ChainFlow vs Circuit Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ChainFlow
Create highly customized interval timers for any routine, from HIIT workouts to study sessions. Set unique work and rest periods for each segment, with clear audio cues and a distraction-free interface. Save your routines for easy access and hands-free operation.
- Custom interval chaining
- Adjustable work/rest times per interval
- Clear audio cues
- Hands-free operation
- Screen-off functionality
- Routine saving
- Dark interface
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A custom interval timer for routines where every interval can be different. Most workout timers are built around repeating the same work and rest periods. ChainFlow lets you build the exact sequence you need, with individual timing for every step. Create HIIT workouts, circuit training sessions, stretching and mobility routines, boxing rounds, exercise sequences, drawing practice, focus sessions, and more. BUILD ANY ROUTINE Add as many intervals as you need. Give each one its own name and timing, then drag them into the exact order you want. START FAST WITH TEMPLATES Begin with ready-made HIIT, Tabata, Boxing, Morning Mobility, Pomodoro, and Gesture Drawing templates—or start completely from scratch. Every template becomes a normal ChainFlow routine you can fully edit. HANDS-FREE TIMING Hit Start and focus on what you're doing instead of watching the clock. ChainFlow automatically moves through your sequence and gives you clear audio cues at each transition. • Works while your phone is locked or ChainFlow is in the background • Live Activities and Dynamic Island support • See your current interval and what comes next • Pause, skip forward, or return to the previous interval • Optional 3-2-1 countdown before starting • Works alongside music, podcasts, and other audio • Optional audio ducking during cues BUILD ONCE. USE IT AGAIN. Save your favorite routines, duplicate individual intervals or entire chains, reorder them anytime, and quickly adjust a routine for your next session. ChainFlow works especially well when your routine doesn't fit a rigid repeating timer: • Custom interval workouts • Circuit training • HIIT and Tabata • Stretching and mobility • Boxing and round training • Exercise and strength training • Yoga and meditation sequences • Gesture and figure drawing practice • Pomodoro and focus sessions Whether you're training, stretching, drawing, studying, or building a routine of your own, ChainFlow keeps the timing out of your head so you can stay in the flow.
Circuit Timer
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Build custom interval training circuits and run them with precision timing, voice announcements, and haptic feedback. CREATE YOUR PERFECT WORKOUT Design circuits with unlimited intervals, each with its own name, duration, and alarm sound. Set loop counts on individual intervals or the entire circuit. Choose from 24 alarm sounds, enable voice countdown, or both. STAY IN THE ZONE A full-screen player with a progress ring, countdown timer, and interval timeline keeps you focused. The last 3 seconds pulse to keep you ready for what's next. Voice announcements call out interval names so you never have to look at your screen. NEVER MISS A BEAT Live Activities put your timer on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. Background notifications keep you on track even when you switch apps. Start circuits hands-free with Siri. APPLE WATCH Run circuits from your wrist with real-time heart rate zones, active calories, and haptic alerts. Your watch keeps going even when the screen dims with Always-On Display support. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS View workout history with streaks, completion stats, and total training time. Save workouts to Apple Health as High Intensity Interval Training sessions. FREE TO START - 1 circuit with full features — alarms, haptics, voice, history CORE UPGRADE - Unlimited circuits - iCloud sync across devices - Apple Health integration PRO UPGRADE - Everything in Core - Apple Watch companion app Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Circuit Timer at monthly against ChainFlow's every 2 months. ChainFlow's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. ChainFlow sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Circuit Timer sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ChainFlow ships an update every 2 months, Circuit Timer monthly. Both last shipped on October 5, 2026.
| Parameter | ChainFlow | Circuit Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 22 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Michael Ebako-Hodgson | Lawman Services, LLC |
In-app purchases
ChainFlow
- ChainFlow Pro$4.99
Circuit Timer
- Core$2.99
- Pro$4.99
Questions
Is ChainFlow free?
Is Circuit Timer free?
Do ChainFlow or Circuit Timer have ads?
Which is updated more often, ChainFlow or Circuit Timer?
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