Comparison

Periodic Timer vs Haptic Focus 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

Haptic Focus Timer

This app helps you time focus and meditation sessions using discreet haptic feedback on your watch. It allows for multiple, unique vibrations to mark time or segment your session without sound or screen interaction. Optionally track your heart rate and mindfulness minutes.

Highlights
  • Haptic notifications for silent alerts
  • Multiple notifications per timer
  • Customizable haptic experiences
  • Configure multiple timers
  • Dark/Light Mode support
  • Optional HealthKit heart rate monitoring
Features
Read full description

Time your focus and meditation sessions with gentle and subtle haptic notifications. Receive multiple notifications throughout your session, each with its own unique haptic experience, to mark time or segment your session... all without fiddling with your watch or disturbing anyone around you! Key Features: - Haptic notifications alert only you when your watch is in Silent Mode - Get multiple notifications throughout the duration of a timer - Select from multiple haptic experiences for each notification - Configure multiple timers - Dark/Light Mode compatible - Optionally, monitor your heart rate throughout your session with HealthKit - Record your mindfulness minutes in the Health App Try free for up to two weeks. An annual or monthly subscription enables your watch app to time your meditation sessions. Subscriptions are charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase and after the expiration of the free trial. Subscriptions will automatically renew unless canceled within 24-hours before the end of the current period. You can cancel anytime within your iTunes account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial will be forfeited if you purchase a subscription. Send any questions, feedback, or complaints to info@bodhibuilder.com TERMS OF SERVICE: https://bodhibuilder.com/timer-terms-of-service

Screenshots

Periodic Timer4 screens
Haptic Focus Timer3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Periodic Timer at 4.1 against Haptic Focus Timer's 2.6. Periodic Timer also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months). Haptic Focus Timer's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, 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. Haptic Focus Timer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Periodic Timer holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 2.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Periodic Timer has 167 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of Periodic Timer's written reviews are positive against 60% of Haptic Focus Timer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, Haptic Focus Timer every 11 months. Both last shipped on September 29, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Periodic Timer versus Haptic Focus Timer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic TimerHaptic Focus Timer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (167 ratings) — better2.6 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings167 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir KelinKnightCode LLC

Customer experience

Periodic Timer

All ratings167 ratings
Positive75.4%
Neutral6.0%
Negative18.6%
Written reviews140 reviews
Positive52.1%
Neutral10.7%
Negative37.1%

Haptic Focus Timer

All ratings5 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative60.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

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

Haptic Focus Timer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Periodic Timer

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Haptic Focus Timer

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Unlimited3 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Yearly Unlimited14 Days trial$9.991 Year

Questions

Is Periodic Timer free?
Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Haptic Focus Timer free?
Haptic Focus Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Haptic Focus Timer?
Periodic Timer is rated higher. Periodic Timer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while Haptic Focus Timer averages 2.6 from 5 ratings.
Do Periodic Timer or Haptic Focus Timer have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer nor Haptic Focus Timer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Haptic Focus Timer?
Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Haptic Focus Timer every 11 months. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on September 29, 2026 and Haptic Focus Timer on September 29, 2026.

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