Comparison

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

Interval Timer

This app provides a simple and intuitive interval timer for workouts like HIIT, EMOM, and CrossFit. It features quick setup, guiding tones and colors, and background functionality to keep you focused on your training.

Highlights
  • Instant interval setup
  • Guiding tones and colors
  • HealthKit integration
  • Background functionality
  • Save and sync favorite timers
  • Preparation countdown
  • Pause and resume workouts
Features
Read full description

Discover the World’s Simplest Interval Timer — Bit Timer gets you off your phone or watch and into your workout in no time. ---------------- Key Features: Instant Setup — With a clean, no-frills design, set your work, rest, and repeat intervals in seconds. Guiding Tones and Colors — Navigate your workout with distinct tones and colors for each phase, keeping you on track effortlessly. Seamless HealthKit Integration (watchOS) — Automatically save your workouts and close those rings with Apple Health integration. Background Functionality — Keep your workout going even when your phone is locked or you’re using other apps, thanks to sound and haptics. Favorites Sync — Save and sync your favorite timers across iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch for quick access. Why You’ll Love Bit Timer: - Quick Setup: Press and drag to set work, rest, and repeat intervals swiftly. - Preparation Countdown: Get ready with a 10-second countdown before your workout starts (3 seconds on Apple Watch). - Clear Audio Cues: Three distinct sounds indicate different stages of your workout, ensuring you stay on track. - Warning Tone: A countdown tone alerts you before the work phase begins. - Pause & Resume: Pause your workout anytime and resume right where you left off. - Easy Reset: Start from the beginning if interrupted, with a simple reset. ----------- Bit Timer promises to be the ‘World’s Simplest Interval Timer Ever.’ It is.” - Fast Company Design.* ----------- Privacy Policy: https://www.bittimer.com/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://www.bittimer.com/terms-of-service End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

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

Interval Timer4 screens
Tabata Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Interval Timer at none against Tabata Timer's shown. Tabata Timer's advantage is review sentiment (98% vs 77%) and ratings volume (9.2K vs 534). On price, rating, 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. Interval Timer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month 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. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Tabata Timer has 9.2K ratings behind it against 534, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 98% of Tabata Timer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Timer ships an update every 4 weeks, Tabata Timer every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Interval Timer versus Tabata Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval TimerTabata Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (534 ratings)4.9 (9.2K ratings) — better
Positive reviews76.8% of reviews98.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5349.2K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 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 iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPeiter BuickOleksandr Serhiienko

Customer experience

Interval Timer

All ratings530 ratings
Positive93.4%
Neutral1.7%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews185 reviews
Positive76.8%
Neutral7.0%
Negative16.2%

Tabata Timer

All ratings9,173 ratings
Positive99.0%
Neutral0.7%
Negative0.4%
Written reviews2,706 reviews
Positive98.3%
Neutral0.8%
Negative0.8%

User reviews

Interval Timer

From 534 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Simple and easy to use
  • 👍 Elegant and intuitive design
  • ✨ Effective for interval training
  • 💯 Works great for the basics

Room to improve

  • 🔒 Paid app now requires subscription
  • 💰 Asking users to pay again after initial purchase
  • 🔇 Audio cues too quiet
  • ⏱️ Limited to 4 minutes of work time

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

Interval Timer

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Timer continues counting down even after app is closed
  • Issues with music volume reduction while app is in use

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to save and load custom workout routines
  • Option to increase work interval duration beyond 4 minutes
  • Apple Watch app integration
  • More sound effect options

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

4 purchases

Interval Timer

Subscriptions3
  • Bit Timer Pro$1.991 Month
  • Bit Timer Pro$4.991 Year
  • Bit Timer Pro$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Bit Timer Pro Lifetime$17.99
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 Interval Timer free?
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, Interval Timer or Tabata Timer?
Tabata Timer is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.7 out of 5 from 534 ratings, while Tabata Timer averages 4.9 from 9.2K ratings.
Do Interval Timer or Tabata Timer have ads?
Tabata Timer shows ads; Interval Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Tabata Timer?
Interval Timer ships an update every 4 weeks, and Tabata Timer every 10 days. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on September 17, 2026 and Tabata Timer on September 24, 2026.

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