# Periodic Timer vs iShake

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Periodic Timer | iShake |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.1 (170 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-simple-repeat/id933241656/reviews)** | [4.0 (99 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ishake-mouse-jiggler/id1661475924/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **170** | 99 |
| Positive reviews | **52.1% of reviews** | 36.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 11 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 26 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladimir Kelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/933241655) | [Wo Jun Feng](https://appshunter.io/developer/1092916950) |

## 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


### iShake

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ishake-mouse-jiggler/id1661475924)

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.

**Highlights:** Simulates mouse movement with phone vibrations, Customizable vibration intervals, Automatic screen dimming, Stay awake mode, Prevents computer inactivity lock

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Periodic Timer free?

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

### Is iShake free?

iShake is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

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

Periodic Timer is rated higher. Periodic Timer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 170 ratings, while iShake averages 4.0 from 99 ratings.

### Do Periodic Timer or iShake have ads?

iShake shows ads; Periodic Timer does not.

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

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and iShake every 11 days. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on October 24, 2026 and iShake on October 21, 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.*