Comparison

Interval Timer vs Shift

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

Shift

This app intelligently switches between playing music during high-intensity workout periods and podcasts during rest periods. It automatically adjusts audio based on your activity, allowing for an uninterrupted workout experience. Integrates with popular music services and Apple Health.

Highlights
  • Automatic music/podcast switching
  • Workout intensity detection
  • Spotify/Apple Music integration
  • Podcast library access
  • Apple Health integration
  • Heart rate tracking
Features
Read full description

Shift is a new way to listen to podcasts during your workouts. It plays music when your effort is high, and shifts to podcasts when you rest. It all happens automatically so you don't have to manually switch during your workout. Are you into weightlifting? You’ll hear your favorite podcast while resting between sets, and once you jump on the weights it'll play music. Shift is also great for running where you’ll alternate between fast-pace to music and slow-pace to podcasts. You’ll get your workout music through Spotify, Apple Music, or our own set of workout mixtapes, and we’ve got every podcast available so you can easily add your favourite shows. Health Kit: Shift provides a full Apple Health Kit integration, if you have an Apple Watch with the Shift watch app installed. The integration allows you to track your workouts, and follow your heart rate. Terms of service: https://www.shiftfm.app/terms Privacy: https://www.shiftfm.app/privacy

Screenshots

Interval Timer4 screens
Shift4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Shift at none against Interval Timer's shown. Interval Timer's advantage is ratings volume (19K vs 57) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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 Shift sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Interval Timer against 4.5 for Shift. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Interval Timer has 19K ratings behind it against 57, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 69% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 77% of Shift's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, Shift every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Interval Timer versus Shift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval TimerShift
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (19K ratings) — better4.5 (57 ratings)
Positive reviews69.0% of reviews76.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings19K — better57
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size143 MB39 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperNEO PIXEL LABS PTE. LTD.Jazzlab Tech AS

Customer experience

Interval Timer

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

Shift

All ratings57 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral8.8%
Negative7.0%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive76.7%
Neutral10.0%
Negative13.3%

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

Shift

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
2 purchases

Shift

Subscriptions2
  • Unlimited access$4.991 Month
  • Unlimited access7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Interval Timer free?
Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shift free?
Shift is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Interval Timer or Shift?
Interval Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while Shift averages 4.5 from 57 ratings.
Do Interval Timer or Shift have ads?
Interval Timer shows ads; Shift does not.
Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Shift?
Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, and Shift every 11 days. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on September 25, 2026 and Shift on August 4, 2026.

Other comparisons