Best 8 Crossfit Timers in 2026: Reviewed for Interval Training

If you need a crossfit timer that stays out of your way so you can focus on the work, Hyrox Workout & Timer is the one to beat. We tested timers built for CrossFit, HYROX, and functional fitness, checking for visibility, accuracy, and simple operation. You’ll find free gym-clock replicas, multi-mode workhorses, and a dedicated HYROX companion.

Quick comparison

1. Hyrox Workout & Timer

Best for: a no-distraction HYROX timer that fades into the background.

Hyrox Workout & Timer strips away everything you don’t need. It was built for HYROX events, so you get only the essential countdown and station structure. No extras, no menus, no clutter. The high-contrast digits are large and readable at a glance, even mid-burpee. If you want a crossfit timer that values simplicity over feature bloat, this is our top recommendation.

• Start a session and tap to mark each station complete. The app handles all timing silently.
• Build custom sessions with your own stations, distances, reps, and order.
• Live distance tracking on supported segments with optional location.
• Pause, resume, skip, and undo actions without breaking flow.
• Full session history with split times, plus metric/imperial switching.
• Works on iPhone and Apple Watch, with auto-sync for active sessions and settings.

Get Hyrox Workout & Timer

2. SmartWOD Timer

Best for: Android users wanting an all-round functional fitness timer.

SmartWOD Timer gives you dedicated modes for AMRAP, EMOM, For Time, and Tabata in a clean, no-fuss interface. Switching between workout types is quick. You don’t have to dig through menus between rounds. The display stays sharp on both phones and tablets, making it easy to read from a distance in a busy gym.

3. Box Timer

Best for: a free, ad-free gym clock replica.

Box Timer recreates the classic red-LED clock you’d find in any CrossFit box. There are no ads and no payments, just an interval timer that looks and sounds the part. It runs in the background and plays audio cues over your music, so you never miss a start or stop even in a loud training environment. iOS only, completely free.

4. WodTimer: CrossFit Gym Timer

Best for: large-group visibility with a signature flip-clock animation.

WodTimer’s animated number transitions are not just satisfying. They make the clock easy to read from across the room. Accuracy is rock-solid, and haptic alerts plus background support mean the timer keeps rolling with the screen off. It’s a paid app with no ads, focused purely on delivering a premium timing experience.

5. Crossfit timer - WOD timer

Best for: Android users who want a dead-simple, far-readable WOD clock.

This app prioritizes one thing: a display you can read from the other end of the gym floor. The numbers stay clear even at distance, and it handles running intervals, calisthenics, and standard gym sessions beyond just CrossFit metcons. It won’t win customization awards, but it absolutely nails the basics.

6. TimerWOD - Workout Timer

Best for: an ad-free iOS timer that turns your phone into a wall clock.

TimerWOD supports AMRAP, EMOM, and Tabata with a landscape mode that mimics the look of a familiar gym timer. There are no ads or paid upgrades, so all features are included from the start. Large numerals and clear audio cues make it a dependable companion for any timed workout.

7. Timer+

Best for: a flexible multi-segment timer that scales from quick intervals to all-day countdowns.

Timer+ handles simple set-rest patterns just as easily as full multi-block training sessions with custom labels. While it works well as a crossfit timer, it’s equally useful as a Pomodoro clock or HIIT coach. The interface is clean, and optional haptic feedback keeps you on track without looking. iOS only.

8. Time2WOD

Best for: a dedicated WOD timing app with an uncluttered home-gym feel.

Time2WOD stays focused on what matters: timing your WODs without generic timer clutter. The easy-to-read display and essential modes like For Time and AMRAP cover most functional-fitness routines. It lacks deep customization, but if you just need a reliable clock that doesn’t get in the way, it delivers.

How we picked these apps

We tested each app against a few non-negotiables. Visibility had to be solid from 10–20 feet away. If you can’t glance at the clock mid-set, it fails. Background operation and audio or haptic alerts were mandatory, with cues loud enough to cut through a playlist. We looked for minimal lag when starting or resetting a timer.

The range of interval types mattered too: AMRAP, EMOM, Tabata, custom work-rest ratios, and HYROX-specific structures. We prioritized apps that keep the clock front and center rather than burying it behind layers of menus. Apps also had to stay readable under bright gym lights.

Finally, we balanced free and paid options. Free apps had to deliver core reliability without bombarding you with ads. Box Timer and TimerWOD are great examples. Paid and freemium apps needed to justify their cost with extra polish or specific features.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best timer app for CrossFit?

Hyrox Workout & Timer is our top pick for HYROX-focused training, while SmartWOD Timer, Box Timer, and TimerWOD are excellent CrossFit-specific options. Your choice depends on whether you need a dedicated station-by-station flow or a more general gym clock.

Can I use these for HIIT or Tabata?

Yes. Nearly every app on this list includes a custom interval builder that works perfectly for Tabata, HIIT, or any work-rest protocol. Timer+ and SmartWOD Timer are particularly flexible for multi-segment designs.

Do these apps work with music playing?

All the timers we recommend support background audio, so your music keeps playing. They overlay cues or sound alerts on top of your playlist, which is essential in a loud gym or when your phone is across the room.

Are they free?

Several are. Box Timer is completely free and ad-free. TimerWOD is free with no ads. Hyrox Workout & Timer offers a free tier with 4 sessions per month, and a Pro upgrade for unlimited use. Others like WodTimer and Time2WOD are paid upfront, while SmartWOD Timer and Timer+ use a freemium model.

Do I need a specialized timer for HYROX?

You don’t strictly need one. Any interval timer can work, but a focused app like Hyrox Workout & Timer eliminates on-the-fly fiddling. It’s built around the station format, so you can move from one exercise to the next without touching your phone.

The verdict

Hyrox Workout & Timer remains our go-to crossfit timer for minimalist, station-by-station HYROX training. Its laser focus on the HYROX format means zero distractions, just the countdown you need, right when you need it. For broader CrossFit clock styles, Android flexibility, or a completely free option, the other picks above have you covered. Simplify your sessions. Get Hyrox Workout & Timer.