Comparison

Seconds Interval Timer vs Buddy 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

Buddy Timer

Features
Read full description

From high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to deep work sessions using the Pomodoro Technique, Buddy Timer is designed to optimize every second of your time. Whether your phone is across the room or you're blasting your favorite workout playlist, Buddy Timer keeps you on track with intuitive guidance. 【Versatile for Every Scene】 - For Fitness: Perfect for HIIT, Tabata, CrossFit, and managing rest intervals during your daily strength training. - For Focus: Ideal for the Pomodoro Technique (25 minutes of focus, 5 minutes of rest). Visual color cues help your brain switch modes seamlessly. - Simple & Offline: No tedious registration required. Whether you’re in a basement gym or off the grid, your "Buddy" is ready to start the moment you open the app. 【Key Features】 - Visual Timer: Large countdown display with dynamic color changes—see your status at a glance, even from a distance. - Smart Guidance: Calm, integrated voice navigation that works perfectly alongside your music. - Custom Routines: Save your personalized combinations of work, rest, and sets. - Quick Start: Launch your favorite presets with a single tap. 【Recommended For】 - Athletes looking to push their limits with HIIT or Tabata. - Students and professionals aiming to boost productivity via Pomodoro. - Anyone who wants to stay active while listening to Spotify or Apple Music. - Users who need to track time visually while keeping their phone at a distance. Experience a new level of focus. Start your journey with Buddy Timer today. -------- Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Seconds Interval Timer4 screens
Buddy Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Seconds Interval Timer at none against Buddy Timer's shown. Buddy Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Seconds Interval Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Buddy Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Seconds Interval Timer ships an update monthly, Buddy Timer every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Seconds Interval Timer versus Buddy Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSeconds Interval TimerBuddy Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (24K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews74.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings24K — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size95 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRunloop LtdWATARU SHINDOU

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

Buddy Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Seconds Interval Timer

One-time1
  • Advanced Version$7.99
2 purchases

Buddy Timer

Subscriptions1
  • Buddy Timer Pro$0.991 Month
One-time1
  • Buddy Timer Pro$9.99

Questions

Is Seconds Interval Timer free?
Seconds Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Buddy Timer free?
Buddy Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Seconds Interval Timer or Buddy Timer have ads?
Buddy Timer shows ads; Seconds Interval Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Seconds Interval Timer or Buddy Timer?
Seconds Interval Timer ships an update monthly, and Buddy Timer every 2 weeks. Most recently, Seconds Interval Timer was updated on October 20, 2026 and Buddy Timer on October 7, 2026.

Other comparisons