# Repeat Timer vs Boat Ballast

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Boat Ballast at none against Repeat Timer's 4. Boat Ballast also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Repeat Timer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Boat Ballast asks for nothing beyond the download.

Repeat Timer ships an update monthly, Boat Ballast every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Repeat Timer | Boat Ballast |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.1 (543 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/repeat-timer/id443410415/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **543** | — |
| Positive reviews | 44.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Size | 89 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Foobar Creative](https://appshunter.io/developer/464777525) | [Gorman Technology Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1767984199) |

## What reviewers say

### Repeat Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/repeat-timer/id443410415)

This app provides a flexible repeating timer for work and relaxation. Set custom durations and repeat counts, and receive notifications for each cycle. It integrates with widgets, Siri, and Apple Watch for seamless use.

**Highlights:** Customizable duration and repeat count, Background notifications, Home and Lock Screen widgets, Siri and Shortcuts integration, Apple Watch companion app, Quick entry for common timers

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Repeat Timer Premium Monthly | $1.99 | per month |
| Repeat Timer Premium Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Repeat Timer Premium Annual | $14.99 | per year |
| Premium Upgrade | $49.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent repeat timer
- 👍 Simple and easy to use
- 👍 Versatile for various use cases
- 👍 Good notification sounds
- 👍 Helpful for productivity and exercise

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔒 Limited free version, requires subscription for full features
- 🐛 Notifications/alarms not always reliable
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🔋 Drains battery when running in background
- 🔒 Lack of customization options in free version

**Reported bugs**

- Timers not working consistently in background
- Apple Watch integration issues
- Inconsistent behavior when setting longer timer durations

**Requested features**

- Ability to set custom intervals (e.g. 8 seconds)
- Option for alternating interval lengths
- Vibration mode for silent notifications
- Ability to pause/resume timers
- More timer sound options


### Boat Ballast

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/boat-ballast/id6677016940)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Repeat Timer free?

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

### Is Boat Ballast free?

Boat Ballast is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Repeat Timer or Boat Ballast have ads?

Repeat Timer shows ads; Boat Ballast does not.

### Which is updated more often, Repeat Timer or Boat Ballast?

Repeat Timer ships an update monthly, and Boat Ballast every 2 months. Most recently, Repeat Timer was updated on October 12, 2026 and Boat Ballast on October 10, 2026.

---

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