Best Background Timer Apps

238+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.6 avg rating
18 free apps
Updated June 2026

Out of 238+ background timer apps on iOS, 18 are free and the rest sit in the paid tier. This page sorts them so you can compare both sides before you commit.

Top Picks for Background Timer

Interval Timer - Tabata Timer#1

Interval Timer - Tabata Timer by NEO PIXEL LABS PTE. LTD

Multiple timers for fitness
Editor's Choice
💪 Health & Fitness
4.5😊(18K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Interval Timer - Tabata Timer screenshot 1
Interval Timer - Tabata Timer screenshot 2
Interval Timer - Tabata Timer screenshot 3
Interval Timer - Tabata Timer screenshot 4
Interval Timer - Tabata Timer screenshot 5
Interval Timer - Tabata Timer screenshot 6

This app helps you manage workout intervals with customizable work and rest periods. It runs in the background and allows music playback, with options to save settings and share progress. Integrates with Apple Health for heart rate monitoring.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Free version works well
  • 👍 Customizable intervals and timers
  • 👍 Flexible for different workouts
  • 👍 Easy to use and set up

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Timer issues (stops, loses time)
  • 🔋 Drains battery when used
  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
MultiTimer: Multiple timers#2

MultiTimer: Multiple timers by PERSAPPS (PERSEPS), TOO

Visual countdown seconds timer
Strong Contender
🔧 Utilities
4.7😊(16K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
MultiTimer: Multiple timers screenshot 1
MultiTimer: Multiple timers screenshot 2
MultiTimer: Multiple timers screenshot 3
MultiTimer: Multiple timers screenshot 4
MultiTimer: Multiple timers screenshot 5
MultiTimer: Multiple timers screenshot 6

Manage multiple countdowns and count-ups simultaneously with customizable timers for any task. Organize your time with flexible layouts, personalized alerts, and easy sharing options. Optimize productivity for work, study, or daily activities.

What We Love

  • 🌟 Excellent multi-timer functionality
  • 👍 Highly customizable timers
  • 🎨 Beautiful and intuitive design
  • 🔍 Versatile for various use cases (cooking, workouts, productivity, etc.)

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and crashes
  • 🔇 Alarms not always audible when phone is locked or in silent mode
  • 🕰 Apple Watch app has limited functionality compared to iPhone app
Timer+ Countdown & Stopwatch#3

Timer+ Countdown & Stopwatch by Minima Software LLC

Cooking, Workouts, Meditation
Worth Considering
🔧 Utilities
4.8😊(40K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Timer+ Countdown & Stopwatch screenshot 1
Timer+ Countdown & Stopwatch screenshot 2
Timer+ Countdown & Stopwatch screenshot 3
Timer+ Countdown & Stopwatch screenshot 4
Timer+ Countdown & Stopwatch screenshot 5
Timer+ Countdown & Stopwatch screenshot 6

Manage multiple timers and stopwatches simultaneously for various activities like cooking, workouts, and daily routines. Build complex interval timers with custom segments and receive voice announcements. Save and reuse timer templates for efficient time management.

What We Love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Convenient for multiple timers
  • 💡 Customizable alarm sounds
  • 👍 Helpful for cooking and productivity

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Occasional issues with timers not updating correctly
  • 🔋 Potential battery drain
  • 🔍 Ads can be intrusive

More Background Timer apps to explore

4
Timer Vibration Text Speech
Timer Vibration Text Speech
Timer Vibration Text Speech
Run in Lock and Background
Free

This app provides a vibration-based timer with text-to-speech functionality. It repeats alarms and vibrations at set intervals, displays elapsed time, and can run in the background or on the lock screen. Ideal for focused study sessions without audible alerts.

Vibration alarmsText-to-speech alertsBackground operation
📊 Productivity
(64)
ad-supported
5
(Not Boring) Timer
(Not Boring) Timer
(Not Boring) Timer
Loud, Readable & Not Boring
Free

This app offers a visually engaging and intuitive timer experience, inspired by simple egg timers. It features a unique overshoot function, a game-like interface with 3D animations, and customizable skins. Widgets provide quick access to timers for daily routines.

Overshoot and stopwatch modesGame-like 3D interfaceLarge, readable display
🔧 Utilities
(1.7K)
free with in-app purchases
6
Repeat Timer: Interval Remind
Repeat Timer: Interval Remind
Repeat Timer: Interval Remind
Multitimer Alarm Clock
Free

This app provides a simple and effective way to set up recurring reminders for various tasks and routines. It features customizable timers, optional interval cycles, and background operation with visual and audio notifications.

Customizable repeating timersOptional interval timer cyclesBackground operation with notifications
🔧 Utilities
(7.3K)
free with in-app purchases
7
Visual Countdown Timer
Visual Countdown Timer
Visual Countdown Timer
Fun visual timer
Free

This app uses a visual countdown to help children understand time and complete tasks. A picture is revealed as time elapses, and an exciting animation and sound reward completion. It aims to turn daily struggles into fun and encourage quicker task completion.

Visual countdown from green to redPicture revealed as time elapsesExciting sound and animation reward
📚 Education
(39K)
free with in-app purchases
8
Little Timer Hatch Countdown
Little Timer Hatch Countdown
Little Timer Hatch Countdown
Visual timer and reminder
Free

This app offers a fun, visual countdown timer designed for children. When the timer concludes, a surprise animated animal appears, making tasks engaging. It's ideal for managing routines, encouraging focus, and supporting children with special needs.

