Comparison

Interval Timer vs Interval Routine Timer

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

Head to head
About

Interval Timer

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

About

Interval Routine Timer

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A training timer that simply plays a sequence of work and rest. It is a routine player, not a logging app: press play and move to the chimes. BUILD A ROUTINE - Line up "how many seconds" and "what that time is for" and save it as a routine - Name each interval anything you like: "Bench Press", "Rest", "Stretch". Whatever you write becomes its label - Set each length as either Time or Reps. Time is chosen with minute and second wheels - For exercises you count, such as squats and push-ups, a Reps interval waits until you finish. Write how many in the name ("Squats 20") - Duplicate, reorder and delete routines, so a "Chest Day" and a "Back Day" with the same rests are quick to make PLAY, THEN FOLLOW ALONG - Once you start, each timed interval moves on to the next by itself - A Reps interval moves on when you tap inside the ring after you finish - A ring shows the time left, and you can see what comes next - Pause, skip and stop are supported. In a timed interval, you can also tap inside the ring to pause and resume CHIMES FOR EVERY CHANGE - Chimes start a little before each change and finish exactly on it, so you know it is ending before it does - Choose a countdown (a beep each second, then a long high tone) or a steady beep - Set how long the chime lasts - They sound even when the silent switch is on and the screen is locked SCREEN OFF, PHONE IN YOUR POCKET - While the phone is locked, chimes sound at the same moment as when the app is open - The current interval and time left appear on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island, and advance with each change (Live Activities) - Each change also arrives as a notification, and shows on your wrist if you wear an Apple Watch (notification permission required) A CALENDAR OF THE DAYS YOU TRAINED - Days you play a routine to the end are marked automatically. Add days by hand for sessions you ended early or did without the app - Only the date and routine name are stored. Reps, weights and calories are not tracked SYNC WITH ICLOUD - Routines, the days you trained, and the ring color stay in step across iPhones and iPads signed in with the same Apple Account - The app works without iCloud, too. Syncing happens only between devices signed in to iCloud - Chime settings (style and length) stay on each device AND MORE - Choose the ring color; the app icon changes to match - Dark Mode - Japanese and English (follows your device language) - iPhone and iPad - No sign-up, no ads. Your data is stored on your device and in your own iCloud, where neither the developer nor third parties can see it ABOUT CALORIES This app does not show calories burned. To record calories and heart rate, use it together with the Workout app on your Apple Watch.

Screenshots

Interval Timer4 screens
Interval Routine Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Interval Routine Timer at none against Interval Timer's 1. Interval Routine Timer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (daily vs every 9 days). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, Interval Routine Timer daily. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences ยท 3 level
Interval Timer versus Interval Routine Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterval TimerInterval Routine Timer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysDaily โ€” better
AdsYesNo โ€” better
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 โ€” better18.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size69 MB52 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKatsunobu Sunagawajunto yanai

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Interval Timer

One-time1
  • Interval Timer Pro$1.99
None

Interval Routine Timer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Interval Timer free?
Interval Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Interval Routine Timer free?
Interval Routine Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Interval Timer or Interval Routine Timer have ads?
Interval Timer shows ads; Interval Routine Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Interval Routine Timer?
Interval Timer ships an update every 9 days, and Interval Routine Timer daily. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on October 4, 2026 and Interval Routine Timer on October 8, 2026.

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