While vs Anka
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
While
This app provides a focused and distraction-free timer for experienced meditators. It offers a clean interface with customizable features to support your meditation sessions.
- Focused meditation timer
- Clean interface
- Customizable features
- Distraction-free sessions
- For experienced meditators
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The While timer is designed for experienced meditators who are seeking a focused tool for their practice. Offering a clean interface and customizable features, While supports your sessions without distractions.
Anka
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Anka is a professional interval and boxing timer built for high-intensity training. It delivers second-perfect timing for HIIT, Tabata, EMOM and boxing rounds, so you can focus on the work instead of your phone — guided by voice cues and vibration. WORKOUT TYPES • HIIT — Set work and rest periods exactly how you want them • Tabata — The classic 20 seconds work / 10 seconds rest protocol • EMOM — Every Minute on the Minute • Boxing — Ring timing with adjustable round and break lengths READY-MADE TEMPLATES Start with one tap. Tabata Classic, Classic HIIT, EMOM 10 and Boxing Round are included. Search templates by name or category and turn any of them into your own editable workout instantly. BUILD YOUR OWN WORKOUT Control every detail with the visual workout builder: • Work and rest durations • Round and set counts • Rest between sets • Optional warm-up and cool-down phases A live structure preview and total duration let you see the whole session before you save it. VOICE AND VIBRATION FEEDBACK • Voice guidance — Hear every phase change in English or Turkish (Warm-up, Work, Rest, Set Break, Cool-down) • Countdown beeps — Never miss the final seconds • Vibration — Feel phase changes and the finish • Start and pause feedback — Hear and feel every button press Keep your eyes off the screen and your head in the workout. RUNS IN THE BACKGROUND The timer keeps running while your screen is locked and plays cues over your own music. Even if you leave the app, every phase change and the finish reach you as a notification. There is also a keep-screen-on option for the whole session. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS • Current streak and record streak • Weekly training chart with minutes per day • Recent workout history: duration, estimated calories and time of day All of your data stays local on your device — no account required. FEATURES • Four workout types: HIIT, Tabata, EMOM, Boxing • Unlimited custom workouts you can create and edit • Ready-made interval templates with search • Voice guidance, countdown beeps and vibration • Background operation with notifications while locked • Keep-screen-on option • Streaks, weekly stats and workout history • English and Turkish language support • No account needed, data stays on device • Clean, distraction-free dark theme Make every second count with Anka. CrossFit, boxing or HIIT at home — the interval timer your training deserves.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Anka at none against While's 3. Anka also leads on update cadence (daily vs every 16 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Both are free to download. While sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.00 per month. Anka asks for nothing beyond the download.
While ships an update every 16 months, Anka daily. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | While | Anka |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (2 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 2 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 16 months | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 16.2 | 16.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 54 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mike LaVigne | Kadir BARC IN |
In-app purchases
While
- Monthly Subscription$2.001 Month
- Yearly Subscription$10.001 Year
- Lifetime Access$3.99
Anka
No in-app purchases