Visual countdown timerSurprise animated animal revealCustomizable sounds and visuals
📚 Education
(10K)
free with in-app purchases
9
Next Up - Interval Timer
Next Up - Interval Timer
Next Up - Interval Timer
Customizable interval timer
Free

Create and customize interval timers with detailed options for reps, sets, colors, and sounds. Offers flexible display modes, quick actions for navigation, and background notifications. Organize timers with folders and choose between light and dark themes.

Customizable intervals (reps, sets, colors, sounds)Detailed and full-screen display modesPortrait and landscape orientation support
💪 Health & Fitness
(2.8K)
free with in-app purchases
10
Seconds Pro Interval Timer
Seconds Pro Interval Timer
Seconds Pro Interval Timer
Tabata, HIIT, Circuit Training
$7.99

This interval timer app is designed for high-intensity interval training (HIIT), Tabata, and circuit training workouts. It features a large, color-coded display, customizable interval names, and background operation. It also integrates with Apple Health to track your fitness data.

Full screen colored displayTemplates for HIIT, Tabata, Circuit TrainingSpeaks interval names and provides warnings
💪 Health & Fitness
(11K)
paid
11
Interval Timer Plus
Interval Timer Plus
Interval Timer Plus
Simple interval timer
Free

This versatile timer app offers a simple yet powerful way to manage timed activities. Customize multiple intervals with individual colors and sounds, and save them as presets for quick access. It's designed for ease of use and visibility, even from a distance, and works seamlessly in the background.

Customizable intervalsNamed intervals with voice readoutIndividual colors and sounds
💪 Health & Fitness
(4.4K)
free with in-app purchases
12
Be Focused Pro - Focus Timer
Be Focused Pro - Focus Timer
Be Focused Pro - Focus Timer
Focus timer for work and study
$19.99

This app helps you stay focused and productive by breaking down tasks into timed intervals with short breaks. It offers task management, customizable timers, progress tracking, and cross-device synchronization. Achieve your goals with structured work sessions.

Task creation and managementCustomizable work and break intervalsProgress tracking and reports
📊 Productivity
(3K)
ad-supported
13
Black White Timer
Black White Timer
Black White Timer
Background transitions black
Free
🔧 Utilities
(0)
14
TickTune:Timer with Music
TickTune:Timer with Music
TickTune:Timer with Music
Play music and set timer
Free
🎵 Music
(28)
15
Simple Timer App
Simple Timer App
Simple Timer App
by Hayato Shimizu
Free

This utility app provides a straightforward timer experience by removing all non-essential features. It operates seamlessly in the background and delivers notifications even when the device is locked.

Simple timer functionalityBackground operationLock screen notifications
🔧 Utilities
(2)
free
16
SpeakTimer - Voice Alert Timer
SpeakTimer - Voice Alert Timer
SpeakTimer - Voice Alert Timer
Talking Countdown & Stopwatch
Free

This app provides customizable voice alerts for countdowns and stopwatches. Set specific spoken messages at chosen intervals or when timers end, even when the app is in the background. It's designed for easy use in various daily activities.

Customizable voice alertsSpeech at chosen intervalsBackground voice alerts
🔧 Utilities
(212)
free with in-app purchases
17
timer. - Multi Countdown Timer
timer. - Multi Countdown Timer
timer. - Multi Countdown Timer
Live Activities / Widget Timer
Free

Manage multiple countdown timers simultaneously with this intuitive app. Set custom names, sounds, and even use your own music for alarms. Access timers easily via widgets, Apple Watch, and Live Activities.

Multiple simultaneous timersCustomizable names and alarm soundsBackground timer operation
🔧 Utilities
(168)
free with in-app purchases
18
Seconds Interval Timer
Seconds Interval Timer
Seconds Interval Timer
Tabata, HIIT, Circuit Training
Free

This app provides a versatile interval timer for various workout types like Tabata, HIIT, and circuit training. It features a clear, full-screen display, customizable alerts, and background operation. Users can also utilize a stopwatch and countdown timer, with integration for Apple Health.

Full-screen colored displayTemplates for HIIT, Tabata, Circuit TrainingVoice and audio alerts
💪 Health & Fitness
(23K)
free with in-app purchases
19
Flip Timer & stopwatch
Flip Timer & stopwatch
Flip Timer & stopwatch
Use for fitness,workout,study
Free

This app offers a full-screen digital timer with a unique flip animation to visualize time progression. It also includes a stopwatch for tracking activities like workouts, study sessions, and work. Customize reminder sounds and background audio for an immersive experience.

Full-screen digital timerFlip animation for time visualizationCountdown timer
📊 Productivity
(7.5K)
free with in-app purchases
20
Multi Timer - free
Multi Timer - free
Multi Timer - free
by Hayato Shimizu
Free

A straightforward utility for managing multiple timers simultaneously. It focuses on essential functionality and operates efficiently in the background, even when the device is locked. Receive notifications to ensure you never miss a countdown.

Multiple simultaneous timersBackground operationLock screen notifications
🔧 Utilities
(11)
free