Comparison

Round vs Interval Timer

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

Head to head
About

Round

This interval timer is designed for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), Tabata, and circuit workouts. It allows users to create custom routines with multiple exercises and track their progress. The app offers haptic alerts and can be controlled from an Apple Watch.

Highlights
  • Customizable interval routines
  • HIIT, Tabata, and circuit training support
  • Apple Watch control
  • Haptic alerts for round changes
  • Visual arc timer
  • Workout progress tracking
  • Apple Health integration
Features
Read full description

Round is a visual interval timer for HIIT, Tabata, circuit training, strength workouts, mobility, and stretching. TRAIN WITH 3D MOVEMENT GUIDES Choose from 71 exercises and see each movement in 3D while building your routine and while the timer runs. Side-specific and alternating exercises are handled clearly, so you always know what comes next. BUILD A ROUTINE IN SECONDS • Start with a ready-made template or build from the exercise catalog • Reorder, duplicate, edit, and delete steps directly • Add custom exercises with your own name and emoji • Set work, step rest, set rest, preparation, and number of sets STAY FOCUSED • Follow the 3D animation or switch to a larger remaining-time display • See your current step, progress, and upcoming lineup at a glance • Audio and haptic cues announce every transition WORKS WITH WATCH Control your workout from your wrist and receive haptic cues without reaching for your iPhone. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS • Sessions are logged automatically • Review total training time, streaks, and your most-used routines • Save workouts to Apple Health • Delete individual history entries whenever needed No account. No ads. Fully offline.

About

Interval Timer

Features
Read full description

Whether you're settling in to focus or about to move, this is one interval timer for both. Switch between Focus mode and Workout mode with a single tap, and each one greets you with its own timing defaults, color, and wording. In Focus mode the work phase is called "Focus"; in Workout mode it's "Work." Breaks are called "Breathe" and "Long Break" — no mechanical countdown language, just a bit of warmth while you push through. ■ Who it's for - Anyone using the Pomodoro Technique to focus on study or work - Anyone timing HIIT or Tabata-style workouts - Anyone who needs phase changes to actually reach them while the phone is locked - Anyone tired of timer apps buried in ads ■ Free features - Pomodoro preset (25 min work / 5 min break, 15 min long break every 4 sets, 8 sets total) - HIIT preset (fully customizable duration and set count) - Custom work time, rest time, and set count - Start, Pause, Reset, Skip - Sound + haptic + notification on every phase change — arrives even when the screen is locked - Save 1 custom preset - Screen stays awake while the timer runs - Session summary screen after the final set - Available in Japanese, English, and Simplified Chinese ■ Pro features (one-time purchase, no subscription) - Unlimited custom presets - History & Stats (today / this week / all-time focus totals, a 7-day chart, and a session log) - Focus BGM (16 tracks to choose from, continuous play and volume control) - No ads - Restore Purchases supported Timing is calculated from elapsed seconds since start, not a countdown that decrements — so coming back from the background or a locked screen never leaves the display out of sync.

Screenshots

Round4 screens
Interval Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Round at none against Interval Timer's 1. Round also leads on ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Interval Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Round asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Round ships an update weekly, Interval Timer every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Round versus Interval Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRoundInterval Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRyosuke NakayamaKatsunobu Sunagawa

In-app purchases

None

Round

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Interval Timer

One-time1
  • Interval Timer Pro$1.99

Questions

Is Round free?
Round is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Interval Timer free?
Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Round or Interval Timer have ads?
Interval Timer shows ads; Round does not.
Which is updated more often, Round or Interval Timer?
Round ships an update weekly, and Interval Timer every 9 days. Most recently, Round was updated on October 10, 2026 and Interval Timer on October 4, 2026.

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