Comparison

Periodic Timer vs timer.

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

Head to head
About

Periodic Timer

This app provides a simple, repeating interval timer that can run in the background without distracting you. It offers customizable alerts, quick start options, and prevents your screen from locking while active. Ideal for various activities like fitness, cooking, and learning.

Highlights
  • Repeating interval timer
  • Background operation
  • Customizable alerts (vibration/sound)
  • Prevent lockscreen
  • Shake to start
  • Multiple timer output modes
Features
Read full description

Keep track of time without being distracted by the device! Simple and easy timer that repeats at your chosen interval. FEATURES - Vibration, if sound is off. - Works in the background. - 3 timer output modes: intervals, total time, countdown. - You can cancel or pause the timer with help of a notification. - Quick Start from icon. - Shake To Start - can be enabled in settings. - Prevent Lockscreen - another useful setting, the screen will not lock, while the timer is running. USE CASES Here is a list of known use cases based on the real feedback: Fitness and health: - Stretching - Stationary bicycle (interval training) - On a treadmill - For HIIT - Jogging - Timed medication - Boxing Cooking - While frying potatoes - Roasting steaks - Checking an over or a grill to prevent burning Learning & science - Foreign language learning - As a lab timer - Periodic data collection - Speech training - Presentation timing Other - Mindfulness - Communication - To have a sense of time flying away :) HELP Q: Why the timer doesn't work in the background? A: You should allow notifications. Q: How to turn off the sound and turn on the vibration? A: On the device, turn the Silent Mode on. (Side Switch) Q: Alert is limited for 5 seconds! A: Go to Settings app, then Periodic Timer > Notifications > Banner Style > Persistent. Q: How to switch the Timer Output Mode? A: To switch the Output Mode touch the timer display at the top of the screen. Q: What is Shake To Start for? A: Shake To Start setting allows to start/cancel the timer by shaking the device. Thus, you don't touch the screen, what can be useful while cooking, for example. In order for this mode to work, the app should be open. If you still have questions or suggestions, you can visit the support page (https://goo.gl/forms/pggVBcaBxdW85EGE3), the Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/groups/PeriodicTimer/) or you can email me (periodictimer.sup@gmail.com). If you like the app - please, rate it!

About

timer.

Manage multiple countdown timers simultaneously with this intuitive app. Set custom names, sounds, and even use your own music for alarms. Access timers easily via widgets, Apple Watch, and Live Activities.

Highlights
  • Multiple simultaneous timers
  • Customizable names and alarm sounds
  • Background timer operation
  • Widget and Apple Watch access
  • Live Activities with Play/Pause
  • Siri Shortcuts support
  • Dark Mode and themes
Features
Read full description

timer. is a simple and easy too use countdown timer. You are able to run several timers at the same time. The timers can be paused / resumed by the user and still run in background. Also you are able to define a sound or name. With the timer. widget and Apple Watch app you have quick and easy access to your last created timer. Features: - Several timers at the same time - Save timer - Edit and reorder existing timers - Siri Shortcuts support - Define timer name and alarm sound - Define an unlimited amount of timers - Timers still run in backround - Choose different alarms for notification and In-App - Choose from your favorite music for In-App alarm from your locally stored Apple Music or iTunes Music files - Widget for easy access the last created timer - Filter for running timers - Full access to timers from widget - Apple Watch app to view last created timer - More than 30 different alarm sounds - Choose between 16 modern themes for App and Widget - Dark Mode - Live Activities with Play / Pause - Dynamic Island Support with Play / Pause - Home Screen Widgets with Play / Pause For feedback or feature requests visit us on twitter: https://twitter.com/timer_2018 Please note for devices which run iOS 18 or older: The mute switch should not be active when the app is in background. Finished timers are not notified with an alarm sound. This is a limitation of iOS 18 or older. If the app is running in foreground, the alarm sounds are also played when the mute switch is active.

Screenshots

Periodic Timer4 screens
timer.4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against timer.'s 5. timer.'s advantage is review sentiment (63% vs 52%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. timer. sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for Periodic Timer against 4.3 for timer.. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 170 and 171 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of Periodic Timer's written reviews are positive against 63% of timer.'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, timer. every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Periodic Timer versus timer.: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic Timertimer.
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (170 ratings)4.3 (171 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews63.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings170171 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB30 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir KelinTobias Hauss

Customer experience

Periodic Timer

All ratings170 ratings
Positive75.9%
Neutral5.9%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews142 reviews
Positive52.1%
Neutral10.6%
Negative37.3%

timer.

