Comparison

HIIT Timer vs Shift

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

Head to head
About

HIIT Timer

Features
Read full description

The simple Tabata timer and HIIT timer for every workout. HIIT Timer is an interval timer built for Tabata, HIIT, circuit training, boxing rounds, running intervals, strength training and home workouts. Set your work and rest times, choose your sets and rounds, and let voice cues and a clear countdown guide you, so you can focus on the exercise, not the clock. FREE FEATURES - Custom interval timer: multiple sets, each with its own work and rest time, plus rounds and an optional final rest - Classic Tabata timer in one tap: 20 seconds of work, 10 seconds of rest, 8 rounds, 4 minutes - Voice cues and reminders for every phase, with a 3- or 5-second countdown - Vibration alerts, so you can train without watching the screen - 4 background music tracks and 3 sound modes: music + cues, cues only (play your own music), or silent with vibration - Workout summary after every completed workout - Big landscape countdown clock you can read from across the gym - Screen stays on while the workout timer runs - Dark mode, light mode, English and Traditional Chinese HIIT TIMER PRO (one-time purchase, not a subscription) - More quick workouts: Beginner and Advanced HIIT, Boxing Rounds, Stretching and Free Mode - My Workouts: save, favorite, rename and duplicate your routines - Name each exercise and reorder sets with ▲▼ - Warm-up and cool-down before and after your training - Advanced voice: halfway reminders, next-exercise announcements, speech rate and voice choice - Screen lock to prevent accidental taps - Workout history with weekly, monthly and yearly stats GREAT FOR - Tabata and HIIT workouts at home or at the gym - Circuit training, core workouts and plank intervals - Boxing rounds and sparring timers - Running intervals, sprints and endurance training - Strength training, weightlifting rest timers and stretching PRIVATE AND OFFLINE - No account needed. Your workout settings and history are stored on your device - The timer works offline; buying or restoring Pro needs an internet connection - Already bought Pro? Use Restore Purchases on a new device This app is a timing tool and does not provide medical advice. Start your first round today!

About

Shift

This interval timer app simplifies workout setup with customizable work, rest, and repeat cycles. It offers background timing, voice cues, and a live activity display for seamless tracking. Your workout history is stored locally for easy recall.

Highlights
  • Customizable work, rest, and repeat intervals
  • Background workout timing
  • Voice cues and tone options
  • Live Activity on Lock Screen/Dynamic Island
  • Workout history stored locally
  • Sideways workout display option
Features
Read full description

Shift is an interval timer made as simple as possible (but not any simpler). Set up in seconds: • Work • Rest • Repeat How long you exercise – how long you recover – how many rounds. That’s all. Tap Start and Shift takes it from there. Finished workouts stay in History, so your last workout can be your next preset. Load it and go. A few essentials: • Voice cues or simple tones that don’t lower your music • Keeps time in the background • A Live Activity on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island • A workout display you can turn sideways • Made for iPhone, iPhone Duo and iPad Completely free. No ads, no paywall, no subscriptions. No accounts or tracking. Your workout history stays on your device.

Screenshots

HIIT Timer4 screens
Shift4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Shift at none against HIIT Timer's 1. Shift also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 15 months). HIIT Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26). On price, 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. HIIT Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Shift asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HIIT Timer ships an update every 15 months, Shift every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 8, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
HIIT Timer versus Shift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHIIT TimerShift
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.1 — better26
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB52 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperPO CHUN LIUJorick van Meijeren

In-app purchases

1 purchases

HIIT Timer

One-time1
  • HIIT Timer Pro$5.99
None

Shift

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HIIT Timer free?
HIIT Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Shift free?
Shift is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do HIIT Timer or Shift have ads?
Neither HIIT Timer nor Shift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HIIT Timer or Shift?
HIIT Timer ships an update every 15 months, and Shift every 5 days. Most recently, HIIT Timer was updated on November 8, 2026 and Shift on November 8, 2026.

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