Comparison

Repeat Timer vs Periodic Timer

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

Head to head
About

Repeat Timer

This app provides a simple and effective way to set up recurring reminders for various tasks and routines. It features customizable timers, optional interval cycles, and background operation with visual and audio notifications.

Highlights
  • Customizable repeating timers
  • Optional interval timer cycles
  • Background operation with notifications
  • Multiple alert sounds
  • Visual and audio alerts
  • Precise duration setting
Features
Read full description

The #1 best-selling repeating timer app since 2013 with over 500,000 downloads, Repeat Timer is a simple recurring reminder for all of your repeating tasks and routines – taking your medications, getting up from your desk to stretch, cooking, yoga and meditation, TV time for kids, workouts and more! –– Easy to use: Simply name your timer, set the main timer duration, choose number of repeats and press Start! –– Optional interval timer: Use the optional interval timer that runs between main timer cycles (for example, 2min – 30sec – 2min – 30sec – 2min). Great for interval workouts! –– Works in the background: Run your timer while using other apps or with the phone in sleep mode. You’ll get hands-free visual and audio notifications that you don’t need to stop or dismiss. Downloaded over 600,000 times, our Repeat Timer apps are relied on daily by parents, teachers, coaches and more around the world. Get the app and join them to stay on track with your routines, minimize stress and make your days more productive and efficient! Download Repeat Timer today to streamline all of your routines: ––––––––––––––––––––––– • Easily configure and start your timers in seconds • Repeat timer cycles up to 5 times (up to 99 when you unlock Pro) • See your timer title in notification alerts to avoid confusing them • Choose from 15 high quality alert sounds, including voice commands (40 in Pro) • Engage the optional interval timer for more versatility • Runs in the background with sound and notification alerts • Enjoy the beautiful interface with animations and sound effects • Set your precise duration to the second Thousands of people use Repeat Timer every day: ––––––––––––––––––––––– • Fitness enthusiasts use it for interval, tabata and circuit workouts • Teachers use it to time quizzes, breaks and classroom activities • Coaches use it for drills and practice sessions • Students use it for flash cards study, exams and more • Office workers use it as a reminder to get up and stretch every hour and to look away from the screen to relax your eyes every 20 minutes • Yogis use it for practice and meditation • Parents use it for TV and computer time for the kids • Seniors use it to remember to take their medications and to measure their blood sugar • Productive people use it for the Pomodoro® technique to time work/break intervals Lite / Pro differences: – 1 timer / Up to 10 timers – 5 repeats / 99 repeats – 15 alert sounds / 50 alert sounds Try Lite free and easily upgrade to Pro via in-app purchase. Thank you for taking a look and enjoy! Subscription terms: - The subscription auto-renews at the end of each term. - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. - The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. - You may manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Privacy policy and Terms of Use: https://www.repeattimerapp.com/privacy/

About

Periodic Timer

This app provides a simple, repeating interval timer that can run in the background without distracting you. It offers customizable alerts, quick start options, and prevents your screen from locking while active. Ideal for various activities like fitness, cooking, and learning.

Highlights
  • Repeating interval timer
  • Background operation
  • Customizable alerts (vibration/sound)
  • Prevent lockscreen
  • Shake to start
  • Multiple timer output modes
Features
Read full description

