# Interval Timer vs Interval Runner Basic

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Interval Runner Basic at 100% against Interval Timer's 21%. Interval Runner Basic also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Interval Timer's advantage is ratings volume (534 vs 4). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Interval Timer sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Interval Runner Basic asks for nothing beyond the download.

Interval Runner Basic holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Interval Timer has 534 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 21% of Interval Timer's written reviews are positive against 100% of Interval Runner Basic's.

Interval Timer ships an update every 3 months, Interval Runner Basic every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Interval Timer | Interval Runner Basic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (534 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-run-and-hiit/id956283665/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-runner-basic/id1340293774/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **534** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 21.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 15 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **9.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Roma Sosnovsky](https://appshunter.io/developer/956283664) | [Jane Brown](https://appshunter.io/developer/1103473343) |

## What reviewers say

### Interval Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-timer-run-and-hiit/id956283665)

Organize your running and high-intensity interval training sessions with ease. Quickly set up custom time intervals for running, walking, warm-ups, and cool-downs. Receive voice and vibration notifications for interval changes, and enjoy background music playback.

**Highlights:** Intuitive design, Customizable time intervals, Warm-up and cool-down timers, Voice and vibration notifications, Background music support, Foreground/background operation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Interval Run Pro Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Interval Run Pro Annual | $19.99 | per year |
| Full Version | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Simple and easy to use
- 👍 Customizable intervals
- 🚀 Straightforward app
- 👍 Works as advertised
- 👍 Great for getting back into running

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔇 No audio prompts when screen is locked
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔒 Limited free version
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🔇 Voice prompts not loud enough

**Reported bugs**

- Timer resets or freezes during workout
- Prompts not working when phone is locked or in pocket
- Unexpected interval changes or duration changes
- Compatibility issues with music playback

**Requested features**

- Option to pause/resume timer
- Larger time remaining display
- Apple Watch app
- Ability to play audio prompts even with screen off
- More interval options (run/walk/jog)


### Interval Runner Basic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interval-runner-basic/id1340293774)

This app provides a versatile training tool for runners, offering various workout routines like Run-Walk and Fartlek. It tracks progress, displays workouts on a map, and allows pace goal setting. Users can listen to music during workouts and export data for platforms like Strava.

**Highlights:** Multiple running routines (Run-Walk, Fartlek, Pyramid), Workout tracking and mapping, Pace goal setting and feedback, Warm-up and cool-down timers, Music integration, Exportable workout data, Supports kilometers and miles

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Interval Timer free?

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

### Is Interval Runner Basic free?

Interval Runner Basic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Interval Timer or Interval Runner Basic?

Interval Runner Basic is rated higher. Interval Timer averages 4.5 out of 5 from 534 ratings, while Interval Runner Basic averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do Interval Timer or Interval Runner Basic have ads?

Neither Interval Timer nor Interval Runner Basic shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Interval Timer or Interval Runner Basic?

Interval Timer ships an update every 3 months, and Interval Runner Basic every 5 months. Most recently, Interval Timer was updated on September 27, 2026 and Interval Runner Basic on September 18, 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.*