# Periodic Timer vs Stopwatch

Periodic Timer and Stopwatch both sit at 4.1 stars, but that hides the real split: 52% of Periodic Timer's written reviews are positive against 0% of Stopwatch's. Periodic Timer also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months) and ratings volume (170 vs 29). Stopwatch's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for Periodic Timer against 4.2 for Stopwatch. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Periodic Timer has 170 ratings behind it against 29, 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 0% of Stopwatch's.

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, Stopwatch every 10 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Periodic Timer | Stopwatch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (170 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-simple-repeat/id933241656/reviews) | **[4.2 (29 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stopwatch/id1459549731/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **170** | 29 |
| Positive reviews | **52.1% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 10 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 26 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladimir Kelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/933241655) | [Apple](https://appshunter.io/developer/284417353) |

## 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


### Stopwatch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stopwatch/id1459549731)

Precisely time events with multiple display options on your Apple Watch. Track laps and split times with ease using digital, analog, or hybrid views.

**Highlights:** Accurate event timing, Lap and split time tracking, Digital stopwatch view, Analog stopwatch view, Hybrid stopwatch view

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Periodic Timer free?

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

### Is Stopwatch free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Stopwatch?

Stopwatch is rated higher. Periodic Timer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 170 ratings, while Stopwatch averages 4.2 from 29 ratings.

### Do Periodic Timer or Stopwatch have ads?

Neither Periodic Timer nor Stopwatch shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Stopwatch?

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Stopwatch every 10 months. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on October 24, 2026 and Stopwatch on October 24, 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.*