Comparison

Interval Timer vs Loop Timer

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

Head to head
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" β€” no mechanical countdown language, just a bit of warmth while you push through. β–  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 β–  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 β€” 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 β–  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 β€” so coming back from the background or a locked screen never leaves the display out of sync.

About

Loop Timer

Features
Read full description

A simple interval timer that loops work and rest. Works with Apple Watch and the Dynamic Island. Set your times, tap start, and it loops automatically β€” for Tabata, HIIT, circuit training, stretching, or timing sets at the gym. β–  Always visible in the Dynamic Island and on the Lock Screen See the remaining time and current phase even while using other apps. The timer keeps running with the screen locked and alerts you with sound and vibration. β–  Apple Watch, right on your wrist Start, pause and skip from your Apple Watch while your iPhone stays in your bag. Phases are signalled by haptics. Both devices stay in sync and show the same remaining time. Live heart rate appears on the Watch, the iPhone and the Dynamic Island. β–  Apple Health Sessions are saved as HIIT workouts. With Apple Watch, heart rate and calories are recorded too. Review your history in the app: duration, energy, average and maximum heart rate. β–  Three counter styles β€’ Digits β€” just a big number β€’ Ring β€” the remaining time shrinks clockwise β€’ Bars β€” a bar chart you can read at a glance Switch styles while running. Landscape is supported. β–  Sounds you can choose Three volume levels and three sounds (beep, chime, wood). Preview each one with a tap. A voice can also announce Start, Stop and Finish (voice cues). β–  Train to a beat Set 40–240 BPM and choose 2, 3, 4 or 5 beats per bar. The first beat is accented to help you keep pace. Pick click, wood, cowbell or beep. By default it plays only during work. β–  Fine control Adjust times in steps of 1, 5, 10 or 30 seconds β€” 23 seconds is no problem. β–  Two looks, nine languages Choose the gray or pastel theme. Available in English, Japanese, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean, Spanish, German, French and Portuguese. β–  Ready-made presets β€’ Tabata 20s/10s Γ— 8 rounds β€’ HIIT 30s/30s Γ— 10 rounds β€’ 4020 40s/20s Γ— 8 rounds Γ— 2 sets β€’ EMOM 50s/10s Γ— 10 rounds β–  Free and unlocked The free version runs all four presets, lets you switch counter styles and shows the Dynamic Island. A one-time purchase (no subscription) unlocks: β€’ Changing every duration β€’ Saving your own named presets β€’ Volume and sound choice β€’ Apple Watch app with heart rate β€’ Apple Health recording and workout history β€’ Metronome rhythm (BPM, beats, sound) β€’ Voice cues for start, stop and finish

Screenshots

Interval Timer4 screens
Loop Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Loop Timer at none against Interval Timer's shown. Loop Timer also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs weekly). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Interval Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Loop Timer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Timer ships an update weekly, Loop Timer every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
Interval Timer versus Loop Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval TimerLoop Timer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 3 days β€” better
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size69 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKatsunobu SunagawaYOSHIYUKI UEMATSU

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Interval Timer

One-time1
  • Interval Timer Pro$1.99
1 purchases

Loop Timer

One-time1
  • Unlock custom timing$2.99

Questions

Is Interval Timer free?
Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Loop Timer free?
Loop Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Interval Timer or Loop Timer have ads?
Interval Timer shows ads; Loop Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Loop Timer?
Interval Timer ships an update weekly, and Loop Timer every 3 days. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on October 31, 2026 and Loop Timer on November 6, 2026.

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