# Periodic Timer vs VTimer

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against VTimer's 1. Periodic Timer also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (3 vs 1). VTimer's advantage is update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). On price there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VTimer sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per year. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, VTimer every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Periodic Timer | VTimer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.1 (170 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer-simple-repeat/id933241656/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **170** | — |
| Positive reviews | 52.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 26 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladimir Kelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/933241655) | [Yeongsang Kim](https://appshunter.io/developer/1692023287) |

## 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


### VTimer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vtimer-custom-interval-timer/id6760679268)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads Annual | $1.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Periodic Timer free?

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

### Is VTimer free?

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

### Do Periodic Timer or VTimer have ads?

VTimer shows ads; Periodic Timer does not.

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

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and VTimer every 4 weeks. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on November 1, 2026 and VTimer on November 5, 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.*