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 your own interval circuits for HIIT, Tabata, boxing rounds, EMOM and circuit training, then run them with precise timing, voice announcements, sounds and haptics. CREATE YOUR PERFECT WORKOUT Design circuits with unlimited intervals, each with its own name, duration and alarm sound. Repeat single intervals or the whole circuit, by count or for a set time. Choose from 24 alarm sounds, a spoken countdown, or both. STAY IN THE ZONE A full-screen player with a progress ring, countdown and interval timeline keeps you focused. The final seconds of each interval pulse so you're ready for what's next, and voice announcements call out each interval by name, so you never have to look at your screen. TRAIN WITH YOUR MUSIC Interval sounds play over your music instead of pausing it. The current interval and countdown stay on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island, and cues keep working through phone calls. Start any circuit hands-free with Siri. APPLE WATCH Run circuits from your wrist with live heart rate, heart rate zones, active calories and a tap at every interval change. Starting a workout on your iPhone? Your watch follows along with the same taps and your heart rate. A Smart Stack card keeps the current interval in view, even with the app closed. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS See your workout history with streaks, completion stats and total training time. Save workouts to Apple Health as High Intensity Interval Training. FREE TO START • 1 circuit with every feature: alarms, haptics, voice and history CORE UPGRADE • Unlimited circuits • iCloud sync across your devices • Apple Health PRO UPGRADE • Everything in Core • Apple Watch app Both upgrades are one-time purchases. No subscription. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: ChainFlow at 17.0 against Circuit Timer's 26.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ChainFlow | Circuit Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 weeks — 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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