Comparison

GymBrain vs Top Set Timer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

GymBrain

This app helps you track your gym sets and recovery times with a single tap. It includes a HIIT timer, customizable alarms, and automatic workout timing. Store your workout history and share your progress with friends.

Highlights
  • Automatic set counter
  • Recovery timer with alarms
  • Automatic workout timer
  • HIIT timer
  • Workout history storage
  • Apple Watch support
Features
Read full description

GymBrain combines a set counter with a recovery and workout timer - all with one tap. Plus, a High-intensity interval training timer (HIIT). - Automatic set counter. - Recover timer with alarms. - Automatic workout timer. - Apple Watch support. - Highly configurable. - High-intensity interval training timer (HIIT). - Workout History stored in iCloud. - Share your workouts via Twitter, Facebook, etc. - iAd supported with In App purchase to disable. Here's how it works: Once you’ve completed your set tap “Start”. The recovery timer will begin and GymBrain will count your set. When your recovery has completed, GymBrain will alert you using a tone, vibration or flash. When you’ve finished your repetitions, tap “Zero” to start your next set of exercises. By default, GymBrains recovery timer counts up, not down. So if your varying your recovery periods for different exercises you don’t need to mess about changing settings during your workout. GymBrain is highly configurable though. Choose recovery duration, the type of alarm you want, countdown style and more. When you start your first recovery, GymBrain will automatically start timing your entire workout. When your done, GymBrain will keep a record of your workout.

About

Top Set Timer

This workout timer helps you manage rest and intervals for strength training. It offers flexible modes for self-paced sets, HIIT, and EMOM, allowing you to focus on your workout without watching the clock. It runs in the background and notifies you when it's time for the next set.

Highlights
  • Flexible rest timer for strength sets
  • HIIT and EMOM interval modes
  • Background operation and notifications
  • Supports strength, powerlifting, and conditioning
  • Simple, no-frills interface
Features
Read full description

Top Set Timer is a no frills workout timer with one job: keeping your rest and intervals on track so you can focus on training. Unlike most timers on the App Store that are designed for HIIT programs and force fixed work and rest blocks, Top Set Timer is built for real strength sessions where sets take as long as they take. Finish your set, rack the bar, then tap once to start your rest. When the timer goes off, you are ready for the next set. When you want more structure, switch to HIIT or EMOM modes for classic interval work. Use it for barbell strength programs, powerlifting, bodyweight and calisthenics sessions, sprints and hill runs, or conditioning blocks in the gym. Top Set Timer includes three modes: Rest mode lets you start the timer only when you finish a set, ideal for longer 2 to 5 minute rests or any self paced work. HIIT mode runs repeated work and rest intervals for conditioning and finishers. EMOM mode keeps every minute on the minute, or any interval you choose, locked in for focused training blocks. Top Set Timer keeps track of your rests even when it's off the screen. If you navigate away the timer will continue to run in the background and will notify you when its time to get back to work. Top Set Timer keeps your rest honest and your intervals consistent so you can train harder, recover better, and stop staring at the clock.

Screenshots

GymBrain4 screens
Top Set Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Top Set Timer at fortnightly against GymBrain's every 3 months. Top Set Timer also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). GymBrain's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.4 vs 17.5). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. GymBrain sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Top Set Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for GymBrain against 5.0 for Top Set Timer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GymBrain ships an update every 3 months, Top Set Timer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
GymBrain versus Top Set Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGymBrainTop Set Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.4 — better17.5
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRoss TullochGreg McInnes

Customer experience

GymBrain

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Top Set Timer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GymBrain

One-time1
  • Ad Free Upgrade$0.99
1 purchases

Top Set Timer

One-time1
  • Top Set Timer Pro$2.99

Questions

Is GymBrain free?
GymBrain is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Top Set Timer free?
Top Set Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GymBrain or Top Set Timer?
GymBrain and Top Set Timer are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 3 and 1 ratings respectively.
Do GymBrain or Top Set Timer have ads?
Neither GymBrain nor Top Set Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GymBrain or Top Set Timer?
GymBrain ships an update every 3 months, and Top Set Timer fortnightly. Most recently, GymBrain was updated on October 7, 2026 and Top Set Timer on October 4, 2026.

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