Comparison

Seconds Interval Timer vs Tabata Timer

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

Head to head
About

Seconds Interval Timer

This app provides a versatile interval timer for various workout types like Tabata, HIIT, and circuit training. It features a clear, full-screen display, customizable alerts, and background operation. Users can also utilize a stopwatch and countdown timer, with integration for Apple Health.

Highlights
  • Full-screen colored display
  • Templates for HIIT, Tabata, Circuit Training
  • Voice and audio alerts
  • Music assignment per interval
  • Background operation
  • Apple Health integration
  • Stopwatch and countdown timer
Features
Read full description

Seconds is an interval timer for HIIT, Tabata, EMOM, circuits and any workout built from timed intervals. It calls each interval out loud, keeps running with the screen off, and runs on iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Apple has featured it, and Joe Wicks, The Body Coach, has said it is the fitness app he uses more than any other. BUILD ANY WORKOUT - Start from a HIIT, Tabata or circuit template, or build a timer from scratch with sets, rounds and intervals of different lengths. - Chain timers into one compound timer, so a warm-up flows into the main set and then a cool-down. - Color-code every interval so you know what is coming before the beep. - Share a timer with a friend in one tap. HEAR IT, DON'T WATCH IT - Voice cues call out each interval by name and warn you before the next one starts. - Beeps and bells are there too if you would rather not be talked at. - Play your own music, per timer or per interval. Cues duck the music and it comes back up when they are done. - The timer keeps going in the background while you use other apps or the screen sleeps. ON THE GYM FLOOR - A full-screen, color-coded display you can read from across the room, in portrait or landscape. On iPad it uses the whole screen. - A lock button stops a stray tap from pausing your set. APPLE WATCH - Seconds runs on the watch by itself, so the phone can stay in the locker. Timers you build on the phone sync to the wrist, and Quick Intervals builds a basic circuit on the watch itself. MORE TIMERS - A stopwatch that marks your best and worst laps. - A countdown timer with five preset durations (three on Apple Watch). APPLE HEALTH - Save workouts and mindful sessions to Health. With a heart rate monitor connected, Seconds reads your body measurements and year of birth from Health to estimate calories burned. FREE TO TRY, ONE PAYMENT TO UNLOCK - Everything is available from the first launch. Build any timer and run it. - Each timer locks after you run it once. A single in-app purchase removes the lock on every timer you make. SECONDS AND SECONDS PRO - Seconds Pro is the same app, paid once up front, with nothing to unlock. The two are separate products and a purchase in one does not carry over to the other. If you bought Seconds Pro, download Seconds Pro. If you bought the unlock in Seconds, download Seconds and use Restore Purchases.

About

Tabata Timer

This app provides a versatile interval timer for high-intensity workouts like HIIT and Tabata. Users can create custom routines with adjustable work/rest times, sets, and cycles, and receive voice cues. It functions as a background companion to keep you focused during training.

Highlights
  • Customizable interval timers
  • HIIT and Tabata training support
  • Adjustable work and rest times
  • Set and cycle configuration
  • Interval naming
  • Background operation
  • Voice cues
Features
Read full description

Become better, faster, and stronger — together with Tabata Timer for Workouts! A simple yet powerful HIIT and Tabata timer for cardio, CrossFit, and any high-intensity training. Beginners can start with one tap, while advanced users get full control over every interval. Create custom workouts: adjust work and rest times, sets, and cycles; add interval names, background music, and voice cues. The app runs smoothly in the background, supports vibration, music ducking, and much more. More than just a stopwatch — your personal workout partner that keeps you focused, motivated, and on track anywhere — at home, in the gym, or outdoors. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Seconds Interval Timer4 screens
Tabata Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Seconds Interval Timer at none against Tabata Timer's shown. Tabata Timer's advantage is review sentiment (98% vs 75%) and update cadence (every 10 days vs monthly). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Seconds Interval Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Tabata Timer sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tabata Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 24K and 9.2K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Seconds Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 98% of Tabata Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Seconds Interval Timer ships an update monthly, Tabata Timer every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 2, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Seconds Interval Timer versus Tabata Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSeconds Interval TimerTabata Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (24K ratings)4.9 (9.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews74.9% of reviews98.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24K — better9.2K
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRunloop LtdOleksandr Serhiienko

Customer experience

Seconds Interval Timer

All ratings23,673 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.9%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews1,245 reviews
Positive74.9%
Neutral6.2%
Negative18.9%

Tabata Timer

All ratings9,173 ratings
Positive99.0%
Neutral0.7%
Negative0.4%
Written reviews2,707 reviews
Positive98.3%
Neutral0.8%
Negative0.8%

User reviews

Seconds Interval Timer

From 24K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great workout app
  • 👍 Customizable and user-friendly
  • 🔒 Reliable and stable
  • 💡 Versatile for various workouts
  • 👍 Easy to create and edit timers

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional audio issues
  • 🔍 Limited Apple Watch integration
  • 💰 Paid version required for full functionality
  • 🕰️ Time-consuming to set up complex workouts

Tabata Timer

From 9.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 User-friendly
  • 🚀 Customizable workouts
  • 🔊 Clear audio cues
  • 💡 Ability to save multiple workouts
  • 🎵 Plays music in the background

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
  • 🔒 Limited free version (only 2 saved workouts)
  • 💰 Paid version required for more features
  • 🔀 Easy to accidentally skip intervals
  • 🔍 Cluttered interface for some users

Bugs and requests

Seconds Interval Timer

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Timer sometimes stops working unexpectedly
  • Issues with restoring purchases on new devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to change beep/alert volume independently
  • Option to delay transition between intervals
  • Sync workouts across devices
  • More preset workout templates
  • Heart rate monitoring integration

Tabata Timer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Workouts not saving properly
  • Sync issues between app and Apple Watch
  • Occasional freezing or restarting of device

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to name and save more workouts in free version
  • Option to add exercise images or videos
  • Sync workouts across devices
  • Customizable sounds and alerts
  • Workout history and progress tracking

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Seconds Interval Timer

One-time1
  • Advanced Version$7.99
5 purchases

Tabata Timer

Subscriptions4
  • Premium$1.491 Month
  • Premium$2.993 Months
  • Premium$4.496 Months
Show 1 more
  • Premium$7.491 Year
One-time1
  • Premium$9.99

Questions

Is Seconds Interval Timer free?
Seconds 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, Seconds Interval Timer or Tabata Timer?
Tabata Timer is rated higher. Seconds Interval Timer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Tabata Timer averages 4.9 from 9.2K ratings.
Do Seconds Interval Timer or Tabata Timer have ads?
Tabata Timer shows ads; Seconds Interval Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Seconds Interval Timer or Tabata Timer?
Seconds Interval Timer ships an update monthly, and Tabata Timer every 10 days. Most recently, Seconds Interval Timer was updated on October 2, 2026 and Tabata Timer on October 2, 2026.

Other comparisons