# Periodic Timer vs timer.

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.

Both are free to download. timer. sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Periodic Timer | timer. |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (170 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-simple-repeat/id933241656/reviews) | **[4.3 (171 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-multi-countdown-timer/id1399987470/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 170 | **171** |
| Positive reviews | 52.1% of reviews | **63.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladimir Kelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/933241655) | [Tobias Hauss](https://appshunter.io/developer/1399987469) |

## What reviewers say

### Periodic Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-simple-repeat/id933241656)

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:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔊 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### timer.

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/timer-multi-countdown-timer/id1399987470)

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:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Themes for timer. | $0.99 | one-time |
| iTunes Music as In-App Alarm | $0.99 | one-time |
| Edit All Widget Details | $0.99 | one-time |
| Edit & Reorder Existing Timer | $1.99 | one-time |
| PRO (Bundle) - All Features | $6.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*