# Interval Timer vs Custom Workout Timer

The clearest difference is rating: Interval Timer at 4.5 against Custom Workout Timer's 3.7. Interval Timer also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (19K vs 6). Custom Workout Timer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (88% vs 69%). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Interval Timer sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Custom Workout Timer sells 2 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 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Interval Timer has 19K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 69% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 88% of Custom Workout 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, Custom Workout Timer every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and June 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Interval Timer | Custom Workout Timer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (19K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-tabata-timer/id406473568/reviews)** | [3.7 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/custom-workout-timer/id895955964/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **19K** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 69.0% of reviews | **87.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 9 days** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 143 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NEO PIXEL LABS PTE. LTD.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1788472183) | [Encodia, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/895955967) |

## 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


### Custom Workout Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/custom-workout-timer/id895955964)

Design custom workout routines with timed exercises. This app provides spoken prompts for each exercise and countdowns for remaining time. Enjoy your music without interruption during your training sessions.

**Highlights:** Create custom workout routines, Timed exercises, Spoken exercise prompts, Countdown timer, Music player integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 7-day Trial | Free | one-time |
| Full App | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Interval Timer free?

Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Custom Workout Timer free?

Custom Workout Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Interval Timer or Custom Workout Timer?

Interval Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 19K ratings, while Custom Workout Timer averages 3.7 from 6 ratings.

### Do Interval Timer or Custom Workout Timer have ads?

Interval Timer shows ads; Custom Workout Timer does not.

### Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Custom Workout Timer?

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, and Custom Workout Timer every 6 months. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on September 24, 2026 and Custom Workout Timer on June 10, 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.*