Periodic Timer vs Loop
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Repeating interval timer
- Background operation
- Customizable alerts (vibration/sound)
- Prevent lockscreen
- Shake to start
- Multiple timer output modes
Read full descriptionHide 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!
Loop
Easily create and manage multiple timers for various activities like sports, meditation, and study. Set interval timers, save presets, and import custom sounds. The app offers automatic resets, Apple Watch integration, and iCloud sync for a seamless experience.
- Multiple timer types (interval, Tabata)
- Natural text input for quick timers
- Automatic timer reset and alarm options
- Customizable presets with icons and colors
- Import custom start, finish, and interval sounds
- Background meditation sounds
- iCloud sync across devices
Read full descriptionHide full description
Loop makes setting timers easier, faster and more beautiful. Start multiple (interval, Tabata, and cooking) timers, create presets, import your own sounds and so much more! - Easy Start: The start screen shows the most recently started timers and your favorites. One tap is enough to start a timer. You can also create a new quick timer with natural-language input: Simply type something like "1h Work, 30m Break" to create a timer with two intervals. Any number of timers can be started in parallel. The first timers will be displayed as nested rings. - Automatic Reset: After a timer expires, the app plays a sound and the timer automatically resets, so you can start it again immediately. Alternatively, you can configure a timer to play the sound like an alarm until you disable it. Loop supports AlarmKit so the alarm is also shown on your Apple Watch (requires at least iOS or iPadOS 26). - Presets: You can save your favorite timers as presets, which can be started with a tap. You can use text or an icon for your presets, and also change the color as you like. You can create multiple categories for your presets, with each category able to customize the app’s default settings. - Interval Timers: You can create interval timers and save them as Presets. The app plays a sound for each elapsed interval and displays it as a small dash on the ring. Additionally, you can name each of them, select repetitions for the intervals, or make the timer repeat automatically. - Choose Sounds: In addition to many included sounds, you can also import your own sound files from the Files app. Start, pause, finish, reset, interval, and background sounds can be selected separately. - Meditation Sounds: You can activate a background sound such as ocean waves or white noise in the settings, which will then be played when a timer is running. It is also possible to switch off the screen in order to concentrate fully on your meditation. - iCloud Sync: Your timers, settings, and sounds sync with your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac. - Push Notifications & Live Activities: Loop will send you a push notification when the app is closed if a timer or interval has expired. The sounds selected in the app will also be used for the notification. In addition, a live activity is displayed when timers are running. - And More: Custom app icons, Apple Watch integration, HealthKit support, configure when the screen should stay awake, and countless further options. This application is governed by Apple’s standard Licensed Application End User License Agreement (EULA), available at https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against Loop's 3. Loop's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. Loop sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Loop holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 167 and 67 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Periodic Timer's written reviews are positive against 63% of Loop's.
Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, Loop every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Periodic Timer | Loop |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (167 ratings) | 4.5 (67 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.1% of reviews | 62.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 167 — better | 67 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 16.4 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 81 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vladimir Kelin | Leon Boettger |
Customer experience
Periodic Timer
Loop
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
Loop
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Periodic Timer
No in-app purchases
Loop
- Loop+ Monthly$0.991 Month
- Loop+ Yearly3 Days trial$3.991 Year
- Upgrade to Loop+$4.99
Questions
Is Periodic Timer free?
Is Loop free?
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Loop?
Do Periodic Timer or Loop have ads?
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Loop?
Other comparisons















