SetBySet vs Mariabs · Interval Timer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SetBySet
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SetBySet is a focused strength training tracker built for lifters who want to log workouts quickly and effectively. WORKOUT TEMPLATES Create custom workout templates with your favorite exercises. Choose from a built-in exercise library or add your own. Set target reps, time-based goals (for planks, carries, etc.), or train to failure. Customize rest times between sets and exercises. Duplicate templates to create variations fast. Tap any exercise to edit sets, reps, target type, and rest times. TRACK EVERY SET During a workout, log weight, reps, or duration for each set. A built-in rest timer keeps you on pace with customizable rest periods per exercise. APPLE WATCH Sync your templates to Apple Watch and run workouts from your wrist. Adjust weight with the Digital Crown, log sets with a tap, and get haptic alerts when rest is over. Completed workouts sync back to your iPhone and save to Apple Health automatically. PROGRESS & HISTORY View your full workout history with detailed stats. Track body weight over time. See your estimated one-rep max and how your lifts are progressing. Get notified when you hit a new personal record. BUILT-IN TOOLS - Plate Calculator with visual barbell display - One Rep Max calculator with training zone guide - Body Weight tracker with trend charts - Rest timer with background notifications - Workout sharing as text or image cards APPLE ECOSYSTEM - Apple Watch companion with full workout logging - Lock Screen Live Activity during workouts - Home Screen widget showing your streak - Apple Health integration (workouts, heart rate, body weight) - iCloud sync across all your devices EXPORT & BACKUP Export all your data as JSON. Import it back anytime. Your training history is always yours. SETBYSET PRO Upgrade once to unlock unlimited workout templates, progress charts, data export, iCloud sync, and Apple Watch support. No subscriptions — pay once, own it forever. SetBySet is private and built for lifters. No accounts required. Just you and the iron.
Mariabs · Interval Timer
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Mari is a sharp, minimal interval timer for anyone who trains in rounds — tabata, HIIT, EMOM, circuits, or your own custom intervals. Set your prepare, work, rest, cycles, blocks, and block-rest durations in seconds. Press the white play button. Mari counts you in, calls out each phase, and chimes the final 3-2-1 of every interval so you can keep your eyes on what you're doing instead of on the screen. WHAT YOU GET • Six adjustable parameters: prepare, work, rest, cycles per block, number of blocks, and rest between blocks • Voice cues for every transition: "Prepare", "Work", "Rest", and "Block complete — get ready for the next" • Distinct musical chimes per phase, generated on-device, synced with light haptics • 3-2-1 countdown ticks before each phase change • Big, monochrome timer dial with a subtle progress ring tinted to the current phase • Cycle and block progress shown at all times so you always know where you are • Plays over your music — Spotify, Apple Music, podcasts — and ducks them only when Mari speaks • Stays awake automatically while a workout is running • Settings remembered between launches DESIGNED TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY The screen is dark, glanceable from across a gym, and built around one button. There are no menus, no levels, no streaks, no badges, no analytics. You configure once, then press play. PRIVACY Mari collects nothing. No account. No email. No analytics. No tracking. Your settings stay on your device. The privacy policy is one page; you can read it before you tap install. NO ADS Mari has no ads, no in-app purchases, and no premium tier. No account required.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Mariabs · Interval Timer at none against SetBySet's 1. Mariabs · Interval Timer also leads on iOS requirement (16.2 vs 26.0). SetBySet's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 days). On price, ads 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. SetBySet sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Mariabs · Interval Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.
SetBySet ships an update every 2 days, Mariabs · Interval Timer every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SetBySet | Mariabs · Interval Timer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 2 days — better | Every 6 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 16.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 11 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | PragmaTec | PER MAGNE HELSETH |
In-app purchases
SetBySet
- SetBySet Pro$5.99
Mariabs · Interval Timer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SetBySet free?
Is Mariabs · Interval Timer free?
Do SetBySet or Mariabs · Interval Timer have ads?
Which is updated more often, SetBySet or Mariabs · Interval Timer?
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