# Interval Timer vs Periodic Timer +

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) and chart position (#119 vs unranked). On in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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.

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.

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, Periodic Timer + every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Interval Timer | Periodic Timer + |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[4.5 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-tabata-timer/id406473568/reviews)** | [3.9 (74 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-plus/id1175807581/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19K** | 74 |
| Positive reviews | **69.0% of reviews** | 53.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#119** |
| Size | 143 MB | 12 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| 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 +

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

**Currently charting:** #119 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 |


## Frequently asked 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 28, 2026 and Periodic Timer + on September 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.*