Comparison

Interval Timer vs Tabata 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

Tabata Timer

This app provides a versatile interval timer for high-intensity workouts like HIIT and Tabata. Users can create custom routines with adjustable work/rest times, sets, and cycles, and receive voice cues. It functions as a background companion to keep you focused during training.

Highlights
  • Customizable interval timers
  • HIIT and Tabata training support
  • Adjustable work and rest times
  • Set and cycle configuration
  • Interval naming
  • Background operation
  • Voice cues
Features
Read full description

Become better, faster, and stronger — together with Tabata Timer for Workouts! A simple yet powerful HIIT and Tabata timer for cardio, CrossFit, and any high-intensity training. Beginners can start with one tap, while advanced users get full control over every interval. Create custom workouts: adjust work and rest times, sets, and cycles; add interval names, background music, and voice cues. The app runs smoothly in the background, supports vibration, music ducking, and much more. More than just a stopwatch — your personal workout partner that keeps you focused, motivated, and on track anywhere — at home, in the gym, or outdoors. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Interval Timer4 screens
Tabata Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Tabata Timer at 4.9 against Interval Timer's 4.5. Tabata Timer also leads on review sentiment (98% vs 73%). Interval Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, ratings volume, 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. Interval Timer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Tabata Timer sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tabata Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 19K and 9.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 98% of Tabata Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, Tabata Timer every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 10, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Interval Timer versus Tabata Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval TimerTabata Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (19K ratings)4.9 (9.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews72.9% of reviews98.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19K — better9.2K
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 10 days
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size143 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNEO PIXEL LABS PTE. LTD.Oleksandr Serhiienko

Customer experience

Interval Timer

All ratings19,032 ratings
Positive88.4%
Neutral3.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews1,595 reviews
Positive72.9%
Neutral5.8%
Negative21.3%

Tabata Timer

All ratings9,173 ratings
Positive99.0%
Neutral0.7%
Negative0.4%
Written reviews2,724 reviews
Positive98.3%
Neutral0.8%
Negative0.8%

User reviews

Interval Timer

From 19K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Tabata Timer

From 9.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly
  • 🚀 Customizable workouts
  • 🔊 Clear audio cues
  • 💡 Ability to save multiple workouts
  • 🎵 Plays music in the background

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
  • 🔒 Limited free version (only 2 saved workouts)
  • 💰 Paid version required for more features
  • 🔀 Easy to accidentally skip intervals
  • 🔍 Cluttered interface for some users

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

Tabata Timer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Workouts not saving properly
  • Sync issues between app and Apple Watch
  • Occasional freezing or restarting of device

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to name and save more workouts in free version
  • Option to add exercise images or videos
  • Sync workouts across devices
  • Customizable sounds and alerts
  • Workout history and progress tracking

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
5 purchases

Tabata Timer

Subscriptions4
  • Premium$1.491 Month
  • Premium$2.993 Months
  • Premium$4.496 Months
Show 1 more
  • Premium$7.491 Year
One-time1
  • Premium$9.99

Questions

Is Interval Timer free?
Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tabata Timer free?
Tabata Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Interval Timer or Tabata Timer?
Tabata Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while Tabata Timer averages 4.9 from 9.2K ratings.
Do Interval Timer or Tabata Timer have ads?
Both Interval Timer and Tabata Timer show ads.
Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Tabata Timer?
Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, and Tabata Timer every 10 days. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on October 10, 2026 and Tabata Timer on October 10, 2026.

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