Top Set Timer vs BarbellBeat
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Top Set Timer
This workout timer helps you manage rest and intervals for strength training. It offers flexible modes for self-paced sets, HIIT, and EMOM, allowing you to focus on your workout without watching the clock. It runs in the background and notifies you when it's time for the next set.
- Flexible rest timer for strength sets
- HIIT and EMOM interval modes
- Background operation and notifications
- Supports strength, powerlifting, and conditioning
- Simple, no-frills interface
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Top Set Timer is a no frills workout timer with one job: keeping your rest and intervals on track so you can focus on training. Unlike most timers on the App Store that are designed for HIIT programs and force fixed work and rest blocks, Top Set Timer is built for real strength sessions where sets take as long as they take. Finish your set, rack the bar, then tap once to start your rest. When the timer goes off, you are ready for the next set. When you want more structure, switch to HIIT or EMOM modes for classic interval work. Use it for barbell strength programs, powerlifting, bodyweight and calisthenics sessions, sprints and hill runs, or conditioning blocks in the gym. Top Set Timer includes three modes: Rest mode lets you start the timer only when you finish a set, ideal for longer 2 to 5 minute rests or any self paced work. HIIT mode runs repeated work and rest intervals for conditioning and finishers. EMOM mode keeps every minute on the minute, or any interval you choose, locked in for focused training blocks. Top Set Timer keeps track of your rests even when it's off the screen. If you navigate away the timer will continue to run in the background and will notify you when its time to get back to work. Top Set Timer keeps your rest honest and your intervals consistent so you can train harder, recover better, and stop staring at the clock.
BarbellBeat
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There's one question I kept coming back to during my workouts. Why does everyone rest for the same amount of time? Some people recover fully in 60 seconds. For others, their heart rate is still elevated after 90. Yet most training still runs on a fixed timer. So I made this. BarbellBeat uses your Apple Watch to track how your heart rate recovers between sets, and tells you when you're ready for the next one. - Real-time heart rate recovery tracking - Haptic alert the moment you've recovered - Every workout and rest interval saved automatically Train by recovery, not by the timer.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: BarbellBeat at none against Top Set Timer's 1. BarbellBeat also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs fortnightly). 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. Top Set Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. BarbellBeat asks for nothing beyond the download.
Top Set Timer ships an update fortnightly, BarbellBeat every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Top Set Timer | BarbellBeat |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 6 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Greg McInnes | Tayon Kim |
In-app purchases
Top Set Timer
- Top Set Timer Pro$2.99
BarbellBeat
No in-app purchases









