# Periodic Timer vs Just Timers

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against Just Timers's 8. Periodic Timer also leads on ratings volume (167 vs 30). Just Timers's advantage is update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Just Timers sells 8 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 4.1 for Just Timers. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Periodic Timer has 167 ratings behind it against 30, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of Periodic Timer's written reviews are positive against 58% of Just Timers's.

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, Just Timers every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Periodic Timer | Just Timers |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (167 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer/id933241656/reviews) | [4.1 (30 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/just-timers/id1453573845/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **167** | 30 |
| Positive reviews | 52.1% of reviews | **57.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 23 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladimir Kelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/933241655) | [Aaron Dippner](https://appshunter.io/developer/1453573844) |

## What reviewers say

### Periodic Timer

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


### Just Timers

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/just-timers/id1453573845)

Create and manage multiple named timers, including counters, stopwatches, and interval timers. Customize alerts with sounds and haptics, and integrate with Shortcuts for advanced automation. Sync across devices and utilize widgets for convenient control.

**Highlights:** Multiple named timers (counter, stopwatch, interval), Customizable alerts (sound, haptics, critical alerts), Shortcuts and URL integration, Interval templates for complex routines, Widgets and Live Activities support, iCloud sync across devices, Light and Dark themes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Small Toy | $0.99 | one-time |
| v1 Unlimited Timers (Legacy) | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tier 1 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Medium Toy | $2.99 | one-time |
| v1 Upgrade | $2.99 | one-time |
| Large Toy | $4.99 | one-time |
| Tier 2 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Huge Toy | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent Shortcuts integration
- 💰 Affordable one-time purchase
- 🚫 No data collection
- ✨ Clean and intuitive UI
- 🚀 Fast and performant (v3)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Numerous bugs and glitches
- 🔇 No sound/alarms
- ⚠️ Notifications not stopping
- ⏳ Slow loading times
- ⌚ Watch app issues

**Reported bugs**

- Repeat function causing repeated shortcut execution
- No sound even with critical alerts on
- Notifications won't stop after timer completion
- Interval timer progress lost
- Stock timers restoring after deletion

**Requested features**

- Menu bar timer on Mac
- Widgets for home screen
- Custom sounds for timers
- Delayed timer start (date/time)
- Group timers and trigger individual timers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Periodic Timer free?

Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Just Timers free?

Just Timers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Just Timers?

Periodic Timer and Just Timers are both rated 4.1 out of 5 on the App Store, from 167 and 30 ratings respectively.

### Do Periodic Timer or Just Timers have ads?

Neither Periodic Timer nor Just Timers shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Just Timers?

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Just Timers every 4 weeks. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on October 16, 2026 and Just Timers on October 15, 2026.

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