All ratings171 ratings
Positive81.3%
Neutral4.7%
Negative14.0%
Written reviews63 reviews
Positive63.5%
Neutral12.7%
Negative23.8%

User reviews

Periodic Timer

From 170 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • ⏱️ Effective repeating/interval timer functionality
  • 🎯 Does exactly what it's designed to do
  • 🔇 Vibration-only option available
  • 📱 Works in background with screen off

Room to improve

  • 🔊 Sound/notification issues (unreliable or missing)
  • 💰 Aggressive premium upselling in free version
  • 🐛 Timer cancels when phone is shaken
  • 🔋 Activates heart rate sensor, drains battery
  • 📵 Doesn't work reliably with screen locked

timer.

From 171 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great widget functionality
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive UI
  • 👍 Useful for multiple timers
  • 👍 Good integration with Dynamic Island
  • 👍 Fast and responsive

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Widget opens app unexpectedly
  • 🐛 Apple Watch control limitations
  • 🐛 Timer data loss issues
  • 🐛 Widget display issues
  • 🐛 No sound in silent mode

Bugs and requests

Periodic Timer

Reported bugs

12 issues
  • Sound/notifications fail to trigger despite settings enabled
  • Timer cancels when phone is shaken or moved
  • Vibration doesn't work when screen is locked or off
  • App crashes on launch (especially after updates)
  • Watch app crashes or doesn't function
Show 7 more
  • Notifications inconsistent on Apple Watch
  • Timer speed inaccurate (runs too fast)
  • App won't open after deletion and reinstall
  • Upgrade popup spams every second, making app unusable
  • Heart rate monitor stays active, draining battery
  • Vibration doesn't work on silent mode
  • Watch green light stays on continuously

Requested features

15 requests
  • Adjustable sound volume and custom alert sounds
  • Customizable vibration patterns
  • Settings menu for user preferences
  • Ability to add notes/labels to timers
  • Seconds-only timer option
Show 10 more
  • Simple countdown timer (non-repeating)
  • Separate exercise and rest period intervals
  • Start timer at specific time of day
  • Disable sound option for silent vibration-only mode
  • Prevent screen lock while timer is running
  • Apple Watch vibration support
  • Seconds increment option (not just minutes)
  • Better Apple Watch complications and integration
  • Free trial period before purchase requirement
  • Disable shake-to-cancel functionality

timer.

Reported bugs

10 issues
  • Widget opens the app when interacted with
  • Timers disappear or are lost
  • Watch app sync issues
  • Widget buttons overlap or are unreadable
  • App remains on Dynamic Island after closing
Show 5 more
  • Banner in notification center is unreadable
  • Live activity obscures status bar elements
  • App closes immediately upon opening
  • Purchases not restoring or working correctly
  • Custom timers and widgets disappear

Requested features

14 requests
  • Make widgets smaller and show only clicked timer
  • Allow Apple Watch to select and restart specific times
  • Add option to dynamically set timer from Shortcuts
  • Add option for timers to repeatedly loop
  • Option to hide seconds in Dynamic Island
Show 9 more
  • Redesign lock screen widget to remove alarm sound name
  • Show progress bar/circle on timer icon in live activity
  • Allow typing timer values instead of only wheel pickers
  • Add stopwatch function
  • Allow setting custom vibrate patterns
  • Make timer setting area larger for easier use
  • Separate page for created alarms
  • Option to play music from Apple Music library for alarms
  • Slower animation for swipe to show/hide create menu

In-app purchases

None

Periodic Timer

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

timer.

One-time5
  • Themes for timer.$0.99
  • iTunes Music as In-App Alarm$0.99
  • Edit All Widget Details$0.99
Show 2 more
  • Edit & Reorder Existing Timer$1.99
  • PRO (Bundle) - All Features$6.99

Questions

Is Periodic Timer free?
Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is timer. free?
timer. is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or timer.?
timer. is rated higher. Periodic Timer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 170 ratings, while timer. averages 4.3 from 171 ratings.
Do Periodic Timer or timer. have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer nor timer. shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or timer.?
Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and timer. every 3 months. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on November 1, 2026 and timer. on November 2, 2026.

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