Comparison

Periodic Timer vs Timer Loops

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

Timer Loops

Create and manage multiple repeating timers with customizable schedules. This app is ideal for organizing daily routines, workouts, cooking, or as a mindfulness reminder. Save different timer groups for various activities.

Highlights
  • Multiple timer loops
  • Customizable duration and repeat frequency
  • Multiple timer group management
  • Save timer groups for different activities
  • Set timers for routines, exercise, cooking, and mindfulness
Features
Read full description

Manage multiple loops of multiple timers that can repeat on a customizable schedule. With Timer Loops, you can create as many timers as you need and customize their duration, label, and repeat frequency. Our app is perfect for anyone who needs to stay on track with their daily routines, whether it's for work, exercise, cooking, or any other activity. You can even use it as a reminder to take breaks or practice mindfulness throughout the day. Some features of our app include: - Timer loops: repeat not only timers but whole sets of timers! - Customizable timer duration and repeat frequency - Multiple timer group management: save different groups of timers for different activities

Screenshots

Periodic Timer4 screens
Timer Loops4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Timer Loops at 4.7 against Periodic Timer's 4.1. Timer Loops also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 52%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). Periodic Timer's advantage is ratings volume (167 vs 3). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Timer Loops holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Periodic Timer has 167 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Periodic Timer's written reviews are positive against 75% of Timer Loops's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, Timer Loops every 3 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Periodic Timer versus Timer Loops: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic TimerTimer Loops
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (167 ratings)4.7 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings167 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir KelinBeacons AI

Customer experience

Periodic Timer

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

Timer Loops

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

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

Timer Loops

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Periodic Timer

No in-app purchases

None

Timer Loops

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Periodic Timer free?
Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Timer Loops free?
Timer Loops is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Timer Loops?
Timer Loops is rated higher. Periodic Timer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while Timer Loops averages 4.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Periodic Timer or Timer Loops have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer nor Timer Loops shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Timer Loops?
Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Timer Loops every 3 months. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on September 24, 2026 and Timer Loops on September 24, 2026.

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