Keep track of time without being distracted by the device! Simple and easy timer that repeats at your chosen interval. FEATURES - Vibration, if sound is off. - Works in the background. - 3 timer output modes: intervals, total time, countdown. - You can cancel or pause the timer with help of a notification. - Quick Start from icon. - Shake To Start - can be enabled in settings. - Prevent Lockscreen - another useful setting, the screen will not lock, while the timer is running. USE CASES Here is a list of known use cases based on the real feedback: Fitness and health: - Stretching - Stationary bicycle (interval training) - On a treadmill - For HIIT - Jogging - Timed medication - Boxing Cooking - While frying potatoes - Roasting steaks - Checking an over or a grill to prevent burning Learning & science - Foreign language learning - As a lab timer - Periodic data collection - Speech training - Presentation timing Other - Mindfulness - Communication - To have a sense of time flying away :) HELP Q: Why the timer doesn't work in the background? A: You should allow notifications. Q: How to turn off the sound and turn on the vibration? A: On the device, turn the Silent Mode on. (Side Switch) Q: Alert is limited for 5 seconds! A: Go to Settings app, then Periodic Timer > Notifications > Banner Style > Persistent. Q: How to switch the Timer Output Mode? A: To switch the Output Mode touch the timer display at the top of the screen. Q: What is Shake To Start for? A: Shake To Start setting allows to start/cancel the timer by shaking the device. Thus, you don't touch the screen, what can be useful while cooking, for example. In order for this mode to work, the app should be open. If you still have questions or suggestions, you can visit the support page (https://goo.gl/forms/pggVBcaBxdW85EGE3), the Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/PeriodicTimer/) or you can email me (periodictimer.sup@gmail.com). If you like the app - please, rate it!

Screenshots

Repeat Timer3 screens
Periodic Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against Repeat Timer's 7. Repeat Timer's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (7.4K vs 167). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Repeat Timer sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Repeat Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Repeat Timer has 7.4K ratings behind it against 167, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Repeat Timer's written reviews are positive against 52% of Periodic Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Repeat Timer ships an update monthly, Periodic Timer every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Repeat Timer versus Periodic Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRepeat TimerPeriodic Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (7.4K ratings) — better4.1 (167 ratings)
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews — better52.1% of reviews
Number of ratings7.4K — better167
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size99 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperApplorium LtdVladimir Kelin

Customer experience

Repeat Timer

All ratings7,381 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral3.9%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews375 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral7.2%
Negative28.5%

Periodic Timer

All ratings167 ratings
Positive75.4%
Neutral6.0%
Negative18.6%
Written reviews140 reviews
Positive52.1%
Neutral10.7%
Negative37.1%

Bugs and requests

Repeat Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Periodic Timer

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Sound/notifications fail to trigger despite settings enabled
  • Timer cancels when phone is shaken or moved
  • Vibration doesn't work when screen is locked or off
  • App crashes on launch (especially after updates)
  • Watch app crashes or doesn't function
Show 7 more
  • Notifications inconsistent on Apple Watch
  • Timer speed inaccurate (runs too fast)
  • App won't open after deletion and reinstall
  • Upgrade popup spams every second, making app unusable
  • Heart rate monitor stays active, draining battery
  • Vibration doesn't work on silent mode
  • Watch green light stays on continuously

Requested features

15 requests
  • Adjustable sound volume and custom alert sounds
  • Customizable vibration patterns
  • Settings menu for user preferences
  • Ability to add notes/labels to timers
  • Seconds-only timer option
Show 10 more
  • Simple countdown timer (non-repeating)
  • Separate exercise and rest period intervals
  • Start timer at specific time of day
  • Disable sound option for silent vibration-only mode
  • Prevent screen lock while timer is running
  • Apple Watch vibration support
  • Seconds increment option (not just minutes)
  • Better Apple Watch complications and integration
  • Free trial period before purchase requirement
  • Disable shake-to-cancel functionality

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Repeat Timer

Subscriptions4
  • Repeat Timer Pro3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Repeat Timer Pro$3.991 Month
  • Repeat Timer Pro3 Days trial$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Repeat Timer Pro$19.991 Year
One-time3
  • RT Pro customers' upgrade$9.99
  • Upgrade to Pro$19.99
  • Upgrade to Pro$39.99
None

Periodic Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Repeat Timer free?
Repeat Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Periodic Timer free?
Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Repeat Timer or Periodic Timer?
Repeat Timer is rated higher. Repeat Timer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 7.4K ratings, while Periodic Timer averages 4.1 from 167 ratings.
Do Repeat Timer or Periodic Timer have ads?
Neither Repeat Timer nor Periodic Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Repeat Timer or Periodic Timer?
Repeat Timer ships an update monthly, and Periodic Timer every 2 months. Most recently, Repeat Timer was updated on September 24, 2026 and Periodic Timer on September 24, 2026.

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