Session vs Shift
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Session
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Session is the interval training timer that adapts to YOUR sport. Whether you're running, doing HIIT, Tabata, or any other interval workout, Session lets you build fully customized workouts: number of reps, length of each phase, type of effort (sprint, recovery, endurance, exercise, warm-up). WHY SESSION? • 100% custom workouts — create as many phases as you want, in any order you want • Real-time visual timeline — see exactly where you are in your workout at a glance • Customizable alerts — sound, vibration, or voice guidance so you stay focused without looking at your screen • Works with the screen locked — start your workout, pocket your phone, go • Music-friendly — alerts come through clearly, even over your playlist • No sign-up required — open the app and go, no account needed • Free, no ads, no in-app purchases WHO IS IT FOR? Runners, athletes in conditioning, interval trainers, HIIT and Tabata fans, or anyone who needs a reliable, simple interval timer. Your data stays on your phone. No account, no ad tracking. Your sport. Your pace. Your Session.
Shift
This interval timer app simplifies workout setup with customizable work, rest, and repeat cycles. It offers background timing, voice cues, and a live activity display for seamless tracking. Your workout history is stored locally for easy recall.
- Customizable work, rest, and repeat intervals
- Background workout timing
- Voice cues and tone options
- Live Activity on Lock Screen/Dynamic Island
- Workout history stored locally
- Sideways workout display option
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Shift is an interval timer made as simple as possible (but not any simpler). Set up in seconds: • Work • Rest • Repeat How long you exercise – how long you recover – how many rounds. That’s all. Tap Start and Shift takes it from there. Finished workouts stay in History, so your last workout can be your next preset. Load it and go. A few essentials: • Voice cues or simple tones that don’t lower your music • Keeps time in the background • A Live Activity on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island • A workout display you can turn sideways • Made for iPhone, iPhone Duo and iPad Completely free. No ads, no paywall, no subscriptions. No accounts or tracking. Your workout history stays on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Session at 15.6 against Shift's 26. 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 days. Both last shipped on November 10, 2026.
| Parameter | Session | Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 26 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 42 MB | 52 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vincent DOLLO | Jorick van Meijeren |
In-app purchases
Session
No in-app purchases
Shift
No in-app purchases









