Periodic Timer vs Awake Assist
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!
Awake Assist
This utility helps users stay alert by providing customizable timer intervals. It offers a vibrate-only mode for discreet use and supports Live Activities for convenient access without unlocking your device.
- Customizable timer intervals
- Preset timer options
- Vibrate-only mode
- Apple Watch companion app
- Live Activities support
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Features: • Choose from our one of the several preset timer intervals, or enter a custom timer duration • Use the vibrate-only mode (or the companion Apple Watch app!) for discrete usage in class, meetings, etc. • With Live Activities enabled, you can use the app without having to unlock your phone.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Awake Assist at 100% against Periodic Timer's 52%. Awake Assist also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.1). Periodic Timer's advantage is ratings volume (167 vs 3) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Awake Assist holds the better App Store score, 5.0 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 100% of Awake Assist's.
Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, Awake Assist every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Periodic Timer | Awake Assist |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (167 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 52.1% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 167 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 7 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Vladimir Kelin | Matthew Harries |
Customer experience
Periodic Timer
Awake Assist
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
Awake Assist
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Periodic Timer
No in-app purchases
Awake Assist
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Periodic Timer free?
Is Awake Assist free?
Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Awake Assist?
Do Periodic Timer or Awake Assist have ads?
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Awake Assist?
Other comparisons
