Periodic Timer vs iShake
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
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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!
iShake
Prevent your computer from locking due to inactivity. This app simulates mouse movement by triggering phone vibrations at set intervals. It also offers automatic screen dimming and a stay awake mode.
- Simulates mouse movement with phone vibrations
- Customizable vibration intervals
- Automatic screen dimming
- Stay awake mode
- Prevents computer inactivity lock
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Fed up with your computer locking after 5 minutes of inactivity? Enter iShake: Mouse Jiggler! This vibration app allows you to set a time interval for triggering phone vibrations. Just place your mouse on your phone, press start, and enjoy these features: - Continuous vibration at the specified interval until you stop - Automatic screen dimming 15 seconds after activation - Auto stay awake mode after pressing start
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against iShake's 1. Periodic Timer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (52% vs 36%). iShake's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. iShake sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 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 4.0 for iShake. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 170 and 99 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 52% of Periodic Timer's written reviews are positive against 36% of iShake's.
Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, iShake every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Periodic Timer | iShake |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (170 ratings) — better | 4.0 (99 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 52.1% of reviews — better | 36.4% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 170 — better | 99 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 11 days — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 26 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vladimir Kelin | Wo Jun Feng |
Customer experience
Periodic Timer
iShake
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
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- 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
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- 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
iShake
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Periodic Timer
No in-app purchases
iShake
- Remove Ads$0.99
