# Periodic Timer vs Hourly Beep

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Periodic Timer at none against Hourly Beep's 1. Periodic Timer also leads on ratings volume (167 vs 11) and device support (3 vs 1). Hourly Beep's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Hourly Beep sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Periodic Timer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Hourly Beep holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Periodic Timer has 167 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, Hourly Beep every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Periodic Timer | Hourly Beep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (167 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/periodic-timer/id933241656/reviews) | **[4.5 (11 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hourly-beep/id6772598560/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **167** | 11 |
| Positive reviews | 52.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 23 MB | 22 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Vladimir Kelin](https://appshunter.io/developer/933241655) | [Adam Rozynski](https://appshunter.io/developer/1457581865) |

## 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


### Hourly Beep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/hourly-beep/id6772598560)

This app provides hourly chimes and custom sound alerts to help you stay focused, mindful, or simply aware of the time. It offers a variety of sounds, customizable schedules, and a retro watch face, all without ads or subscriptions.

**Highlights:** Hourly chimes and alerts, Customizable sound library (30+ chimes), Flexible scheduling options, Reliable iOS notifications, Retro LCD watch face, No ads or subscriptions

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Hourly Beep Pro | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Periodic Timer free?

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

### Is Hourly Beep free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Periodic Timer or Hourly Beep?

Hourly Beep is rated higher. Periodic Timer averages 4.1 out of 5 from 167 ratings, while Hourly Beep averages 4.5 from 11 ratings.

### Do Periodic Timer or Hourly Beep have ads?

Neither Periodic Timer nor Hourly Beep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Periodic Timer or Hourly Beep?

Periodic Timer ships an update every 2 months, and Hourly Beep every 3 weeks. Most recently, Periodic Timer was updated on October 16, 2026 and Hourly Beep 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.*