Comparison

Tabata Timer vs Live Timers on Lock Screen

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

Head to head
About

Tabata Timer

Features
Read full description

Tabata Timer is the cleanest, most intuitive interval timer for HIIT and Tabata workouts. Whether you're a beginner or an athlete, set up your workout in seconds and focus on what matters — training hard. FEATURES: - Tabata & HIIT timer - Custom work/rest intervals - Round tracking - Simple, distraction-free interface - Works offline Perfect for gym, home workouts, and outdoor training. Download free and start your first Tabata session today. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Live Timers on Lock Screen

Manage multiple timers efficiently from your iPhone's Lock Screen. This app offers distinct visual layouts and safety features to prevent accidental interruptions, with options for Apple Watch and Home Screen widgets.

Highlights
  • Lock Screen timer views
  • Distinguishable timers with colors
  • Countdown and end time display
  • Face ID protected actions
  • Apple Watch support
  • Saved common timers
  • Timers with notes
Features
Read full description

The app began with a simple problem: during busy, hands-full moments, I didn't have time to repeatedly unlock my iPhone and open an app just to check several timers. Apple's built-in Clock app works well for basic timing. The difficulty begins when several timers are running. Finding the right timer on the Lock Screen can require waking the screen, expanding the timer stack, and sorting through several similar-looking entries. Upcoming alarms are not shown there before they ring, so checking what is scheduled means opening Clock and switching to the Alarms tab. Lock Screen controls can also be triggered accidentally when an iPhone wakes as it is taken from a pocket, bag, or drawer. What began as a solution for busy, hands-full moments has since evolved into a complete timer board spanning the iPhone, Lock Screen, and Apple Watch. Why it's better Instead of sorting through a stack of similar-looking timers, you get: • One color-coded board containing countdowns, scheduled alarms, and notes • Lock Screen Snapshots showing names, colors, remaining time, and expected finish times • Spoken alerts that tell you what is ready without requiring you to look • Musical ringtones, recorded sounds, and custom alarms made from audio or video files • A native seven-slot Apple Watch board • Lock Screen controls protected by iPhone authentication, including Face ID, to help prevent accidental taps • Saved timer configurations and Markdown notes • Siri controls and Home Screen widgets Key features • Several timers, together on your Lock Screen See countdowns and upcoming scheduled alarms together, with names and colors that make them easy to tell apart. Know what is running, what finishes next, and what is scheduled without opening the app. Choose Standard for the full seven-slot board with a featured timer and its controls, or Three Rows for larger rows that prioritize the timers needing your attention most. • Check with little or no interaction Just wake your iPhone’s screen to check multiple timers at a glance, without unlocking it or opening the app. On supported iPhones, Always-On Display makes checking even easier: you can see your timers while the screen is dimmed. • Quick controls, protected while locked Start, pause, resume, stop, or add extra time directly from the Snapshot. iPhone authentication, including Face ID, helps prevent accidental actions while the phone is locked. You can also hide timer names and note text for privacy. • Talking alarms that tell you what is ready Hear "Time for your meeting" or "Your break is over" instead of wondering which timer rang. Write your own spoken message, choose from five speech speed levels and five volume levels, and preview it before saving. • Musical ringtones and custom alarm sounds Choose from quieter musical ringtones and louder alarms. Assign a different sound to each timer, record your own alert, or import an audio or video file from Files and use up to 29 seconds of its audio as a ringtone. • Set up once, use again Save everyday timer configurations so you don't have to recreate them. Keep notes beside your timers, with simple Markdown formatting to make important details stand out. • Your timer board on your wrist View all seven slots in the native Apple Watch app. Control timers, edit notes, and quickly load saved setups or configure new timers. Timer and note changes require a connection to the paired iPhone. • Hands-free controls and quick Home Screen checks Use Siri to start, pause, resume, stop, reset, restart, or extend timers by voice. Add Home Screen widgets to see your timers alongside your other everyday information. • Adjust when plans change Add fixed or automatically calculated extra time when a task needs longer. Switch iPhone alarms to a quieter sound when needed, including timers already running.

Screenshots

Tabata Timer4 screens
Live Timers on Lock Screen4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Tabata Timer at every 3 days against Live Timers on Lock Screen's weekly. Tabata Timer also leads on iOS requirement (18 vs 26.2). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Tabata Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Live Timers on Lock Screen sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Tabata Timer ships an update every 3 days, Live Timers on Lock Screen weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 5, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Tabata Timer versus Live Timers on Lock Screen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTabata TimerLive Timers on Lock Screen
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS18 — better26.2
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDenis DenisovCHAN SHUO WU

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Tabata Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Month$2.991 Month
  • Pro Year3 Days trial$17.991 Year
One-time1
  • LifiTime Pro$39.99
3 purchases

Live Timers on Lock Screen

One-time3
  • All Timer Slots$0.99
  • Palette Unlock$2.99
  • Buy Developer a Coffee$4.99

Questions

Is Tabata Timer free?
Tabata Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Live Timers on Lock Screen free?
Live Timers on Lock Screen is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Tabata Timer or Live Timers on Lock Screen have ads?
Neither Tabata Timer nor Live Timers on Lock Screen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Tabata Timer or Live Timers on Lock Screen?
Tabata Timer ships an update every 3 days, and Live Timers on Lock Screen weekly. Most recently, Tabata Timer was updated on September 5, 2026 and Live Timers on Lock Screen on September 14, 2026.

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