# Interval Timer vs Tabata Timer

The clearest difference is rating: Interval Timer at 4.5 against Tabata Timer's 3.8. Interval Timer also leads on ratings volume (19K vs 9) and device support (4 vs 2). Tabata Timer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (100% vs 69%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Interval Timer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Tabata Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Interval Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Interval Timer has 19K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Tabata Timer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, Tabata Timer weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and August 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Interval Timer | Tabata Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-tabata-timer/id406473568/reviews)** | [3.8 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabata-timer-boxing-timer/id6474062808/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19K** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 69.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 143 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NEO PIXEL LABS PTE. LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1788472183) | [Polybit Studio Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1425804524) |

## 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


### Tabata Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tabata-timer-boxing-timer/id6474062808)

This interval training app offers customizable timers for various workouts like Tabata, HIIT, and boxing. It features voice guidance, workout history, and the ability to save presets. Some advanced features require a one-time purchase.

**Highlights:** Customizable work and rest timers, Adjustable number of rounds, Pause, skip, and go back options, Workout history and saved presets, Customizable audio cues with voice guidance, Initial countdown timer, Final seconds alert

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Upgrade | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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?

Interval Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while Tabata Timer averages 3.8 from 9 ratings.

### Do Interval Timer or Tabata Timer have ads?

Interval Timer shows ads; Tabata Timer does not.

### Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Tabata Timer?

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, and Tabata Timer weekly. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on September 25, 2026 and Tabata Timer on August 15, 2026.

---

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