# Periodic Timer vs Awake Assist

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Periodic Timer | Awake Assist |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (167 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer/id933241656/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/awake-assist/id6475498773/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **167** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 52.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 23 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladimir Kelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/933241655) | [Matthew Harries](https://appshunter.io/developer/1724261879) |

## What reviewers say

### Periodic Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer/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


### Awake Assist

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/awake-assist/id6475498773)

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.

**Highlights:** Customizable timer intervals, Preset timer options, Vibrate-only mode, Apple Watch companion app, Live Activities support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Periodic Timer free?

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

### Is Awake Assist free?

Awake Assist is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Awake Assist?

Awake Assist is rated higher. Periodic Timer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while Awake Assist averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Periodic Timer or Awake Assist have ads?

Neither Periodic Timer nor Awake Assist shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Awake Assist?

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Awake Assist every 7 months. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on October 16, 2026 and Awake Assist on October 4, 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.*