Comparison

Seconds Interval Timer vs Tap 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

Tap Timer

This app provides silent, precise interval timing using haptic feedback directly on your wrist. Create custom workouts with a drag-and-drop editor and run them independently on your smartwatch. It seamlessly integrates with health tracking for a discreet and powerful timing experience.

Highlights
  • Custom haptic intervals
  • Drag & drop interval editor
  • Standalone Apple Watch operation
  • Health & Activity Rings integration
  • Silent, discreet timing
  • Versatile workout and focus modes
Features
Read full description

FEEL YOUR TIME — SILENT & PRECISE. - Discreet: Haptic signals right on your wrist — no sound, no screen-checking. - Standalone: Runs 100% natively on Apple Watch — leave your iPhone behind. - Powerful: Build complex intervals in seconds using drag and drop. - Versatile: HIIT, Tabata, CrossFit, MMA, Pomodoro, breathwork and more. Welcome to Tap Timer — the silent interval timer you feel on your wrist. Forget distracting alarms and beeps. Tap Timer uses the Taptic Engine of your Apple Watch to deliver precise, silent vibration patterns for every phase change. In a loud gym, a quiet library, a boxing ring, or a breathwork practice: you feel exactly where you are in your routine without ever looking at a screen. BUILD COMPLEX INTERVALS From a standard Tabata, heavy lifting session, or kettlebell workout to CrossFit WODs, pilates, and circuit training. Structure your workout timer on iPhone using an intuitive drag-and-drop editor. Everything syncs instantly to your wrist via iCloud. No accounts, no subscriptions, no setup. DISTINCT HAPTIC FEEDBACK Assign distinct vibration alerts for your prep countdown, work phase, rest timer, and cool-down. Keep it subtle for a meditation timer or breathwork, or sharp and distinct for a boxing or MMA training session. WRIST-FIRST EXPERIENCE Built specifically for Apple Watch. Leave your iPhone in the locker room. Tap Timer runs entirely standalone on your watch as a true watch timer — no phone required mid-session. KEY FEATURES ► Custom Haptic Alerts: Configure vibration patterns for every interval block. ► Drag & Drop Editor: Effortlessly structure fitness routines, focus blocks, or breathing sequences. ► Standalone Apple Watch App: Completely independent execution on your wrist. ► Apple Health Integration: Logs heart rate, active minutes, and workout types directly to your Activity Rings. ► Privacy First: Zero tracking. No ads. All data stays in your private iCloud. IDEAL USE CASES - Fitness & Combat Sports: HIIT, Tabata, EMOM, AMRAP, MMA, boxing, weight lifting, and round timer setups. - Cardio & Movement: Running intervals, crossfit, pilates, and stretching routines. - Productivity & Focus: Pomodoro technique, timeboxing, and deep work sessions. - Public Speaking: Silent speech timer and presentation pacing. - Mindfulness: Guided breathwork, yoga, and quiet meditation timer routines. PRICING Free to download. Unlock full access via a single, one-time purchase. No subscriptions, ever. End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Seconds Interval Timer4 screens
Tap Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Tap Timer at 100% against Seconds Interval Timer's 75%. Tap Timer also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and update cadence (fortnightly vs monthly). Seconds Interval Timer's advantage is ratings volume (24K vs 1). On price, ads, 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 Tap Timer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Tap Timer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Seconds Interval Timer has 24K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Seconds Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Tap Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Seconds Interval Timer ships an update monthly, Tap Timer fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Seconds Interval Timer versus Tap Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSeconds Interval TimerTap Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (24K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews74.6% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings24K — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRunloop LtdMax Lottermoser

Customer experience

Seconds Interval Timer

All ratings23,711 ratings
Positive93.0%
Neutral1.9%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews1,271 reviews
Positive74.6%
Neutral6.4%
Negative19.0%

Tap Timer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Tap Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Seconds Interval Timer

One-time1
  • Advanced Version$7.99
4 purchases

Tap Timer

Subscriptions3
  • Premium Access (Weekly)$0.997 Days
  • Premium Access (Monthly)$2.991 Month
  • Premium Access (Annual)$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Access (Lifetime)$6.99

Questions

Is Seconds Interval Timer free?
Seconds Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Tap Timer free?
Tap Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Seconds Interval Timer or Tap Timer?
Tap Timer is rated higher. Seconds Interval Timer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 24K ratings, while Tap Timer averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Seconds Interval Timer or Tap Timer have ads?
Neither Seconds Interval Timer nor Tap Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Seconds Interval Timer or Tap Timer?
Seconds Interval Timer ships an update monthly, and Tap Timer fortnightly. Most recently, Seconds Interval Timer was updated on October 15, 2026 and Tap Timer on October 9, 2026.

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