Best 7 Interval Training Timers in 2026: Top Picks Reviewed

Introduction

Home Workout Timer & Tracker is the best interval training timer for most people. It handles custom work and rest cycles without a lot of setup. This guide covers seven timer apps for HIIT, Tabata, circuits, running, and boxing. Every pick is easy to read mid-workout and quick to start when you are already moving.

Quick comparison table

1. Home Workout Timer & Tracker

Best for: building custom interval training timer sessions without fixed templates.

This is the interval timer I keep on my own phone for HIIT and circuits. You set work, rest, and rounds exactly how you want, then start the timer in a few taps. There are no forced templates, but the app still includes template packs for Tabata, HIIT, strength, bodyweight, and core.

On iPhone, the display is large enough to read from across the room. Audio cues make the current phase obvious when you are not looking at the screen. The timer runs reliably in the background, so you can lock your phone or switch apps without losing your place. It handles multiple interval formats, from strict Tabata to longer circuits with custom rest periods. It stays out of the way, which is what a training timer should do.

Standout features:

• Custom builder for work, rest, rounds, exercises, and saved trainings.
• Template packs for Tabata, HIIT, strength, bodyweight, and core.
• Optional location tracking for live distance on running segments.
• Big mid-workout display with clear audio cues.

Get Home Workout Timer & Tracker · Home Workout Timer & Tracker on the App Store

2. Seconds Interval Timer

Best for: Apple users who want loud voice prompts and structured Tabata or HIIT sessions.

Seconds Interval Timer is a solid choice if you want a full-screen color display and clear countdown cues during hard efforts. The voice prompts are loud enough to hear over gym noise, and the prebuilt library covers Tabata, HIIT, AMRAP, and more. If you track workout minutes and heart rate, Apple Health integration records them for you. The interface looks a little dated, but the timer itself is reliable. Choose this one if you would rather follow a structured session than build a custom interval training timer from scratch.

3. Interval Timer: Tabata Workout

Best for: Android users who want a built-in calendar log of their training sessions.

This Android app handles HIIT, CrossFit, running intervals, and custom presets without much setup. Its standout feature is a built-in calendar that tracks workout consistency, so you don’t need a separate spreadsheet or notebook. You can set work and rest cycles, save routines, and review training history right inside the app. The free version may show ads unless you upgrade, but the timer itself is straightforward. If seeing your training streak next to your interval timer matters, this one is a practical pick.

4. Simple Interval Timer

Best for: a clean, distraction-free timer for running, cycling, and HIIT.

Simple Interval Timer keeps the countdown front and center and strips out extra menus. You set work, rest, and cooldown periods without wading through a workout builder. Apple Watch support and background heart rate tracking make it useful for running and cycling intervals. It's a good fit if you already know your plan and just want a reliable clock. The app won't coach you or suggest sessions, but it runs quietly in the background and stays readable.

5. Interval Timer: HIIT & Tabata

Best for: offline HIIT timers with a minimalist Android design.

This app is built for quick starts. You set prep, work, and rest intervals in a few taps, then hit start. The high-contrast display stays readable on a gym floor, even from a distance. It works without an internet connection, so it is reliable in basements, garages, or any spot with poor signal. There is no clutter. That makes it a good pick when you just need a simple interval timer for Tabata, HIIT, or circuits. The free version may include ads, but the core timer works without a paid upgrade.

6. Interval Timer Plus

Best for: large color-coded interval names and traffic light-style cues.

Interval Timer Plus uses big fonts and red, yellow, and green phases to show the current interval at a glance. It can read interval names aloud, which helps for complex circuits or coach-led group workouts. Advanced custom presets let you build multiple work and rest blocks with recovery periods. The traffic light style makes it easier to know whether you should be working, resting, or finishing a round without reading small text. It is especially useful for trainers who run group classes or anyone who programs varied intervals.

7. Interval Timer: Workout Timer

Best for: combat sports and WOD-style timers on Android.

Workout Timer includes custom rest and work cycles, a boxing timer tool, and a WOD clock. Audio ducking keeps voice cues clear over your music, so you can hear round starts without pausing your playlist. The vibrant color coding helps separate rounds without reading small text. It is a versatile option for heavy bag work, pad rounds, or conditioning circuits that need flexible intervals. The interface may feel busier than a stripped-down timer, but that's the tradeoff for having multiple timer types in one Android app.

How we picked these apps

We looked for interval timers that handle prep, work, rest, and rounds without complicated setup. Large displays, voice or audio cues, and background reliability were prioritized. We compared iOS and Android coverage so the list works no matter which device you use. We skipped apps that forced you to pay before testing basic timer features. Home Workout Timer & Tracker earned the top spot because of custom control and workout-ready simplicity.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best interval training timer?

Home Workout Timer & Tracker is the best interval training timer for most people. It adapts to any work and rest setup without forcing you into fixed templates.

Do interval training timers have free versions?

Most interval timers have free versions. Android apps often remove ads through a one-time purchase or subscription. iOS apps may lock advanced features behind a paid upgrade.

Should I use a Tabata timer or a general running timer?

If your workout alternates work and rest periods, a Tabata or HIIT interval timer is the right tool. A general running timer works better for steady distance or simple lap splits. Background reliability can vary depending on your phone's battery settings, but these picks are built to keep counting while locked.

The verdict

Home Workout Timer & Tracker is the top pick because it keeps setup simple and your workout moving. Other apps fill specific needs like Apple Health integration, Android calendars, boxing rounds, and extra voice cues. If you want one interval training timer that handles custom work and rest cycles without overcomplicating things, this is the one. Get Home Workout Timer & Tracker and start your next interval session.