# Laboratory Timer vs StartWatch

The clearest difference is update cadence: StartWatch at every 6 days against Laboratory Timer's every 3 months. Laboratory Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Laboratory Timer against 4.7 for StartWatch. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 47 and 49 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 92% of Laboratory Timer's written reviews are positive against 86% of StartWatch's.

Laboratory Timer ships an update every 3 months, StartWatch every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Laboratory Timer | StartWatch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (47 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laboratory-timer/id537195348/reviews) | [4.7 (49 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startwatch-instant-timers/id1537732824/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 47 | **49** |
| Positive reviews | **91.7% of reviews** | 85.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 7 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Vision Pro |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [shazino](https://appshunter.io/developer/529461205) | [Apostol & Hall](https://appshunter.io/developer/320592318) |

## What reviewers say

### Laboratory Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/laboratory-timer/id537195348)

Manage multiple countdown timers simultaneously for scientific experiments. This app features a user-friendly interface, the ability to save presets, and notifications when alarms sound. It also offers Apple Watch integration for real-time visualization and alerts.

**Highlights:** Run multiple timers concurrently, Save preset timers with names, Pause and resume timers, Receive alarm notifications, Apple Watch real-time visualization, User-friendly interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### StartWatch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startwatch-instant-timers/id1537732824)

This app allows you to start a stopwatch instantly and then convert it into a timer. You can run multiple timers and stopwatches simultaneously, with options to customize display and track past events. It offers advanced features like markers and live activities for efficient time management.

**Highlights:** Instant stopwatch start, Convert stopwatch to timer, Run multiple timers/stopwatches, Customize display units, History and undo functionality, Markers for elapsed time, Live Activities with Dynamic Island

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Laboratory Timer free?

Laboratory Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is StartWatch free?

StartWatch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Laboratory Timer or StartWatch?

Laboratory Timer and StartWatch are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 47 and 49 ratings respectively.

### Do Laboratory Timer or StartWatch have ads?

Neither Laboratory Timer nor StartWatch shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Laboratory Timer or StartWatch?

Laboratory Timer ships an update every 3 months, and StartWatch every 6 days. Most recently, Laboratory Timer was updated on October 2, 2026 and StartWatch on October 16, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*