Comparison

Periodic Timer vs Yapp Random Reminders

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

Yapp Random Reminders

This app helps you stay motivated and organized by delivering custom messages and inspirational quotes randomly throughout your day. Manage your to-do items, view reminders on your home screen, and customize delivery times and sounds. Store and organize your reminders with iCloud integration.

Highlights
  • Customizable lock screen reminders
  • Inspirational quote integration
  • Unlimited reminder creation
  • Home screen widgets
  • Customizable delivery and sounds
  • iCloud storage and organization
Features
Read full description

Remind and motivate yourself in a unique way! The best random reminders app - Trusted by thousands of users! Hack your daily routine with this simple, and super easy-to-use app that pops up your own custom messages straight onto your lock screen, delivered randomly throughout your day! · Create 'todo' actionable items, and get inspired by 100's of famous quotes. · Write unlimited reminders. · Your reminders at a glance with Yapp Widgets on your home screen. · You control exactly how and when your reminders are delivered. · Pause or delete individual reminders. · Download or store your reminders on iCloud. · Search and find specific reminders. Organize them by color or date, and choose different sounds.. · And much more! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Periodic Timer4 screens
Yapp Random Reminders4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Yapp Random Reminders at 4.8 against Periodic Timer's 4.1. Yapp Random Reminders also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 52%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Periodic Timer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, ads and device support 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. Yapp Random Reminders sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Yapp Random Reminders holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Yapp Random Reminders has 2.3K ratings behind it against 170, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Periodic Timer's written reviews are positive against 75% of Yapp Random Reminders's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, Yapp Random Reminders every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Periodic Timer versus Yapp Random Reminders: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic TimerYapp Random Reminders
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (170 ratings)4.8 (2.3K ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews74.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1702.3K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir KelinRaul Hernandez

Customer experience

Periodic Timer

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

Yapp Random Reminders

All ratings2,343 ratings
Positive94.9%
Neutral2.3%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews166 reviews
Positive74.7%
Neutral10.2%
Negative15.1%

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

Yapp Random Reminders

From 2.3K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and effective
  • 🚀 Gentle, random reminders
  • 🔒 No data collection
  • 💡 Customizable affirmations/quotes
  • 👍 Breathing/relaxation feature

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Blank screen/crashes after updates
  • 💰 Subscription model too expensive
  • 🐛 Reminders not randomized properly
  • 🐛 Reminders/data lost after updates
  • 🔍 Limited number of reminders per day

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

Yapp Random Reminders

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Blank screen on opening the app
  • Reminders not working after iOS updates
  • Widget not functioning properly
  • Keyboard covers reminder text
  • Reminders disappearing after updates

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to set different reminder frequencies
  • Sync reminders across devices
  • More customization options (colors, fonts, etc.)
  • Ability to export/backup reminders
  • Increase maximum number of reminders per day

In-app purchases

None

Periodic Timer

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Yapp Random Reminders

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Plan$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Plan7 Days trial$24.991 Year

Questions

Is Periodic Timer free?
Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Yapp Random Reminders free?
Yapp Random Reminders is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Yapp Random Reminders?
Yapp Random Reminders is rated higher. Periodic Timer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 170 ratings, while Yapp Random Reminders averages 4.8 from 2.3K ratings.
Do Periodic Timer or Yapp Random Reminders have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer nor Yapp Random Reminders shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Yapp Random Reminders?
Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Yapp Random Reminders every 3 weeks. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on October 21, 2026 and Yapp Random Reminders on October 20, 2026.

Other comparisons