Simple Interval Timer vs HIIT Timer / Interval Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Simple Interval Timer
This app provides a straightforward interval timer for various training types like running, cycling, and HIIT. Customize sets, action, and break durations for a personalized workout experience. It runs in the background and saves recent configurations.
- Customizable sets, action, and break durations
- Plain and simple design
- Saves last 5 configurations
- Runs in the background
- iOS screen dimming prevention
- Apple Watch integration with heart rate monitoring
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Simple Interval Timer (SIT) can be used for any kind of interval training, such as running, cycling, HIIT sessions (including Tabata method), stretching, etc. SIT is exactly what you would expect. An interval timer, which is easy to set up and use. It features a nice plain design, with no unnecessary controls. Adjust Number of Sets, Action and Break duration to your needs and you are ready to go! On the iOS an extra switch control allows you to prevent the screen from dimming. SIT remembers the last 5 configurations you have used. Swipe left across the Settings screen to switch to another configuration. SIT can run in the background, while you are playing music, watching videos or doing anything else on your iOS device. SIT Watch features the same simplicity as the iOS app while offering the same functionality, plus it will measure your heartbeat during the workout sessions. The recordings will be available in the Apple's Health app. SIT Watch runs independently of the phone, so no need to have your phone around during your workouts (although you will need your phone during the very first time you launch SIT watch). SIT lets you avoid any tedious set up and focus on your training!
HIIT Timer / Interval Timer
This app provides a customizable timer for high-intensity interval training. Easily set up warm-up, workout, and cool-down periods with adjustable intervals and counts. Personalize colors, sounds, and notifications for a tailored experience.
- Unlimited timer creation
- Customizable intervals (warm-up, workout, cool-down)
- Adjustable counts
- Color and sound customization
- Dark mode support
- Background notifications
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It's a timer app suitable for HIIT training. All features are completely free to use. Features: - Quick start-up and comfortable operability. Create unlimited timers. - Freely set warm-up, ready, workout, interval, cool-down minutes / seconds, and set counts. - Customize colors, texts, background notifications, sounds, speeches, vibrations, screen flashes and icon badges. - Dark mode - All free URL scheme: hiittimer:// --- * High-intensity interval training High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a training protocol alternating short periods of intense or explosive anaerobic exercise with brief recovery periods until the point of exhaustion, which thereby relies on "the anaerobic energy releasing system almost maximally." * Procedure HIIT exercise sessions generally consist of a warm up period followed by repetitions of high-intensity exercises separated by medium intensity exercises for recovery, then a cool-down period. The high-intensity exercise should be done at near maximum intensity. The medium exercise should be about 50% intensity. The number of repetitions and length of each depends on the exercise, but maybe as little as three repetitions with just 20 seconds of intense exercise. The specific exercises performed during the high-intensity portions vary. Most of the research on HIIT has been done using a cycling ergometer, but other exercises like a rowing ergometer, running, stair climbing and uphill walking can also be effective. There is no specific formula for HIIT. Depending on one's level of cardiovascular development, the moderate-level intensity can be as slow as walking. A common formula involves a 2:1 ratio of work to recovery periods, for example, 30–40 seconds of hard sprinting alternated with 15–20 seconds of jogging or walking, repeated to failure. The entire HIIT session may last between four and thirty minutes, meaning that it is considered to be an excellent way to maximize a workout limited by time constraints. Use of a clock or timer is recommended to keep accurate times, the number of rounds, and intensity. Quoted from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-intensity_interval_training
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HIIT Timer / Interval Timer at none against Simple Interval Timer's 4. HIIT Timer / Interval Timer also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 8 months). Simple Interval Timer's advantage is ratings volume (5.4K vs 14) and iOS requirement (14.5 vs 26.0). On price, rating, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Simple Interval Timer sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. HIIT Timer / Interval Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Simple Interval Timer against 4.9 for HIIT Timer / Interval Timer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Simple Interval Timer has 5.4K ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Simple Interval Timer ships an update every 8 months, HIIT Timer / Interval Timer every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Simple Interval Timer | HIIT Timer / Interval Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (5.4K ratings) | 4.9 (14 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 84.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5.4K — better | 14 |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.5 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 12 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 0FF | FugaPiyo Inc. |
Customer experience
Simple Interval Timer
HIIT Timer / Interval Timer
Bugs and requests
Simple Interval Timer
Reported bugs
3 issues- Timer stops working when screen is locked
- Countdown beeps not syncing with timer
- Interval times not accurately tracked
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to name and delete saved configurations
- More granular interval time settings (e.g., 1-second increments)
- Stronger haptic feedback on Apple Watch
- Integration with workout tracking apps
HIIT Timer / Interval Timer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Simple Interval Timer
- Espresso$0.99
- Americano$1.99
- Ad-free version$2.99
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- Caramel Cappuccino$2.99
HIIT Timer / Interval Timer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Simple Interval Timer free?
Is HIIT Timer / Interval Timer free?
Which has better reviews, Simple Interval Timer or HIIT Timer / Interval Timer?
Do Simple Interval Timer or HIIT Timer / Interval Timer have ads?
Which is updated more often, Simple Interval Timer or HIIT Timer / Interval Timer?
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