Comparison

Periodic Timer vs Ian's Awesome Counter

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

Ian's Awesome Counter

This utility app helps users improve focus and self-awareness with customizable prompts. Set intervals, start/end times, and track your progress over time to stay on task. Ideal for individuals or parents assisting with attention management.

Highlights
  • Customizable prompt intervals
  • Set daily start and end times
  • Track successful focus periods
  • View historical performance
  • Optional notification alerts
Features
Read full description

Ian's Awesome Counter is a utility designed to help you be more focused and aware of yourself. My son, Ian, can sometimes have difficulty with regulation and management of his attention. We’ve tried several different strategies for helping him with this. One of the strategies that we found most successful was giving him regular prompts throughout the day and ask whether he thought he was on task and staying focused. Initially this took the form of a repeating countdown timer and a hand clicker, but after a while this became rather onerous to keep up with, so instead he and I worked together to design an Apple Watch app that would make this easier to do. The result is this app. You configure how often you want to be prompted, when the prompts should begin and end each day, and what your goal for successful periods is. Then Ian’s Awesome Counter does the rest. If you turn on notifications you’ll get an alert at the end of every period asking how you did and the values are recorded in the app. You can see your last week’s performance in the History view. This app is provided completely free of charge. I’ve found it really helpful for my family and my hope is that by sharing it, other families will find similar help from it. It can be worn either by the person working on their focus or by a parent/carer who can then relay the prompts.

Screenshots

Periodic Timer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Ian's Awesome Counter at 4.8 against Periodic Timer's 4.1. Ian's Awesome Counter also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 52%) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Periodic Timer's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 33 months) and ratings volume (167 vs 55). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ian's Awesome Counter holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 167 and 55 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Periodic Timer's written reviews are positive against 90% of Ian's Awesome Counter's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, Ian's Awesome Counter every 33 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Periodic Timer versus Ian's Awesome Counter: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic TimerIan's Awesome Counter
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (167 ratings)4.8 (55 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews90.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings167 — better55
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 33 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir KelinCross Forward Consulting, LLC

Customer experience

Periodic Timer

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

Ian's Awesome Counter

All ratings55 ratings
Positive96.4%
Neutral1.8%
Negative1.8%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive90.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative5.0%

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

Ian's Awesome Counter

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Periodic Timer

No in-app purchases

None

Ian's Awesome Counter

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Periodic Timer free?
Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ian's Awesome Counter free?
Ian's Awesome Counter is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Ian's Awesome Counter?
Ian's Awesome Counter is rated higher. Periodic Timer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while Ian's Awesome Counter averages 4.8 from 55 ratings.
Do Periodic Timer or Ian's Awesome Counter have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer nor Ian's Awesome Counter shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Ian's Awesome Counter?
Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Ian's Awesome Counter every 33 months. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on September 24, 2026 and Ian's Awesome Counter on September 19, 2026.

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