Comparison

Periodic Timer vs ETA Passenger

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

ETA Passenger

Features
Read full description

Description : ETA Passenger is a minimalist app designed for passengers. Enter your destination, start your trip, and keep only the essential information on screen: remaining time, estimated arrival time, and remaining distance. No map, no turn-by-turn navigation, no clutter. The app is ideal in a car, taxi, ride-hailing trip, or carpool when you simply want to know when you will arrive. Features: Clear remaining time Estimated arrival time Remaining distance Background tracking Persistent trip notification Live Activities and Dynamic Island support on compatible iOS versions Recent trip history Favorites and pinned destinations Light and dark mode Kilometer or mile units ETA precision levels ETA Passenger uses your location only to calculate the remaining time to your destination. The app does not display maps and does not provide turn-by-turn navigation. Perfect for: car passengers daily commutes taxis and ride-hailing carpools business trips important appointments ETA Passenger helps answer one simple question: “How long until I arrive?” Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ETA, arrival time, remaining time, remaining distance, passenger, car trip, trip tracking, estimated arrival, GPS passenger, taxi, ride hailing, carpool, trip notification, driving ETA, arrival estimate, Live Activity, Dynamic Island

Screenshots

Periodic Timer4 screens
ETA Passenger4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against ETA Passenger's 2. On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. ETA Passenger sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per year. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Periodic Timer versus ETA Passenger: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriodic TimerETA Passenger
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (170 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews52.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings170 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVladimir KelinTheo Vankoekelberg

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

ETA Passenger

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Periodic Timer

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

ETA Passenger

Subscriptions1
  • ETA Passenger Premium$8.991 Year
One-time1
  • ETA Passenger Premium$22.99

Questions

Is Periodic Timer free?
Periodic Timer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ETA Passenger free?
ETA Passenger is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Periodic Timer or ETA Passenger have ads?
Neither Periodic Timer nor ETA Passenger shows ads.

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