Comparison

Periodic Timer vs 人生存档

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

人生存档

Features
Read full description

Life Archive turns everyday routines into a clear, game-inspired growth system. Instead of letting goals disappear across scattered notes and reminders, you can organize what matters today, take action, and see the result recorded over time. MAKE TODAY ACTIONABLE • Build a focused list of daily quests. • Check in quickly and see progress update immediately. • Reuse habit templates so recurring actions are easy to maintain. • Add one-time tasks when the day calls for something different. SEE PROGRESS, NOT JUST CHECKMARKS • Earn skill XP and gold from completed actions. • Track resource changes and your current status from the home screen. • Grow across multiple skill areas instead of chasing a single streak. • Review task details, progress, and rewards before acting. KEEP A RELIABLE RECORD • Every important completion becomes part of your system log. • Review records by date and type. • Roll back a mistaken completion while preserving a clear history. • Use the activity view to understand what moved forward today. BUILT FOR REPEATABLE MOMENTUM Life Archive combines a task planner, habit tracker, and personal progression system in a focused pixel-inspired interface. It is designed for people who want everyday actions to feel concrete, measurable, and worth returning to. Your life is already moving. Give that progress a place to live.

Screenshots

Periodic Timer4 screens
人生存档4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against 人生存档's 2. 人生存档's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads and device support 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. 人生存档 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, 人生存档 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Periodic Timer versus 人生存档: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic Timer人生存档
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (170 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings170 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir Kelin青山 郭

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

人生存档

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Periodic Timer

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

人生存档

One-time2
  • 月会员$1.99
  • 年会员$2.99

Questions

Is Periodic Timer free?
Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is 人生存档 free?
人生存档 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Periodic Timer or 人生存档 have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer nor 人生存档 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or 人生存档?
Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and 人生存档 every 3 weeks. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on October 24, 2026 and 人生存档 on October 25, 2026.

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