.9) and update cadence (every 9 days vs every 2 months). Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#91 vs unranked). On in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

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 75, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 55% of Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds's.

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Interval Timer | Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[4.5 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-tabata-timer/id406473568/reviews)** | [3.9 (75 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-plus-custom-sounds/id1175807581/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19K** | 75 |
| Positive reviews | **72.9% of reviews** | 54.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#91** |
| Size | 143 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NEO PIXEL LABS PTE. LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1788472183) | [Vladimir Kelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/933241655) |

## What reviewers say

### Interval Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-tabata-timer/id406473568)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus - 1 Month | $0.99 | per month |
| Premium - 1 Month | $1.99 | per month |
| Plus - 1 Month | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium - 1 Month | $2.99 | per month |
| Plus - 1 Year | $4.99 | per year |
| Premium - 1 Year | $9.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Free version works well
- 👍 Customizable intervals and timers
- 👍 Flexible for different workouts
- 👍 Easy to use and set up
- 👍 Provides visual and audio cues

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Timer issues (stops, loses time)
- 🔋 Drains battery when used
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 📢 Intrusive ads
- 🔒 Incompatible with other apps

**Reported bugs**

- Ads block functionality
- App freezes or crashes
- Timer doesn't work in background

**Requested features**

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


### Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-plus-custom-sounds/id1175807581)

**Currently charting:** #91 Top Paid · Health & Fitness (US App Store)

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:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip a Banana | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tip a Coffee | $3.99 | one-time |
| Donate: Bust the project! | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 👍 Perfect for workouts
- 👍 No ads, no nonsense
- 👍 Good app, like it
- 👍 Very practical

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😩 Nagging to write reviews
- 😩 Doesn't work in background
- 😩 Not loud enough
- 😩 Vibration too short
- 😩 Paid version lacks features

**Reported bugs**

- Doesn't work in background
- Timer doesn't work for over 59 minutes on watch
- Custom alert audio not working
- Alarm not working after payment
- App doesn't open

**Requested features**

- More sound options
- Ability to set alarm for a time of day
- Explanation for changing display mode
- Simultaneous timers
- Ability to set start/end times and weekdays


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Interval Timer free?

Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds free?

Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds costs $4.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Interval Timer or Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds?

Interval Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds averages 3.9 from 75 ratings.

### Do Interval Timer or Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds have ads?

Interval Timer shows ads; Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds does not.

### Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds?

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, and Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds every 2 months. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on October 24, 2026 and Periodic Timer + Custom Sounds on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*