Best 9 Timer Plus Alternatives in 2026: Find Your Perfect Interval App
Introduction
Hyrox Workout & Timer: Sweat is our top timer plus alternative for HYROX athletes and anyone who wants a clean interval timer that stays out of the way. We tested 9 highly rated timer apps for HIIT, Tabata, CrossFit, and general fitness so you can find the right tool without the trial and error. Every pick works on iOS and Android, with no filler.
Quick comparison table
| App | Best for | Platform | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyrox Workout & Timer: Sweat | Top Pick – HYROX minimalist timer | iOS, Apple Watch | Freemium |
| Seconds Pro Interval Timer | Deeply customizable HIIT & Tabata | iOS, Android | Paid |
| SmartWOD Timer | Functional fitness and CrossFit modes | iOS, Android | Free / Freemium |
| Tabata Timer: Interval Timer | Simple Tabata and HIIT on Android | Android | Free |
| Interval Timer – HIIT Workouts | Polished iPhone timer with Apple Health | iOS | Freemium |
| Gymboss Interval Timer | Lifting, MMA, and run splits | iOS, Android | Freemium |
| Flex Timer | Group training and gym clock sync | iOS, Android | Freemium |
| WODster | Android workouts with built‑in WOD library | Android | Freemium |
| Multi Timer StopWatch | Running multiple layered timers at once | iOS, Android | Free / Paid |
Full breakdowns follow below.
The Best Timer Plus Alternatives
We start with the best overall HYROX timer and then move to specialized options for HIIT, CrossFit, and multi‑use. Every app was picked after real‑world testing for reliability, ease of setup, and workout‑specific strengths.
1. Hyrox Workout & Timer: Sweat
Best for: HYROX athletes and anyone chasing a clutter‑free interval timer that never steals focus.
This timer fades into the background so you stay locked on each station. The interface strips away everything except the essential countdown and station cues, no menus and no visual noise.
- One‑tap controls for running laps and station transitions mean zero menu‑diving mid‑workout.
- The disappearing display shows only the current interval, so you track the work without reading a dashboard.
- Free, ad‑free, and updated regularly based on HYROX community feedback.
- Official Race, Templates, Custom, and Saved Trainings modes cover everything from race simulations to your own circuits.
- Live distance tracking, session history with split times, and Apple Watch sync keep all your data handy.
Generic interval timers bury you in settings before you even start moving. Hyrox Workout & Timer gives you a race‑ready countdown that gets out of your way from the first tap. It’s a dependable timer for HYROX simulations, race day, or any functional circuit where pure concentration matters.
Get Hyrox Workout & Timer and grab Hyrox Workout & Timer on the App Store to start with 4 free sessions per month.
2. Seconds Pro Interval Timer
Best for: building intricate HIIT and Tabata templates with loud, clear prompts.
A large, color‑coded display and text‑to‑speech cues call out interval changes so you never glance down at the wrong moment. You can stack complex circuits, save unlimited templates, and share workouts with training partners. It runs in the background with your own music and works on iOS and Android, which makes it a favorite when you need deep customization without lag.
3. SmartWOD Timer
Best for: CrossFitters who need dedicated AMRAP, EMOM, For Time, and Tabata modes.
The interface stays intuitive and unfussy. Pick your mode, set the clock, and go. You see the time and nothing else, so the box stays distraction‑free. Available on both iOS and Android, it cuts out every ounce of clutter and gives you exactly what a functional‑fitness stopwatch should be.
4. Tabata Timer: Interval Timer
Best for: Android users who want work‑rest intervals with zero setup time.
Large, tap‑friendly controls let you set work and rest periods in seconds. Custom alarm sounds and background music support let you keep moving without wrestling with the app. The timer stays visible on screen for at‑a‑glance checks, ideal when your hands are too slick to scroll. It handles standard HIIT and Tabata protocols without adding complexity you don’t need.
5. Interval Timer – HIIT Workouts
Best for: iPhone owners looking for a polished, no‑ads interval timer that syncs with Apple Health.
The clean iOS interface lets you save customizable workout templates and run them with clear audio cues, even when the screen is locked. Completed sessions log automatically to Apple Health, so you see your HIIT minutes without manual entry. It’s a solid choice when you want a smooth, track‑everything experience on your iPhone.
6. Gymboss Interval Timer
Best for: weightlifters, MMA athletes, and runners who trust the Gymboss lineage.
The app mirrors the physical timer’s straightforward programming for rest periods, fight rounds, and run splits. An uncluttered layout stays true to the brand’s simplicity: no animated menus, just the numbers you need. It runs on both iOS and Android, and its veteran‑backed reputation keeps it in gym bags everywhere.
7. Flex Timer
Best for: coaches managing group circuits with gym clocks and heart‑rate monitors.
Sync with large wall clocks and Bluetooth HR monitors so everyone sees the same interval at once. Apple Watch control lets you start, stop, and peek at rounds from your wrist while you move around the room. Complex circuit rotations get real‑time visual cues, making it a solid pick when you’re running multiple athletes through a timed session.
8. WODster
Best for: Android‑exclusive functional‑fitness fans who want a timer plus a daily WOD library.
The built‑in timer covers AMRAP, EMOM, and For Time while a deep library of daily WODs keeps you inspired. You can log results, attach photos, and track progress without switching apps. If you live in the Android ecosystem and follow functional programming, WODster consolidates two tools into one tidy app.
9. Multi Timer StopWatch
Best for: running multiple simultaneous timers on one screen.
Create custom boards where a circuit timer, a rest countdown, and a met‑con clock all tick at once. It handles layered timing beyond fitness, like cooking, study sessions, or any routine that needs independent clocks. Available on iOS and Android, it’s the pick when a single timer isn’t enough to run your session.
How we picked these apps
We started by scanning app‑store ratings and recent updates, then moved into hands‑on testing across HIIT, Tabata, CrossFit, and HYROX‑style circuits. Key criteria were timer accuracy, loud audio cues, visibility in sweaty conditions, and workout‑specific modes like EMOM or AMRAP. We favored apps that got you moving in a few taps over feature‑bloated tools. By covering pure HYROX focus, deep HIIT customization, CrossFit‑ready modes, and multi‑timers, the list matches the real search intent behind “timer plus alternatives”.
Frequently asked questions
What is a “timer plus”?
A dedicated workout timer with programmable intervals, rounds, and rest, not the basic clock app on your phone. It’s built for structured training like Tabata, AMRAP, or HYROX simulations.
Is Hyrox Workout & Timer really free?
Yes. It is completely free to start, with no ads or hidden subscriptions. You get 4 sessions per month at no cost, and an optional Pro upgrade unlocks unlimited sessions.
Which app is best for CrossFit?
SmartWOD Timer is our top CrossFit pick. It has dedicated AMRAP, EMOM, and For Time modes and a clean interface that feels right at the box.
Can I play my own music with these timers?
Absolutely. All featured apps support background audio for music and podcasts. Just enable the setting in the app, and the timer cues will overlay your playlist.
Are these timers available on Android?
Hyrox Workout & Timer is iOS‑only, but every other app on the list works on Android (some are Android‑exclusive), so you have strong options regardless of your phone.
The verdict
Hyrox Workout & Timer: Sweat took the #1 spot because it delivers clean simplicity and focus for HYROX training. If you’re preparing for a race, grab it from the App Store and use a timer that gets out of your way. For workout logging, gym‑clock syncing, or running multiple clocks, apps like SmartWOD and Flex Timer fill those niches well. But for pure, race‑ready countdowns with zero distractions, nothing beats Hyrox Workout & Timer.