# Interval Timer vs Shift

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Interval Timer | Shift |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-tabata-timer/id406473568/reviews)** | [4.5 (57 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shift-workout-with-podcasts/id1406183218/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19K** | 57 |
| Positive reviews | 69.0% of reviews | **76.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 11 days |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 143 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [NEO PIXEL LABS PTE. LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1788472183) | [Jazzlab Tech AS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1551986140) |

## 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


### Shift

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shift-workout-with-podcasts/id1406183218)

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Unlimited access | $4.99 | per month |
| Unlimited access | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked 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.

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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.*